When I met Lalage in Sumner Place, she was working as a volunteer with the ‘Samaritans’ and preaching in Hyde Park Corner alongside Miles Dempsey. They were both great witnesses for Christ and the Catholic church.
Among the many friends she introduced me to, was a young man called Dicky Surman who was a devoted Christian and much given to helping others.
At that time, I was living in a tiny room off Queensgate in South Kensington. One day, a haggard young man turned up at my door and said he had been told by Dicky Surman that he should come and see me. He was clearly ill and running a fever but, nonetheless, his energy stayed with him, and he was very keen to sit down and talk. So, talk we did. He told me that he was a teacher at the famous ‘Summerhill’ school which was renowned for its unique way of dealing with students, especially those with problems. There was quite a lot of controversy about this school since they gave their students the choice of attending, or not attending, lessons. But for many people it worked well, and the school is still in existence to this day.
This young man was not a Catholic but had gone to see Padre Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo even though he was not sure he would see him. Little did he know that Padre Pio was more than keen to meet people of good will of any persuasion. He told me that the journey to San Giovanni was extraordinarily difficult, and he had one problem after another on his way. Eventually he made it to the monastery of Santa Maria Delle Grazie and to his delight, Padre Pio laid hands on him and prayed. He assured me that at that moment, the peace that came upon him was indescribable. He felt complete and utter joy.
Regrettably there was only one bed in my tiny room, and he looked very unwell. He was perspiring profusely. I gave him the bed to sleep on and I made myself a makeshift bed on the floor.
The next morning, he woke up looking well and fully restored. He removed the sheet from the bed and, with a smile, wrung it out, filling a glass with the perspiration that came from it. He was in good spirits.
He ate a little snack, thanked me for my kindness and for listening to his story and disappeared out of the door.
That was the last I saw of him, but I often smile when I think of that unusual visit.
His account of the difficulties he encountered during his journey, also reminds me not to be discouraged by the obstacles that the enemy puts in our way. It can often be a bit of a bumpy road when we follow a call to do what God wants of us. The Lord, however, knows what He has in mind and is there every step of the way.