21. Of the ham given to the poor, and miraculously replaced by another

When on one occasion the pious and pitiful virgin Lydwine had learnt that ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM some poor people had not eaten meat for a long time because of their want, and as she had not at that moment any flesh meat to give them, she sent to the house of a certain friend, begging him to boil a ham and send it to her. Which he willingly did, and sent. And she divided the meat cooked and pre pared into parts, and without delay sent it on to the aforesaid poor whom she knew to be in need. But the almighty and merciful God, Who knows the hearts of all and leaves no good unrewarded, rendered a swift return to the charity of this benefactor even in the present. For entering his house, and looking up by chance to the pieces of meat that were hanging, he saw, which is wonderful to relate, in the place of the ham taken away and sent to the virgin for the refreshment of the poor, another hanging better and finer. Which many hearing, rendered thanks to Almighty God; and thereafter were much more devoted to her, willingly giving whatever white meats the virgin asked of them to feed the poor.