A PRIEST'S PRAYERS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 9, 20 June 1884, Page 23

A PRIEST'S PRAYERS.

Rev. Julks GiasrmAsrc, CM , is probably tb.3 oldest priest in th'n cicy. He wa3 born in Genoa, in Italy., in 18L0, and was educated for the priesthood in Paris under the direction of the LizarUt Fathers. He came to this city soon after his ordination and became pastor of the chapel of the Immaculate Conception, on Druid Hill Aye., whicb is now used as a sjhjol-house. When the present Church of the Immaculate Conception w.is built in 1852, he was placed iv charge, and has continued in that position ever since. The parish, which was at one time one of the largest in tne city, is now very small, having been cut by the erection of Pius Memorial, St. Charles Borrjmeo, aad Corpas Christi Churches, all of which hive baen erected in the past few years. Although Father Giustiniani is now in his 74th year, he looks remarkably well. About thirty years ago thieves got into his house after midnight and were about to depart with their plunder when he detected them. la the scuflid which followed, Father Giustiniani received what was then supposed to b 3 a mortal wonnd in the left side, inflicted by. a large knife in the hands of one of the burglars. In latter years, whenever his experience with the burglars ia referred to by anyone, he always replies : •' Yes, I thank God for sparing my life, but the wound let the bad blood out of me.' A number of remarkable cures are s-iid to have bjen effected through the prayers of the venerable priest. When spoken to yesterday on thu subject by an American rep>rter, he positively refused to take any credit upon himself, but said a number of special favours had been obtained by persons who prayed before the Stitue of the Immaculate Conception, which stands over the main altar in the church of that nacno. i'lie statue is iife-siza and is very handsome. The cloak, which is carelessly thrown aroand the shoulders, ia of blue, with a border of gold, wuile the dress ani the girdle are of white. Around tha head is a cro.vn of golden sUrs, wniuh are made ti reflict brilliantly by the altar light, which burns continuously directly in front of the statue. A Catholic gentlem m who has lived iv the neighbourhood' of the church ever since it was built, mentioned to the ieporter several remarkable cures, which, he said, were effected in the church. One was that of a young girl about 18 years of age, who was born a deaf-mute. She made a nuvena, or nine days' prayer, before the statue, and on the last day she came out of the church, with both, hearing and speech restored. Another case is that of a blind boy who regained his sight in the same manner. ' f These cure^" said our informant, " were known only to a limited number of persons for many years, but now I presume they are generally kuown. There have been quite a number of cures of chronic disease of the eye effected before the statue."— Baltimore American.