The wonders which God wrought, by the ministration of his servant, gave farther confirmation to the Christian law. The saint walking out one day upon the sea-shore, met certain fishers, who were spreading their empty nets, and complained of their bad fortune. He had pity on them, and, after making some short prayers, he advised them to fish once more. They did so on his word, and took so many fish, and of such several sorts, that they could hardly draw their nets. They continued their fishing for some days after with the same success; and what appears more wonderful, the sea of Cangoxima, which was scarce of fish, from that time forward had great plenty.
A woman, who had heard reports of the cures which the apostle had made in the Indies, brought him her little child, who was swelled over all the body, even to deformity. Xavier took the infant in his arms, looked on him with eyes of pity, and pronounced thrice over him these words, “God bless thee;” after which, he gave the child back to his mother, so well and beautiful, that she was transported with joy and admiration.
This miracle made a noise about the town; and gave occasion to a leper to hope a cure for his disease, which he had sought in vain for many years. Not daring to appear in public, because his uncleanness had excluded him from the society of men, and made him loathsome to all companies; he sent for Xavier, who at that time happened to be engaged in business, and could not come; but deputed one of his companions to visit him; giving orders to ask him thrice, if he was content to believe in Christ, in case he should be healed of his leprosy; and thrice to make the sign of the cross over him, if he promised constantly to embrace the faith. All things passed according to the commission of the Father: the leper obliged himself to become a Christian, upon the recovery of his health; and the sign of the cross was no sooner made over him, but his whole body became as clean as if he had never been infected with leprosy. The suddenness of the cure wrought in him to believe in Christ without farther difficulty, and his lively faith brought him hastily to baptism.
But the most celebrated miracle which Xavier wrought in Cangoxima, was the resurrection of a young maid of quality. She died in the flower of her youth, and her father, who loved her tenderly, was ready to go distracted with his loss. Being an idolater, he had no source of comfort remaining for his affliction; and his friends, who came to condole with him, instead of easing, did but aggravate his grief. Two new Christians, who came to see him before the burial of his daughter, advised him to seek his remedy from the holy man, who wrought such wonders, and beg her life of him, with strong assurance of success.