The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-11-14
THE WONDERS OF LOURDES.


TRANSLATED for the Morning Star from the French of
Mgr. de Segur
From the purest sources have the details
contained in the following pages been drawn
70 work of which the excellence has been
duly appreciated not in France alone, but also
in lands far beyond her boundaries, am 1 in
debted for the most precious portion of my
narrative-I allude to the admirable book OF
my friend, Mr.. Henry Lssserre. Vagueness
and inexactitude are the prime factors of
superficial compilations Mr.. Lasserre would
have none of these defects in his writings.
He determined to see everything, to hear
everything, to judge of everything, in person.
Month after month glided away still month
after month was he to be found soiourninP
amid the hills of Lourdes, or roaming among
the mountain peaks and romantic dells of the
adjacent districts. Tireless in his pious ex-
plorations, he was deferred by no copsdera-
ton, either of expense or of fatigue, from GO
ing In quest of those whom pnblic rumor re-
ported to have been. in their bodily infirmi-
ties, the objects of miraculous intervention.
Thus, from the very lips of the miracle itself
30 to say, did he elicit the story of heavenly
mercy. In this manner, his testimony may be
truly said to be, not his own he is but a
secretary employed by others to interpret their
thoughts and feelings; nay, to reproduce their
very exact words. But, he is q secretary of
scrupulous fidelity; inspired, however, and
warmed Ito his task by an entire, an ardent
faith in the facts of which he is the chroni-
cler those others are either actors, or eye
witnesses, in the marvels which are enacted
in the midak of M
have in the next place been an assd uous
borrower from the "Annals of Our Lady of
Lourdes." This monthly publication is issued
by the Jealous miss ionaries to whom the care
of the Sanctuary is contided. Facts which
they have seen with their own eyes,-recitals
which they have heard with their own ears,
events occurring on the spot itself, drawings
taken from nature such is the only matter
admitted By them into their collection. More
over, each number is sanctioned by the episco-
pal appreciation of the diocese. In the scenes
that daily pass before their eyes, the mission
aries always occupy the most favorable points
of observation this circumstance adds re-
doubled weight to their authority.
Justly may those from whom have derived
all my information, exclaim, in the words Of
the Apostle st. John: "That which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes,
which we have looked upon, and our hands
have handled, that which we have seen and
have heard, we declare unto you end these
things we write to you, that you may ejoice,
and your joy may be full"
Should any number of the Annals or a COPY
of Mr.. Lasserre's book find its way into your
hands, thrust it not heedlessly by peruse its
pages with attention therein, believe me, you
will find consolation, joy, hope, and perhaps,
may 1 add, conversion.
In the following briefsketch of the wonders
of Lourdes, 1 have, at my discretion, abridged,
or even ut times, slightly modified the form of
the narratives but the substance remains I'M
touched. The scrupulous exactitude, and all
the merit of my little work, if merit there be,
is entirely due to the pious compilers of the
Annals" and to the eloquent historian OF our
Lady of Lourdes.
1t is almost unnecessary for me to declare |
here that do not pretend to forestall in any |
way, the official Judgment. of the Church |
touching the miraculous nature of the facts |
ldduced such declaration is always under
stood from a Catholic author. Although,
nay propose these facts as miracles, as reali-
les of an order incontestibly supernatural, as
of divine power; disclaim all
notion of infringing upon the rights of eccles
asticai authority sole supreme arbfter, en-
powered to decide questions SO delicate, and SO
important.
E4-voTos
On the seventeenth day Of October, 1869, in
he midst of loving family circle, my mother
vas most suddenly seized by a very violent
disorder ;.in few hours she was reduced to
A skillful physician frankly warn
d me of the danger certain symptoms of nm
uistakable gravity. left no ground fOS kope.