The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-12-12
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING. DECEMBER H. 1875

passionate spectators, "poor child. she il
burnt" Not muscle moved in her face /; n.
| shrinking of the hand was perceptible, and
| the flame left no trace of its action.
Fixed in statue-like immobility, drawn
heavenwards by powerful and marvellous
attraction, Barnedette was really beautiful
| Her appearance filled the beholders with as
| tonfshment Her beauty consisted not in the
| rosy hues and pink like tintings that flush the
| beaming features of child; beauty that
eHcifs from as smile of pleasure when our
eyes rest upon it. Hers was beauty of sups-
rior order, not encountered among the busy
| scenes of this Vulgar world.
The cheeks were extremely pale, but ira
versed az with the transparency of q celestial
radiance A delicate ruddiness, just tipping
the lips and cheek. bones, alone relieved this
preternatural pallor. From the uplifted eyes,
that glistened with happiness, darted forth
eager, burning looks. Not a wnkipg of the
eyelids interrupted the avidity of her gaze.
The fascinated orbs seemed transixed by a
ray of the most vivid light. A slight tremor
OF the lips was occasionally noticed but they
generally remained quietly closed. Over the
whole face glittered the reflection of unspeak-
able delight. The countenauce was still
further frightened by a smile of inexpressible
softness, just ripping it's smooth surface.
Admiration and wonder, mingled with bound
less love, shone forth without shadow, in the
presence of a Being, 80 good and so sublime.
From time to time two warm tears like pearly
dew-drops would swell out from the open eye
lids, and roll silently down the marble check
Bernadette was ever on her knees, but her
body seemed to be animated by an upward
tendency. Any one seeing the charms and
beauties that TRANSPORTED her features, would
have thought that she was preparing to soar
aloft. Everybody felt that she was happy;
inundated with an unknown blissfulness
Earth was far removed from her thoughts
she belonged no more to this world.
Those around her lowered their voices to
the softest tones when they spoke, for fear of
disturbing her. 'She sees, oh yes, she does
see" whispered they to each other.
All the powers and faculties of the child
were held spell-bouud by the Vision. What
passed around her was incapable of attracting
her attention for o moment. This extraordi-
nary state, during which she was 50 lost to
visible things, lasted full hour
The surrounding multitudes, struck with
profound awe at SO wonderful a spectacle, the
full meaning of which escaped their scrutiny,
felt that they were assisting at communica.
tlons from the other world, and that heaven
had transported itself nearer to them. They
imposed the most rigid restraint upon all their
motions, in order that nothing might break
the solemn silence, clash with the feelings
of strict decorum and deep respect, that har-
monized so we'll with the scene. The ga, ap-
Peared to hear nothing; her mother aud her
auuts shielded her against the unavoidable
surgings of 80 vast a concourse.
With peering glances and unremitting study !
the spectators eEdeavored to read upon the |
ecstasied face of Bernadette some trace, some |
outline of the unseen Presence
they scanned every line with unwavering
scrutiny they fixed their eyes upon hers, as
On an undimmed mirror, in order to detect
some reflection of the heavenly cause that rem
lered her so beautiful. Then even with the
that their search would be fruit
ess, they cast longing, lingering looks into
'he cavity OF the rock cold, empty, meaning
less for them.
Finally, after this long trance, passed in
Happy smiles and delicious tears, in mysterious
'olloquies caught by no mortal ear, beneath
he untiring gaze of an immense assemblage,
III electrified by the neighborhood of q super
natural Being, Bernadette, still kneeling,
'owed with the greatest ease and dignity,
aluted respectfully again and again, showing
pon her countenance signs of sorrow and re-
ret, as at a separation, then heaved deep
rawn sigh. Her whole being
Gems to sink down from it's elevation; the
CELESTIAL reflection dies away, her smiles dissp-
'ear her eyes grow ldstreless, an underlined
adness and an expression of lassitude over
pread her features; her wonderful pallor
-anishes beneath the rsviving hues Of her
lsuSl complexion. The reSplendent Lady with
lSAving slowly into theintsriOr Of the cavern