The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-12-19
Translated for Morning Star from the French Of
Mgr de Segur
THE WONDERS OF L0URDES.
XIII.

APPARITIoN OF TUESDAY, FEB. 23D-TIRsT BE-
CRET AND DEMAND OF SANCTUARY.
By making her presence sensible to little
Bernadette so many times in succession, the
Blessed Virgin established her influence and
strengthened her power over the favored child
more and more every day, and thus prepared
her for her mission. The people also, by the
multiplied prodigy of this pesceful ecstacy,
were becoming gradually disposed to heerken
to the humble daughter of the obscure
soubirous as the interpreter Of the will of
heaven.
The Mother of God was at length to reveal,
by the fundamentally of the child, the merci-
fol designs that attracted her so repeatedly to
this unknown grotto. The exterior acts re-
quired of Bernadette for the accomplishment
Of her mission began on Tuesday, Feb. 23d. the
| sixth day of the miraculous fortnight.
The Blessed Virgin, who in the eyes Of
kDegnadette was still the unknown Lady, had
I indeed spoken to her in the preceding appAri-
tions, and the child had also held converse
with Her; but in these colloquies full Of
sweetest mystery, the Queen Of Heaven had
given expression to no positive command. She
began to issue her orders on Tuesday, Feb.
23rd.
Through the closely jammed files of eight or
ten thousand spectators, Bernadette, as usual,
reached the grotto about dawn. She cast her
self upon her knees, on the accustomed spot,
somewhat outside of the cavity. Her left hand
rested on blessed candle; in her right were
held the beads.
Suddenly the beloved voice Of the Sovereign
of Paradise strikes her attentive ear. Ia softest
tones the Virgin pronounced her name Ber"a
dette" "I am here" answered the child
promptly. "Ihare to tell you, for yourself alone
secret ,chich concerns you alone, Do you prOnis
nerer to reveal it to human being ?" II do Promis
it."
The dialogue continued. Although tn
Blessed Virgin and the child spoke in @ lou'
+ voice, not one of the bystanders heard sylla
BILE. "How is it possible that you did not hea
HerW exclaimed Bernsdette at the end OF he
= ecstasy. "Yet the Lady spoke loud. She ha
so sweet, so gentle voice."
a The Blessed Virgin next taught her prayer
= with maternal condescension causing her t.
b repeat word after word. The child thenoefort
: recited this prayer at every apparition; bu
= : che has never wished to make it known.
"And no,U, my daughter, go tell the priests that
sanctuary must be erected here, and that procession
It must be made to the spot" These words close
q the apparition Of this day.
From the Msssabieille Rocks Bernadette be
= took herself straightway to the presbytery
a The parish priest of Lourdes had never till no'
v held any communication with her. Are 20
vt not Bernadette" inquired he in o tone of sever
Q reserve. "I am, sir" meekly replied the hum
). BILE messenger of the Blessed Virgin. "Wel
Bernadette, what do you wsntf What bring
J. YOU to met" az come, sir, on the part OF tn
10 Lady that appears to me at the Massabieill
t. protto" The priest feigned to receive th
d message as q matter of very slight Importance
% he even pretended certain incredulity on To
4 whole subject.
n The child, with unaffected simplicity an
20 unassumiug confidence, repeated the iDjun
st1 tions of the Apparition. "And you do NJ
= know the name of the LsdyT demanded Il
priest. "No, cir, she has not told me who 81
4" "Those who do not deem you an impOste
- imagine that it is the Blessed Virgin. Bu
to beware! You alone cay that you see Her.
N Won are spreading falseb Ood, you enter on
"a track that will lead you far from the sight
D. the Blessed Virgin in heaven" do n
y know If che be the Blessed Virgin" answers
no no Bernadette, shut sec the Vision as distinct
81 as see you, and she speaks to me as truly
I'M Won do. And by her orders come to tell y
of that she desires sanctuary TO be built at t
I'D Masssbieille Rocks, where abe appears to mt
or Struck with profound interior emotion, t
worthy Fir. Peyramale required BeEnadette
- rive the exact terms employed by the Lady
=. She arosto. "Afssr cSnf2ing 70 Ee The seer