The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-12-05
THE FIFTH DAY OF THE FORTNIGHT.


In consequence of the Injunction laid upon
him by the commssary of police, Soubirous>
on his return home, positively forbade Berpad-
cite to set her foot near the grotto. Thsf poor
child was deeply grieveG but she resolved to
observe her fathers prohibition, Indooility
was as foreign to her nature, /as was false
hood.
On Monday, February 231d, she was hurried
| off to school betimes. New trials awaited her.
Her loving heart waS already crushed by tho
| blow Inflicted upon it,-she was to experience
the keener pangs ofridicule. Her schoolmates
made her the/ butt of their cutting gibs, and
unfeeling> taunts. Nay, the Sisters even laugh
| ed at hsf. They alsu interdcted the grottO,
as forbidden ground for her. They had no
| faith in the Apparition God 30 permitted it.
lThe poor child felt completely bewildered.
She was determined 10 disregard the will
neither of her father nor of the Sisters but she
was persuaded that it was wrong on her part
not to stand 20 the promise made to the mystic
rous Lady, good, so beautiful, so beloved
Providence solved the problem. Bsrnadette
issues from the school-room Immediately an
Irresistible impulse seized upon her and bore
her away towards the grotto the withered
| leaf is not more helplessly whirled about by
the passing gust. She was kneeling at her
well known place how she had reached it,
! She knew not.
numerous gathering of people had been
! stationed around the spot during the whole
morning, impatiently awaiting the appearance
Of the scor. Not few had even prolonged
their stay until her arrival Mt half past twelve
or thcreabouts.
Alas for Bernadette! Days crowd fast upon
the heels of each other; but their burden is
not always alike. She poured out her whole
soul in fervent prayer oft and oft did she
+ strain her longing eyes upon the recess n the
! rock,-her beads were recited over and over
| aCain-all in vain. Naught, but the fro ming
rock responded to her ardent gaze. The
minutes sw by uucounted still Bernadett0
perse yered in earnest entreaty, uselcssly. At
length, overwhelmed with grief, the child
arose in tears. To all questions, she answered
| with the utmost Weakness To-day the Lady
has not shown herself to me. l have seen
nothing" Some greeted her words with
mockery and sarcastic quibs. "On all the
other days saw her as 1 see you" protested
Barnadette, "but to-day she has not come, and
l do not know Why"
She retained home weeping and praying
"Have committed any fault" murmured she
to herself. Her conscience reProsched her
with nothing reprehensibe. Notwithstanding
her bitter disappoi tment, she was foil Of hope
and confidence.
"where have you been" inquired her father
the moment she entered the house. She told
her simple tale. you say that some power
outside of you bore you thithsr without any
act of your will" at is even SO, father" re-
piled Bernadette This must be trus" thought
he "the child has never uttered an untruth.'
After q moment of reelection, be spoke out
resolutely: "Well, since such is the case, NO
longer forbid you to go to the grotto,' II leave
you free" This unbOped for permission amply
cousoled Bernadette for all her PaugS Of the
day. ,-.,...,.u.s,