The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-12-12


had faded away the cleaning light glittere
awhile after her departure, gradually sanl
and was no moro. Bernadette beheld ane'
her mother, her aunt, the crowd: she had re
entered the circle Of her everyday life.
The noise increased the multitudes wer
slowly dispensing. A rush WAS made toward
Bernadette; but her mother and aunt, VIII
were by her side, led her on homewards
securing her, as far as possible, from the i'm
portunities of unsated curiosity. The child
supported by these two, cfimed up the de
cIivity. A numerous crowd followed her step
] towards her humble homo.
Surprised at seeing this little minder o.
sheep salute with so much grace aud dignity
at the end of her ecstasy. q lady asked her on.
| day: "Bnt, Bernadette, who has taught yor
| to bow so charmingly." "No one," answered
she with astonishment, I" do not know how
/ bow; but strive to do exactly as the Vision
does, and she salutes me in that manner when
she wishes to go away"
What has preceded is q real, matter of fact
description of Bernadette in ecstasy, so far as
youthful pen can produce the reality-not O
line has been added by the touch of fancy
on the contrary, the fullness of that reality baf
not been reached
Now, what did the fortunate child behold
thousand times has she repeated the assu-
rance that she was unable to say.
However, by long, patient and minute ques-
tionings, an Ingenious, and, I may add, o
legitimate curiosity, has elected the following
details from the little seer.
XII.
THE HEAVENLY BEAUTIES OF THE VISION.
In the midst of an ever increasing splendor,
eucompassed with floods of softest light, which
gilded the niche, and projected their lengthen.
ing beams over the whole rock, appeared the
mysterious Lady. Her feet rested on the wild
briar.
And the Lady was surprisingly beautiful
Her countenance was one of heavenly mild
ness. of incompatible charm, of youthful as.
pect Her looks were of melting tenderness;
her smiles of unequalled benignityr springiug
from the promptings of a maternal heart. But
blended with this unutterable benevolence,
exalting aud dignity ing this freshness of youth,
there shone forth from her person q grandeur
and majesty with which the child could find,
in her intelligence, no equivalent term of com.
parison.
AFTER bernAuette nau EelaEeut over ana over
again, these details, in answer to the number
less questions which poured in upon her. and
which were the means of drawing from her
particulars that she wouId never have thought
of describing, she would add, with an accent of
awe stricken wonder: ooh, she was beautiful!
beautiful! :" more han syerythiag."
One day, in the centre of g brilliant circle,
where many noble and distinguished ladies
were standing, she was asked: WAS she as
beautiful as these ladies'" "Oh" answered
the child, casting dsdainful glance upon the
group, " much more than that"
The Virgin always wore her dazzling white
robe, contracted at the throat into many o
graceful fold, by a running string that fsstens
it to the neck. The sleeves fitted it close.
veil alone covered the head, as far as the line
of the forehead. 1t adapted itself to the curve
Of tho brow, and thence fell in undnlating
folds over the shoulders to the ground. A deep
blue sash encircled the waist. The two ends !
were of unusual width, but without any |
species of ornament; knotted with q single |
tie, they hung in front, far below the knees.
The feet appeared beneath the border of the
robe; upon the upper surface of each bloomed
\ fu1l-blown rose Of a bright, golden color.
Over one of her arms dangled a long rosary
With white glistening beads and golden chain
nd cross.
All these beauties stood forth in blaze OF
glorious light, soft and Subdued, however, as
he impurpled radiance of q summer sunset
ky. ThisspIeudor from another world clothed
he Virgin with garb of brillisnCy, and bathed
he niche in floods of steady, unwavering
Brightness.
Bsrnadette plunged her eyes into this re.
plendent aureOla, and arrested her gaze upon
he Lady. With entire freedom and the most
vivid clesrnesS, she contemplated Her Axedly.
Ihs scanned her every lineauent; she ran over
sch Eavy curve Of hsE 1cWing gaEmeptSi "a. i