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

day 2lst, one of the most experienced ply sicians
| of Lourdes, Dr.. Dozous, had wished to make IN
ocular investigation of these cataleptic phe.
nomena the vagaries of superstitious oredu
| lily were soon to be dispelled. At an early hour
he reached the grotto, aud chose q position in
| close proximity to Bernadette nothing could
| escape his eye.
The good doctor was irretrievably Gnnikila
ted. Not q trace of the symptoms disclosed by
the strange disorders of which Bernadette was
said to be the victim, could be here discovered;
yet, these symptoms, whore they exist, are
easily detected by the diagnosis of medicine
Absorbed though she was in the contempla-
ton of the heavenly Virgin. the child retained
her entire consciousness of what was transpi-
ring in her vicinity. Her taper having been
| extnguished, she stretched it ont to be lighted
! anew. Somebody having attempted to touch
with stick the wild briar in the niche, she
made hasty sign of disapproval, and manifes-
ted on her countenance tokens of anxiety and
fear. This is neither the stiffness of catalepsy
nor the Inconsistencies of hallucinatian,' rea-
soned the physician within himself
| He seized the arm of Bernadette,-it was
timber and plant; he felt the pulse, the beat
ing was regular in its normal state. No symp-
| tom of. disease traceable. Decidedly,
science was ''off the track" ~
Notwithstanding, contradictions multiplied;
and soon degenerated into downright persecu-
ton. The commssary of police, tin the end
remained true to the odipus character he had
assumed in the beginning. He referred the
affair to the tribunal of theimperiaI procura-
tor (Attorney GeneraI Of TIE Depart mcnt. Nay
he invoked to his assistance the power of the
prefectship of Tarbes. A warrant was issued
| against the harmless child. This was justified
as an administrative measure: c, measure
adopted by "CHitrary force, which refuses tc
have its motives questioned. B,rnadett" p'o
claimed Il ,fIuatic in the name of the Project
was TO DC drag sed from the paterual root, and
| Imprisoned In Il mad house! The ubiquitous
deed had been accomplished, were II not for
| the truly prestly energy displayed by the
Venerable pastor of LDurdes. This child is
guiltless," protested he with indignation, when
the impcri Al procucator, and the mayor OF
L1urdes came IT, apprise him OF the Off aiai de
coion "fhis child il inuoc ,nt, you have
| found no pretex5 To prosecute her. Such a
measure is shameful persecution, crying in
justice; the more to be stigmatized for aiming
its blows at a head incapable of Offering the
slightest resistance. This writ shall not b'
carried into effect; there are no grounds for it
As priest, as pastor of this parish, owe my
care to all alike, but especially to the weak
and defenceless. l know my duty. Go, an
nounce to Your chief that his officers will find
me on the threshold of that house. Before
they touch hair of that child, they shall pass
over my body. Take all legal information
you are at full liberty to do 30 but, ere you
strike the puniest and most Insignificant Of
my flock, you will have to rid yourselves oil
me-" After such declaration, the authorities
dared push the matter no further. Bernadette
owed her preserv ation in the first place, to bel
| heavenly Protectress, and secondly TO the faith
and courage of the Able Peyramale.
This excellent ecclesiastc, in assuming the
defence of Barnedette, could not be accused o
interested motives. Since the beginning, h'
bad maintained the most scrupulOus reserve
with respect to the events of the grotto
From his assistants he had exacted the same
line of conduct. Time in the first place, and
his Bishop finally, would decide on the true
character of the Appsritions.
Bernadette had much to suffer till the truth
was fully recognized, but Mary sustained hel
amidst her manifold trials. One day during
the Apparition, the commissary and an officer
of zendarmery, carried their iusolence so far ii
to ioterpose their persons between Barnadettt
aud The Mother of God. They stationed them
selves directly in front of the child, during hel
ecstacy, and endeavored to disturb her. Hell
god mothers temper was fred by the out
rage, and in no measured terms she iDveighed
against their impertinence the chiid's liberty
was not to be inteEferred with, she was doing
no barm,-no one had right to molest her
Again and sgain were the threats uttered
against BerDadette and her parents. Nothing
could disturb the equanimity Of the poor girl
usy, che il MAS that revived the drOoSir: