The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-04-23

tContinued.l
At length the journey was fixed for Saturday,
July 18th, and carriage was hired. Jean
could not contain him self for JOY on learning
that his pilgrimage was certain. He could not
sleep all Friday night. Several times he woke
his father by his loud breathing, and he could
hardly be kept in bed till morning. When he
was settled on his little chair in the carriage,
his joy was excessive.
Toe carriage was approaching Lourdes,
when, not voice, but an articulate breath
said "Papal Papa! :" The father
looked at Jean. Papa" repeated the child,
i" I am going to be cured! - And he
PIT his tongue out between his lips. The
father trembled and felt himself filled with
Eope. He thanked God for this first favor.
The child had no more power of motion than
the evening before; his throat gave no sound,
but his breathing was articulste; he moved
his tongue, and he appeared delighted. From
tn at moment he prayed, pronouncing his words,
and clasping his hands fervently. From time
to time he interrupted himself to say, always
in the same manner: "Paps, am going to be
cured. " The Blessed Virgin is
going to cure me- shall walk;
shall talk" Each word increased the fathers
confidence.
At length they arrived at Lourdes. The
poor little cripple was carried in his chair by
his father and the driver. Many persons saw
the sorrowful sight. The chair once placed
before the grotto, the two men knelt down, aud
all three prayed fervently. The child mur-
INJURED Our Father and Hail Mary. The poor
| fathers heart cried out to the mercIful Virgin.
The boy was carried his chair into one of
the little rooms belonging to the miraculous
fOuD tain. Tic two men addressed him, and
his father took Jim in his arms, more helpless
than a born child. intirm and bending
every way. He plunged him into the water,
| and he'd him sitting up. The child prayed,
the father prayed, full of anxiety aud hepe
Whilst he prayed, he poured water on Jeans
head. A few minutes after q word came forth
clear and distinct: Papa! =" At
this voice, which he had not heard for two
months, the poor father was overpowered with
Joy. A. Irst he could only utter a stifled cry |:
| 80 my God !" Papa" said the voice, you can
| take me out: am cured"
The child had felt life returning to his limbs;
they became firm he tried them on the bottom
of the basin; the rest of the body at the same
time grew strong he spoke unoonsciousiy, by
| instinct. He arose, carried up by the water /;
he stood on his feet. Two great tears fell from
the fathers eyes into that water which had
entirely restored his son. Jean sat on the edge
of the basin.
"My heart was full" said his father; "tears
prevented me from seeing my son." He took
him by the hand, and the child for the first
time in three months was there before him
standing by himself, speaking and smiling,
The boy dressed and put on his shoes himself.
The driver, who had gone out short time be-
fore, now came in: My Cod" cried he; oh,
this is miraclep
They all went to kneel before the holy
grotto and soon the boy, without any assiss-
ance, climbed the rock, and reached the house
of the Missionaries.
When the Missionary who collected these
touching details said to the father, lyon are
very Fortunate" the latter could only answer
by an inartIculste sound his speech and his
sight were for q moment lost in tears. Emotion
choked his voice at every instant as he related
the illness and care of his son. He could not
express his gratitude towards Her who had
saved him from mourning and misery.
The child seemed as if just awakened from &
troubled sleep. He returned to the village OF
foot without any help. The motion of his legs
; which were extremely thin, was slow and nm
steady. Next day, at half past Ave o'clock, b
again made tho journey from the town 70 th'
ID