The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-23
[rrapslatsd for Morning Star from the French Of
Mgr. de Segrr
THE WONDERS OF L0URDES.
IContinued.l


sceptic and Indifferent were disturbed in their
unbelieving equanimity. The woman who
had been lured by the oommissary's bride, to
close with the shameful bargain and hire her
horse and cart, fell from a loft and broke one of
her ribs. The workman, who had not dared to
refuse the loan of his axe, received his share of
punishment: his feet were badly crushed by
the fall of o beam.
The police could not assuredly be accused of
remissness, but the Ubiquitous measures to
which they resorted produced just the contrary
effect to what was intended. The ardor of
those who came to pray at the grotto was
quickened into redoubled activity. During
the month of May number of devout persons
chose it as the most acceptable shrine whereat
to offer their devotions to the Virgin Mother.
The over-zealous satellites of the admnistra-
ton earnestly yearned for an occasion to ap
pear upon the scene. Their hopes were frus-
| trated. No disorder ensued not even the most
| trifiing msdemeanor. could be detected.
The administration now resolved on o more
vigorous repression of this popular madness, A
new blow was struck-it was to be decisive
On the eighth of June proclamation of the
Prefeot was let loose On the country. The in
terests of religion and of public health were
u
dent usage of the water of the spring would
prove highly disastrous to the body-and TO
the soul. The authorities had decided that the
water was strongly impregnaeed with mineral
elements; therefore pradence required that
discretionary proceedings should be resorted
to, both to exsirpate foolish belief in it's
miraculous qualities and to safeguard the SAM
tary condition of the population :! For second
time the police tore away all the offerings that
had been deposited at the grotto, aud closed
the entrance by an impossible partition of
planks. All approach to the place was for
hidden. The spring moreover favored
with special prohibit no water was to be
taken under penalty of the law. On the cum
NIT of the rock, where now stands the apsis of
the chapel, post was planted with this warn
ing conspicuously nailed to it, "No admittance
these grounds
The people were Indignant, aud proved it by
utterly disregarding the prohibition. The
gendarmes kept close watch: still many
slipped down to the grotto; if detected, the
guards could only seize upon them. Sometimes
several would join together and form a group.
A keen-sighted sentinel would be posted on the
cliff above, whilst the others knelt in prayer
before the grotto. Should stray policeman
be seen roaming about the alarm was given,
and all quietly Withdrew. OF course some un-
lucky wights were captured. Prosecutions
resulted, and numbers of lowly workingmen
and poor old women were dragged before the
judge for violation of the Projects edict.
These odious excuses aroused an intense
feeling of disgust, which gradually found vent
in threatening murmurs. Yet, even those who
felt most deeply exaggerated knew how to
restrain themselves within due bounds without
proceeding to demonstrations of violence. The
calmness with which the laboring classes of
Lourdes endured this outbreak of senseless
persecution deserves to be ranked among the
manifold wonders of the place.
This was owing in part to several gentlemen
of influence, who exercised their power over
the population by maintaining it in state of
patient expectation within the limits of lawful
resistance to arbitrariness. The worthy parish
priest of Lourdes merits special mention in this
juncture. His energetic words always COM
manded general respect among his people. He
bade his flock to beware of oversteppiDg the
limits of prudence, and his councils were re-
ceived with ready acquiescence.
Power might close the grotto but could not
stife the sentiments of reverence which were
cherished for it's sacred precincts. Whenever
the pious pilgrims wished to pray in liberty
before it, they crossed 10 the opposite side of
the water-course, and paid their devotons
kneeling on the grass of the meadow, or on the
sand in the dried bed of the stream.
The niche of the Apparicion appeared above
the planks of the enclosure. From a distance
the visitors Toasted their eyes on the cavity
sanctiied by the oft-repeated presence of the
Mother of God, and then withdrew consoled by
the consciousness of having thus testified their |
love and reverence to their heavenly Mother.
In a short time, the number of persons sur !
prised in fragrant disobedience to the admins |
trative proclamation was very considerable. |
Moreover, on the lists of culprits appeared the |
names of many foreigners. Some of these
names were a source of deep anxiety to the
luthorities. At length the promptors of this
persecution felt that they had edged them
Ielves into very false position,-their eyes
wen opened to the fact that they were reveling