The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-27


nourishment whatever She " as gradually
falling into state of inaniaaation. Her life
was slowly ebbing away. One by one did her
faculties relinquish their failing tenement.
What added o keener edge TO her sufferings
was .the privation of sleep. siumbor refused to
allay for q moment the fsvered restlessness OF
her racked body. The Sacrament Of Extreme
Unotion was administered in August
She did not die, but her existence could no
longer be styled life: these are the tesms used
in the relation afterwards presented to the
Bishop of Tarbes. She was able, it is true, to
quit her bed for nm bour every day, yet gradual
dissolution was stealing its way through all
the channels of her being. Her hearing was
dulIed her sight obscured her voice ex-
tinct. few steps suficed to exhaust her
completely her whole body seemed bent and
twisted when she made an effort to move A
glass of milk was the only nourishment che
took for two days. The intellectual powers
were in turn attacked ; the memory became so
clouded that Miss Broca could net even recol-
lect the simple words of her vocal prayers.
This was the most bitter trial of all that fell
upon her, for in the midst of the ruins into
which body aud mind were crumbling away,
her sole stay and supreme consolation con-
sisted in the recitation of her prayers. Piety
was the only remaining comfort Of her life, orr
we should rather say, it was to her life itself.
Affections and sufferiugs had burst upon her
with tho fury of mountain torrent, gathering
new strength at every leap from minor streams
that rushed to swell its volumeI She would
have bowed cheerfully, without repining, be-
meath the blows that smote her were it not for
certain uneasiness that pervaded her thoughts.
1t had it's source in species of remorse. Why
had she not accomplished her promised pill
grimaga to Lourdes when it was still posi- BILE
These reflections caused her acute pain, and by
degrees the determination was reached to exc
cute, at all hazard, what she had pledged her
self to perform. This resolution became the
one fxed idea uppermost in her mind. But for
her to betake herself TO Lourdes seemed an
utter impossiblity to wish it was pure mad
ness.
For g long time she dared not make known
her desire, In the month Of November, 1864
the unceasiDg whisperings of her conscience
forced her to inter her request. Her confeSSor
deemed it advisable to defer the matter till
winter had passed away. The spring came,
but DO amelioration was peroeptible in the state
Of the invalid. The confessor refused to take
upon himself the responsibility of deciding the
point, and consequently requested of the Vicar
General of the diocese to mark out for him the
coutse he vas to pursue. The faith of Miss
Broca and her unbou nded confidence in Oar
Lady of Lourdes triumphed over the hesita.
lions of prudence. This answer was sent to
the confessor "tbe confidence of the sick person
" i'll stand in place of the strength which she
no longer has
The day is choPen: preliminary novena 10
begun. Duripg it's course the fever ragged with
redoubled violence; excruOiAting pains rRcked
both head and breast the exhaustion became
10 great az to leave no doubt of q speedy col.
apse since eighteen days the unfortunate
young lady had been able TO swallow only
mall quantity of water, and she had OK
,eriencsd no slight difficulty in forcing that
through her psrched throat.
Every one felt convinced that she would not
.eturn alive from the intended journey the
Invalid was COM WINGED that she was going to
Sourdes to die.
Before her departure she took the precsution |
% settle all her earthly concerns. She dictated
ier will; marked out the spot wherein she de- |
tired her body to be consigned to its last reposei
n ade her confession, as il on the point of bid
ling farewell to life; recommended to the
care of her director an aged do
nestle who had faithfully served her helpless
Mistress for many q long year; and then
luietly awited the hour appointed for setting
mt II go forth to die, butdeath will find me
n the act of fulfilling my promise to the
Blessed Virgin 80 shall die happy aud con-
cut"
tTo be continuedJ