The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-06
XIV.
BERNADk1rE SINCE THE ArrARrr1oNs.


BHRNADETTE SINCE THE APPARITIoNs.
The happy child whom the Blessed Virgin
had deigned to select as a fit instrument for
the fulfilling of grand designs, continued. to
be, after the heavenly visitations, what she
had always been. Her Protectress ssfeguarded
10 her heart those amiable virtues of her limo.
cent childhood: simplicity, modesty, ingeuu-
ousness She was not called to walk in extra
ordinary ways. Nothing appeared in her
character proper to excite wonder unless it
were that quiet, but profound humility, where
by she bade defiance, so to speak, to the insidi-
GUS advances of vain glory, aud bore up
unmoved against the ever rising food of
Unsuitable curiosity.
At school she played, amused herself, romped,
entered heartily into all childish games, like
her little companions. Her intelligence never
rose above a very ordinary standard. She
worked long time before she learned to
read and write. She was pious, and edifyiDg
in her conduct; but special mark distin-
guished her from other piOus children Her
words were few; her language was very
plain. Her whole merit consisted in those
qualities which had drawn upon her the favors
of the Queen of ANGELS innocence, sheltered
beneath the obscurity of lowliness and
povt Dty caudor of soul, purity of conscience.
In this same year, on the third of juno
Feast of Corpus Christi, Bernsdette made her
first communion. Some unusual occurrence was
expected on such q day. There was nothing
only good little girl making q good first
communion, as piously as possible.
Bernadette remained at school two years
more. A few months after her First Com
munion she Yves received into the Sodslity of
the Blessed Virgin, where, by her piety, abe
continued to edifyi all, without furnishing
matter of sstonishment to any one. The
Sisters of Charity, from the community of
Nevers, had charge of the hospital of Lourdes,
and at the same tine presided over the school.
In 1860, they offered Bernsdette an asylum in
their midst, which che gladly accepted
Thenceforward she dwelt beneath their roof
Her health was rot improved. She was always
weak and sickly, constantly suffering from
asthma, and, we mSy add, fAtigued by the end
less intrusions of people. who were attracted
either by pious curiosity or by mere imperti-.
nent inc uisitiveness.
These visits became daily more numerous
Publicity had characterized all the wonders of
this disposition of Providence, cheerfulIy ex-
and even to the indiscrete iuterrogStions of
every one. or her own accord, she never I'M
closed her lips to speak of the supernatural
favora of which she had been the fsvorite
recipient. When questioned by Others she
replied briefly and with great clearness, but
without betraying the least emotion. She
was simply witness, sincere, truthful, wish
ing to conceal nothing. She disclosed what
she had seen; she repeated what she had
heard: nothing more, nothing less
When she perceived that those who were
queStioning her pushed. their inquiries with
the fixed purpose of believing nothing she
never insisted on any point This 1 have
seen, and this know" wopld she say without
Impotence, and almost with Indifference; "if
you do not wish to admit the truth of my
words, what can do furtberp She would then
relapse into silence.
In the beginning, when attempts were made
uttering falsehoods, she answered with firm
ness above her age. DO as you please. But,
before cay that my words are not true, will
go to prison"
The truth, however, clothed in tho uncuIsured
language of the Child, genefally obtained full
credit among the crowds of visitors. Heaven
spoke by her lips, and gave to her words
irresistible force and efficacy. There vas not
a4su-c2ly n tsis PGc- peasant siEi Guy natural