The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-06
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY s, 1876

aptitude to convince minds and move hearts;
yet che rarely failed to produce this double
eject A distinguished lawyer, one Of the
ornaments of the magstraoy, accompanied o
clergyman of his acquaintance on q visit to
Bernadetfe. The gentleman was Protestant.
Both of the visitors questioned her. The Pro
tesssnt lent the deepest attention to her
answers. Little by little an uncomfortable
emotion sprang up in his heart; unbidden
tears rose to his eyes. "My dear sir, Eek
claimed he on leaving, "people may do their
utmost to give an explanation of the prodigies
which took place at the grotto. The force of
conviction dwells with that child she startles
and touches me to the soul. There is reality in
her assertions"
In presence of well-meaning doobters,
Berpadette always found, with rare quickness,
the necessary retort. She never broke through
through the wall of seeming Indifference be-
hind which she took shelter, except when
there was question of asserting the honor of
truth, and consequently the honor of the
Blessed Virgin. An excellent Christian pre-
tended to maintain that the Lady had not en-
Rloyed the Bernese dialect. "You are mistaken,
MY good child. The good God and the Blessed
Virgin do not understand your patois. They do
not know that wretched tongue" If they
did not know it, sir" answered the child with
the greatest mildness, " how would we know
it ourselvesf And if they did not understand
it, who would enable US to understand ?"
But how could the Blessed Virgin hid you
eat grass Did she take you for q brutef" This
wac the sally of q strong minded individual.
DO you Imagine that of yourself when you
eat salad" replied the child on the spot with
gay little smile.
We have already said that neither Bernsdette
nor her poverty stricken parents ever wished
to accept of anything from the numberless
visitors that Gro wded to their humble home. A
Thousand times were the most enticing offers
laid before them, either from q sincere desire
to as.ist them in their distress, or as mere
tests of their diSnteresteduess. The refusals
of the child were 80 steadfast, strongly
accumulated. that many considered this line of
conduct to be one of the secret recommends
tions made by the Blessed Virgin to her privi-
legged child.
A. lady, who was we'll aware of her strict
delicscy, and at the same time of the pressing
needs of her family, one day slipped two pieces
of gold in her pocket. Bernadette perceived
the act. She hastily drew out the gold and,
returning it with an air Of wounded dignity,
said, " Madam, am very much obliged to
you, but will not keep your money" "Bnt,
my child, your parents are very poor" insisted
the lady with tenderness; I" give you this
with all my heart. Poor girl. perhaps you
have not always bread 20 eat" "True, Madam,
not always: but l need SO littlew The
charitable lady was forced to take back her
money.
On another occasion, worthy priest offers
her piece of money. She refuses he presses
her to accept; che Still persists in declining.
Take it, pray you if not for yourself, at
least for the poor. You will have the pleasure
of aiding the needed" "Bestow the aims with
your own hands, kind sir, for my intention.
That will please me more than if distributed
it myself"
In the meantime Bernadette was growing
out of childhood. In proportion revolving
years was added to her age, her distaste for
the noise and turmoil OF the world waxed
greater. She craved for solitude, and resolved
to seek for it within the consecrated sanctuary
of religious life.
For several years after the establishment of
the pilgrimage of Lourdes che had continued
to discharge her duties, as messenger and
apostle of the Immaculate Virgin; she had, by
a generous sacrifice of her own repose, accom-
plished an immense amount of good, a. az
humble instrument in the hands of Providence
In the month of July, 1866, she obtained ad
mission into the house OF probation of the
Sisters of Charity, at Nevers. She pronounced
her VOWS on the thirtieth of October, 1867, and
adopted the name of GiGry Bernard. She was
then in her twenty fourth year.
She never changed. She was still the same
humble, Supplemented, meek Bernadette, al
ways bowed beneath the hand of suffering,
always worthy of the locke of her heavenly
PrOtectress. n person WhS has enjoyed the