The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-01-02

At each of the appsritions, Bernadette re- |
newed the acts Of penance and humble self |
abasement which we have noticed above. In
obedience to the order Of the Blessed Virgin,
she went regularly to drink at the spring; on
certain days she Yves seen to repeat her draughts
several times.
During one of those unavoidable swayings,
to which the copoourse Yves subjected by the
efforts Of those in the rear to satisfy their
curiosity more fully, the wild rose-bush was
for an instant shaken. Bernadette, in the
greatest alarm, stretched her hands for wnrd,
and moved hastily towards the niche. Her
eyes were bsthed in tears. "Who has dis
turbed the rose-tree1 Do not touch it !" She
looked with anxiety into the cavity. After
moment, the bush became motionless: the
countsnance of Bernadette recovered it's Sc
renity-the happy smile returned to her
features. Toall it was . subject of wonder that
Bernadette, although SO absorbed in ecstasy,
so lost in world of silence and mystery,
should instsntaneousiy give utterance to 90
loud 9 cry. Id the cd1rse Of the day the per-
SON who had touched She branches came to
Bsrpadetta and hsggea pardon Cos the pain
| she had indicted. y" OH yeu grievsd me very
much. when saw the bvidr shaken, feared
| that the Lady might fall. She was standing
on it, and she made mo sign that no one
should approach it,
The person in question was struck by the
feeling that betrayed itself in tho words of the
child. She had 90 far entertained very little
belief In the vision che now, with all her soul,
accepted its reality. The thought of having
failed. in respect to the Queen of Heaven, by
dispIacine the branches on which her feet
rested, caused her extreme grief. From that
day, Bsrnadette was the object of her special
affection. At each Succeeding aPparition, she
never failed to be ct her side.
Since the fourth sppsrition, Bernadette
would, on her arrival &C the grotto, light q
blessed candle and hold it IN her left hand q
long az the Blessed Virgin remained visible
At frss lady of the town lent her one; after
wards her aunts, one after the other, gave uI
the tapers they preserved for the sOlmnities Q
their SOdality.
Ose day, towards the close of her ecstasy
Bernadette arose, still suffused with the pal
radiance, and leaning towards her youngee
aunt, whispeted to her: evil you give m
your taper, and permit me to leave it In th
grotto." I" Yes, yes, take it, go and fix it M
right if you can" The child went to the bo
tom of the grotto, and planted the extremit
of her candle in the ground, leaned it agains
the rock for support, and, leaving it lighted
returned to her place.
On the way home, her aunt inquired: Br
why did you ask me to give my candle, and wh
did you bring it insidei' I" / wished to leave
burning in the grotte wRen / went away, au
as it belonged to you, could not do so will
out your permission"
=, Several pious persons had already placed
the grotto their little offering of lighte
candles-touching homage of reverence The
FIRST tapers were the forerunners of thousand
of blazing lights that now unceasingly illumir
the rough, rocky sides of the MasS&bisille clift
to the greater glory of the Immaculate Moth
of God.
90 traceable to the primitive ages of the churc
a The lighted taper is symbol rich in myst
M r;ous meanings. The pure white wax Of whiC
:. IL ia made symboliEes the sacred HumaDi
- aasumed by/our Saviour in the most chas
= vomb of Mary: which Humanity, by
!. hvDost6tic union with the Divinity, has BET
q. oondtituted the light and sunshine Of Il
al world. Like the untarnished wax of the taP'
be this human nature consumes itself before Go
O. in flames of love, alteration, thaHESsivin
da appDlioa4iou. penance, sacrifice The burniI
nR light that CLEANS only the brighter when 81
sr. rounding glooms are deeper, typihes .
cd Divinity of the Son Of Mary.
yer The lighted taper may be also consider
rs the figure Of the Christian, who, all abli
ter with the aEdOrs Of faith and love towards
ia, Lord Jesns Christ, cfEers himself before
Il throne Of God as victim Of penanee
he charity.
in On Tuesday, March snd, Borhadette az
,nt souaht an interview with the parish prisos
~ 4,o6rdee, and renewed Rhs dsmRnd rho