The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-09
Translated Morning Star FROM the French Of
Mgr de Segur !
THE WONDERS OF L0URDES.
Continued.
XVIII.

CONTINUED.
XVIII.
LAST SCENE OF THE Observation-Disclosures
OF LITTLE JUSTIN.
The last of those fifteen days, during which
Bernadeute was to honor the Blessed Virgin by
visiting the grotto,-the day which was to close
this long series of prod giles, was the object of
varied aud conflicting conjectures. All wished
to witness the final scene; as well those who
bad frequently assisted at the daily ecstasy, az
those who far bad not behe.d the spectacle.
TIE day happened TO be Fhursday-a market.
day at Lourdes. Daring the whole morning,
from the first faint Glinimerings of the slowly
approaching dawn, the pathway to the grotto
was jlmmed With the moving masses At SUI
rise, twenty thousand persons were stationed
around; and new accessons to the number
were pouring in ut every minute.
Never previously-never since-not even at
those great solemnities which have been noised
far and wide over the land, has Lonrdes wit
messed such concourse. Police, gendarmery
soldiery: all were in readiness {" to prevent
disorder"
One feeling rose uppermost throughout this
! multitude: the vague expectancy of some
wonderful spectacle. 1t seemed apparent !"
all that the series of Appsritons would lie
closed by some extraordinary occurrence.
! Some opined for miracle operated either by
Bernadette OF in her favor.
Bsruadette according to her custom, heard
Mass before setting out At the head OF the
decivitous path, gendarme stood in waiting,
He walked before the child with barred sabre,
| and opened way through the press. thanks
| lad been disposed near the grotto, in order TO
facilitate her passage. Without these pre-
cautions, If seemed imp"ssibie for Bernadette
TO pierce the compact mass which shut up
every opening the place.
| When the child pros trat"d herself, the whole
asscmblage, by one common impulse, tell on
their knees. Unbroken silence reigued around.
| the ecstasy began: peaceful, radiant,
| as ever. The child went TO drink at the touu'
tai;:, and performed her accustomed penance
| for sinners. Nothing particular marked this
! Arpariton of the fonrth of March. Bernadette
received the order to speak again To the
priests, aud 10 renew her demand for sane
tuary, and for PROFESSIONS. She begged of the
Apparition TO tell Her name: the mysterious
Lady gave no answer.
By the repeated bowipgs of Bernadette to
| wards the niche, it was seen that the Blessed
Virgin the point of disappearing. The
child received the last smile of farewell,-the
aureola faded away and died out.-a deep sigh
Bernadette had returned to earth.
She arose, took her mothers arm, and with
drew; but cloud of sadness hung over hel
heart would she again behold the amiabl'
Lady.
The crowd slowly broke up. During the
whole day, hundreds of pous visitors succeeded
each other at the grotto. at sunset a great
number was still there. examining the spot
praying, drinking ut the spring, or gathering
from the sacred precinct some precious me
mento.
But the Immaculate Virgin did not allow
this memorable day to pass without a sigma
manifestation of her gracionsuess. A motsr"a
miracle would itly close the prodigies of Hell
privileged fortnight.
A child of two years was dying in house OF
Lourdes. He was called Justin. His father
John Bouhohorts, gained his bread as day
laborer. Affected with a slow consuming
fever from his birth, the child had never been
able to walk step. Ali remedies were tried
in vain life was fast ebJLug away. The deaiL
agony was upon him; his father and mother
despairiDg and poweriess, were beside Lit
cradle, and beheld him sinking into his grave
A charitable neighbor was already preparn %
the little windiuS-sheet. From time to time
she spoke n fe " words of unheeded comfort t.
the wretched mother. The eyes of the chile
were glazed; bis limbs cold and stifening
The breathing was barely perceptible.
"Re is dead moaned the father. If hei
not dead, he will die in few moments SAT-
the good neighbor. Retire, and weep q