The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-30
E,lated for the Morning Star from the French OF
Mgr. dc Segur
j. WONDERS OF LOURDES.
IContinued-l

IA Xxx.
scH 25-"I AM THE IMMACULATE coNchP'
TON"
5ince the close OF the miraculous fortnight, |
Haadette had not discontinued her daily |
sifs to the grotto. She there recited her
as like the other pilgrims. Her gaze was
Avs fixed upon the cavity of the rock, but
! smiable Virgin appeared no more.
lie time of the promises had passed
,theless the people still entertained the
1e of beholding anew the wonderful ecstasy
Sl6never Bernadette was seen vending ner
~ towards the Massabieilie rocks, crowds
Tened to follow, attracted by the persua-
"a that with her they were going to meet
q Blessed Virgin. Such hope, however,
not find much place in the child's heart.
!. q interior voice which had 30 softly called
on her during the period of the ApparItions,
loupec whispered in the silent depths OF
8 soul
On the a5th of March, feast of the Annuncia-
IN. Bernadette felt herself irresistibly drawn
; Ahe grotto by the we'll known attraction.
u oseyed the inspiration with joyful alacri-
!. The solemn character of the day, the ex.
sctation that filed all minds of an appear
Mo6
asiderabie concourse. Bernsdette, on her
aval, was greatly astonished to find 80 large
latitude collected around. AS usual she
ok herself to prayer; the beads were in
~ hand. After q short interval, q sudden
B, and the Instantaneous transformation of
countenanoe proclaimed the presence of
Apparition. This was to be a marked day
he history of these wonders.
srnadette had repeatedly requested of the
ay to disclose Her name. She had been an
9hred only by smiles. Daring this new &C.
.4ssy she recalled to mind the constant in
+ btions of the parish priest to inquire of the
say what Her name was. "Oh my Lady,
10 the kindness to tell me who you are, and
lat is your name"
he sionseemed to glow with a more daz-
g refulgenoe q more gracious smile over
bad her smiabie features; this was Her
wer: "tMy Lady, will you tell me who you
-still another lingering smile beamed
,n the mute lips of the queenly Vision. 20
Lady, I entreat of you to tell me your
me- Won ought to tell me who you sre."
I've of more vivid radiance rolls over the
.5he. From the midst Of this SURPRISING
lendOr, the virginia. countensnce greets the
ild with 8 last smile, and doubtless tho most
rancing. The Lady then diverts her eyes
m Bernadette, separates her hands, and
gps upon her arm the rosary that she held
hsPed between her fingers. She then lifts
I'D and hands together, and folds the out
etohed hands lengthwise upon her bosom.
Be head becomes motionless, the eyes drink
the glories of Paradise. ST AM THE NINA
LATE CONCEPTION" She had revealed her
me.
Without another look towards the child,
thout another smile, without the usual fare
~, without changing Her attitude, She
nished, leaving in the soul of Bernadette
ssh this image and this name.
9ernadette, flooded with joyful emotion,
&tensto announce to her pastor the name of
8 Lady. Vet, she knew not the meaning of
words 'Tmmaculate Conception" A mo-
i ago, in the splendors of the Apparition,
heard them for the first time in her life
ehese unkno wn words could not teach her
the Lady was. She feared that she would
et the name on her road she constantly
ated, "I am the Immaculate Conception,
he immaculate Conception" The parish
understood, the church understood, the
nAo NnEiSGlAn lsAnlly unOerSIoOu. NO QUO
mistsken; it was indeed She, the Virgin
the Mother. of God.
it no one expected this name from her lips.
bne imagined that in this grotto She would
sd Lourdes, the Pyrenees, Plus TX, the
ID, the joy and consolation of hearing Her
me as Her name, that glorious privilege,
oh the Catholic nations, since four years
celebrating with on immense effusion Of
husisstic devotion, in imitation of their
Der and Ponti&.
ithout previous warning, envfroned with
wv sweetness, and clothed with a fresh
iloanee, this APparition broke. through the
feA Of supernatural mystery, at q time when
ecelestial communications appeared to have
avn to close. This appearance gave the
to the work of Mary at the grottO She
ocked the secret meaning Of her fifteen
Ate. The Lady had indeed allowed pre-
eiment OF Her name to spread among the
pie After the artless recital of the child,
multitudes, with pious intuition, murmur-
the name of Mary. But all cherished q
ging TO hear the sweet word from Her own
She deigned to crafty tbis WARMING.