The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-30

grand voice, proclaim to the listening earth
the glories of the Immaculate Conception.
The very stones, that are to be imbedded in
the sacred walls of the future temple will lift
mp their voices in endless hymns of praise
and thanksgiving to the immaculate Copcep-
ton.
Bernadette retained in all its vividness. the
picture of Mary clarifying Herself in Her I'm
macnlate Conception. This is perhaps the
most lasting souvenir impressed on her memo
ry. 1t has been frequently requested to re-
produce the august scene. The child recalling
her faculties from all external objects, would,
IS it were, elevate her soul to Heaven. "She did
this" head, and bands, and her look would be
modelled on the Virgins attitude. In that
simple act of lifting and folding her hands up
on her breast. there appeared such majesty,
and gracefulness, on her face shone such ezAvi-
ty and sweetness in her look, directed to-
wards heaven, their beamed 30 celestial an ex-
preston, that an uncomfortable thrill of sdmi-
ration and religious reverence ran through the
crowd of beholders. Tears started to many
an eye, so we'll and faithfully did she depict
this last moment Of the apparition. One day,
a man of the world was 80 mastered by the
emotion which seized upon him at the specta.
Cl0s UuRU uo cASi6ih1AcO 6iOuOs 4hlS 0uuCc6
me. / believe. The child has seen. of her
SELF she could never invent such posture.
What she has seen is not of this world
APPARITIoN OF EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 9TH
THE MIRACLE OF THE BURNING TAPER.
Ten days afterwards, ON Easter Monday,
Bernadette was kneeling in front of the grotto
~ bo Of he
was again favored with an Apparirion of the
immaculate Virgin. On this occasion, cir.
oumstance occurred which caused greater as
served also as a conclusive proof of the
heavenly character of the Visions.
The child was on her knees. She held in her
hand lighted taper; the lower extremity
rested on the ground. Absorbed in the COZ
temptation of the heavenly Vision, che drew
her hands together. Without saying atten-
ton to what she was doing, she slighly raised
them and held them clasped on the end of the
taper. The flame found a passage between her
half-opened fngecs and rose shove her hands,
Pickering and wAvering with every passing
breath of wind.
Great anxiety was manifested by the specta-
tors "she is burning herself" The child,
sweetly and serenely. "Let her be-" was said
to some one who wished to take the oaHdle.'
"She evidently does not feel the fre. Let az
see what will happen"
A physician happened to be standing close
| to the child. Astonished at what struck his
sight, he drew out his watch. The flame con
| tinued to eRveloped the olssped fingers the
hands remained, without quivering, in ik
! that could reach Bernadette beheld the flame
rising above her fingers Low whispering
passed around, ga miracle! q miraclelF
Greater wonder had never yet been excited a
the grotto. Finally the hands separated. Ths
doctor examined them Immediately. Not the
slightest mark of the action of the flame wa
apparent
After the ecstasy, when Bernadette relApset
into her usual state, ere of the bystander
| brought the aame of the still burning eandl'
in contact with her hand. "Oh, you bUrn me-
| cried she, turning herself hastily.
So visible prodigy left deep impressioG
| This was the seventeenth Apparition, tht
fifteenth in the series of those to which Mary
/ had invited the multitudes as witnesses of he
familiar interviews with the child, of which
the mystery was at one and the same time, o.
| impenetrsbly yelled and 30 admirably per
oeptible. On this day mere than nine tkousant
persons were gathered around Bernadette.
This was the last time that the heavenl!
! spectacle was destined to meet the gaze of th'
public: for the last time, in presence of assem-
bled multitudes, did the Queen of Heaven sheC
upon the angelic counteneuco of the traus
| figured child rejection of her incompatible
glory, and show the power Of her superhumaI
beauty, in the ecstasy of Shis soul transported
beyond the sphere of mortality, by the mer'
contemplation of Her loveliness.
Mary wished on this day to. give unto Hersel
grand testimony. She came again to stamI
upon her work the iRefaeeableseal of heaven
and insure the glory Of her name, and confirm
the faith of her clients by the inimitablG
signature of a miracle.
Wonderful sight! The little girl contem
plates, prays, smiles. She offerS her tender
hands to the flames. The flames lick them
| Int nj