The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-03-12

SEX Win totfering steps in the direction of the
gTotto. The hues of death were imprin ted
on his features and as he crept along, like a
mere shattered remnant of humanity, the
people by the wayside whispered among them.
selves: That poor wretch will never see the
j Grotto; or, at least, he will never return from
| it alive"
AS Posses proceeded on his toilsome way
feeling of deep reverence in his heart.
I" So near the spot where the Blessed Virgin
manifested herself, 80 nearw murmured he
softly.
The Grotto at length meets his gaze; then
the white statue of the Virgin, looking
out from the hallowed niche He next sees
the miraculous spring; he even hears it's pure
waters gurgling in it's little channel with 8
soft, lowatinkling. He stops short and stands
motonless in silent contemplation of the scene
before him. Thoughts, too deep for utterance
were at that moment stirring in the inmost
chambers of his soul.
Years afterwards, whenever he recurred to
the period of his trials, and related the story
of his deliverance. the recollection of these
scst emotions that swept over him, az his eyes
rested lon2inEly on the blessed grotto, still
caused his heart to throb with quicker pulsa-
tion. An indescribable emotion suddenly
mastered my entire being. was there rooted
to the spot startled, Hooded W ith inex plicabls
sensations Of joy, quivering with strange
tremulousness. felt great respect and awe
creep over me; neither the gorgeousness of q
palace, even the sacred precincts of a
church, could have inspired me with such
reverential feelings. At the same time a cer-
tain fear possessed me; but it was very vague
and indistinct. l WAS as one before whose eyes
glare of intensest brlliancy had flashed ont
from the darkness; blinded and hewildered by
the unexpected lustre, he is brought to an
abrupt stand, ard remains motionless in Dreamy
incertitu6e. Rut," added lie, in a broken, |
husky voice, 81 cannot make You compreh end |
my state: if it were something in the natural
order of things, l could ind terms that would
convey my meaning; bug bere am at . CON.
plete loss. No words / discover which
would adequately express my thonghts'
Thus overpowered by contendipg emotions,
be Frustrated himself before the Virgin, but he
was unable to pray. Memory failed TO recall
the proper words the trembling lips refused
to articulate the sounds. Yet, what need had
he of speech, whose sole presence was a mute,
Voiceless appeal to the Heart Of Mary.
The exertion of retaining his kneelinR
posture could not be prolonged; weariness
compelled him to rise sooner than he felt in
,lined. He then approached the fountain, and
n its salntary waters bathed both head and
neck, wherein such exquisite tortures had
odged Themselves He straightway expe-
fenced sensible allayment of his agonies. He
sgain made an effort to pray.
The remembrance Of the Apparitions filled
lis thoughts anew. "The Blessed Virgin has {
Jisited this spot with her presence! o happy, {
hrice happy child, to whom was given the !,
privilege of beholding her shall be cured; c
eel that shall. And still, am very low and, o
moreover, how do deserve q miracle9' And
neekly he bowed his heart before heaven in q
tumble establishment; and from the pro- il
oundness of his wretchedness, he lifted up his u
otce in an earnest cry of supplicatioDA c
In ordor to make his soul moro worthy Of &
leansed it from all stain in the purifying fires
f Penance. If be not deceived, feel a | q
reater strength and vigor in my limbs" re- p
'arked he to his wife on their way back to a
OWN. O. am confident that will recover by q
ne help of the Blessed Virgin. so be It," y,
eplied the wife; "this idea has fixed itself in fr
our head, and there iS no possibility of beat. eC
g it ont" She shared little in the hopes Of v
or husband. M
At half.past five the following morning, "a
osses assisted at the Holy Sacrifice in the ro
as then led to the grotto, where he pros pu
ated bimself upon the fsgs of the pavement, or
I'D spent some moments in earnest prayer. Fl
is weakness again forced him to relip quiSh ca
s devOtioDs yet, he found such sweetness in be
lis humble intercourse with heaven, that he of
onld fan have fingered there hours instead off Sb
inutes. He drank at the spring, and whilst vi
this act his heart was buoyed up with the Il
ost lively assurance, that the merciful Virgin M,
ould extend to him the benefit of her inter CO
ssion. Had hundred voices bade me to "
.sh aside the cop had in my hand with the th
srninR that it was filed with o poisonous TOT
mpound, would have swallowed its contents ac
thout hesitation or anxiety, 90 entire was th
? trust In tie Blessed virgin" irr
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