The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-05-14
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING. MAY Ia, 1876.

to week, it was definitely fixed for the 29th OF
April.
The poor consumptive was pl. ced on q mule,
whilst her teacher followed on foot with an
other friend, named Pauline. Madeleine was
full of joy; the voice of her dream, whose echo
was still in her heart, left her scarcely any
doubt of her cure. But soon even the quiet
pacing of the mule fstigued her. The journey
lasted an hour and q half at most. Arrived at
Lourdee, her strength gave out, and che had
to 60 through the streets very slowly. She got
down at the gate of the town, and tried to go
up the road to the rock. Leaning on her
friend's arm, painting and suffering from the
pain of her chest, she took almost an bour to
walk distance of ten minutes. Her extreme
fatigue could not efface from her soul a feelip z
of happiness and of hope at the sight of the
walls of the Soapel.
The first visit as to the crypt. In an hours
rest completely absor bed in prayer, Madeleine
deeply felt that wesriness of the world and the
desire to leave it, renewing her vow of q reli-
gious life, ard asking her cure, On condition
that it might contribute to the elevation of her
sou,.
1t go happened that she was obliged to go
down to the grotto alone. But notwithstand-
ing that she went slowly, she reached it worn
out, and knelt down. In her first glance to.
wards the statue of the Virgin, most sweet
emotion stirred her heart and drew tears from
her eyes. She prayed for long time and
offered herself once more to Mary Immaculate
q religions. The want of food forced the
three companions away from the grotto; aud
without having yet drank at the fountain, they
went to take their meal on q stone bench, in
the grass.
1t was almost noon when they returned to
the grotto. Madeleine prayed again, but not
long as before, and then went to the foun-
tain. During these few painful steps which
she took, bent down by her weakness and the
oppression on her chest, she said to herself,
almost without thinking, at is now'
She drank two glasses of the miraculous
water, with an indescribable tranquility. She
felt no strong emotion, nor shock of any kind
in her being. Only she felt herself Immediately
refreshed. This sudden relief surprised her.
She, however, said nothing, and knelt again to
continue to pray with her companions.
About two O'clock, rain drove them from the
grotto. The teacher said to Madeleine: go
first; will join you in few minutes" The
sick girl obeyed. Amoment after she returned
"But am cured! can
walkl You cannot keep up with me-"
The noise of the wind and rain prevented the
teacher from hearing these words; but she saw
Madeleine smile, and saw her return quickly
and then go on at light gait. Anxiously she
asked herself: "Do behold miracles"
Madeleine went mp quickly. She was, as it
were, bewildered and could not fx her
thoughts she did not know herself. No pain,
no fatigue, Der chest expanded, her breathing
oha f.lt ,rolr,
her heart oveIf1wing with unknown joy Aud
she went up. At length, she felt, as it were,
great shock in her soul; she burst into tears
'' o my Mother, you have cured mel" cried
she; and quickening her pace, she went to
thank the Blessed Virgin.
Her two companions had stayed behind.
Arriving at the crypt, they found their sick
friend kueelipg, aud they let her pray. Made
leine was weeping. The agitation of sudden.
immense happiness and the love of the Blessed
Virgin had melted her heart. She could not
utter a word but her whole soul blessed Our
Lady of Lourdes, and she gave herself once
more to her heavenly Mother by the VOW of q
which she knew now was fully ae-
copied. The happy Madeleine wept long.
= The teacher at length rose and said to her
friend: al sent Pauline to get mule"
"oh no." quickly answered Madeleine, al
do not need it. Pauline will ride on it."
The teacher made 8 gesture which seemed to
say: "Let us go, foolish childp They soon
went out. The teacher took the young girl's
arm they went down the path by the mission
aries house, and sat down on the wall by the
After moment, Madeleine said
with emotion: 81 must tell you, mSdemoiselle,
am cured-really cured. / feel no moro pain.
1 can walk to the village. The Blessed Virgin
has restored life TO mel" And she threw herself
into her friends sTms.