The Irish standard., 1886-05-01
CATHOLIC NEWS.
The Marvellous Cure Of a Young Man by
the Water Of Lourdes.
CINCINNATI, March 16, 1856.

thing relating to the glory of God and
that Of His holy Mother, have thought
to inform you of an extraordinary cure
recently obtained in this vicinity by
the use Of Lourdes Water, and a no
vena to Our Lady of Lourdes.
Having seen an account in the daily
papers of the cure of Henry Durstock,
of No. 2lS Saratoga street, Newport,
KY, | concluded to visit the young
man, and learn for myself if the facts
as stated in the newspapers had been
exaggerated. was cordially received
by his sister, and conducted to his
presence. He sat in neat little bed
room, receiving the congratulations OF
his friends, and telling his wonderful
story over and over again, for the edi-
fcation Of the many who are constant
~ coming and going. l will give it, as
nearly as possible, in his own words.
He said:
my name is Henry Durstock. Al
the age of twelve | was attacked by
typhoid fever, FROM which never fully
recovered. I was seized with severe
cramps in my stomach, the result Of
several assesses, which formed in my
stomach and in the region OF my heart.
My stomach was very much swollen
and very painful. After a while the
assesses broke, and the poison scat
tered through my system, making me
n@rfectly helpless, and causing me to
suffer so much that at times | lost my
reason. had the best physicians Of
Newport, and they all united in saying
my case was hopeless. y fter two years
of this agony, began novena to Our
Lady of Lourdes. had great deal
of faith at that time, and hoped to be
cured. One day during the novena I
experienced great relief Indeed, I
seemed to be entirely we'll for several
hours; but the reaction came, and re-
lapsed into my former condition. So
things went on till had been six years
in bed. At the suggestion of religi-
Gus friend, another novena was made. I
had no faith that would be cured, and
nothing came of it. Seven years passed
by, and last month, of my own accord,
I requested Father Baumeister, of St.
Stephens Church. across the Way. to
join me in a novena and asked for some
Water of Lourdes. He assented, and
we began the noyena on February Esd
without the knowledge OF even my
father and mother. However, 1 told
nay mother on the first day of the no.
vena, and she made it,witb me. / de-
rived no benefit as yet from the water,
though still had great faith. On the
night Of the eighth day felt a prick
ing, painful sensation in my limbs,
which seemed strange, as had no feel
ing in them for long ti1ne.''
Here the young man was interrupted
W his mother, who said: Indeed,
Henry was like q child. His father
was obliged to change his clothes for
him, as though he were an infant, and
to lift him from one bed to another
while I changed the bed clothes. On
account of his helplessness, I always
occupied this little bed in his room.
All night Of the last night, as he tells
you, he was very wakeful, and kept me
awake also. About six o'clock in the
morning OF the ninth day, and before
he had yet taken the Lourdes Water,
was DOING after my sleepless night
when heard him say, Mother if had
any clothes would get up started
up in bed, thinking that either he was
dreaming or was, and said. What is
that you say. Henry?' That if had any
clothes I would get up I could not
believe my ears, and answered, you
could not get up. my child.' Yes,
could, if had something to
put on, he said. Poor child he had not
been dressed for thirteen years! Well
+ answered, If it is only a matter of
clothes, can get you some of your
brothers. l brought them; he put
them on without assistance-he who
had not been able to move for so many
years. When his sister came to bring
his coffee, she was surprised to see him
ready to walk into the kitchen. which !
he did, taking his coffee there.''
Eyes, it is all true,' continued the
young man. II was perfectly we'll.
And that night, when my father came
home. he was so astonished that he
burst into tears. have great reason
to be grateful to the Blessed Virgin,
and I hope shall always be 500
Then added the good Christian moth
er, es, indeed, we have much to be
thankful for; but if l thought, after all
this, that Henry would not be good
man, | would rather nurse him over
again for the rest of my life and his. y
The young man is now twenty five
years of age, but he does not look more
than seventeen. One or two physicians
who have seen him, have not expressed
any opinion whatever, but in this case
their silence is expressive. To the
mind of your correspondent there is
4. y oil