Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-10-21
THE woMAN's RELIGIOUS LIFE.

THE WOMAN 8 RELIGIOUS LIFE.
About three years ago Mrs. Stuckenborg
began attending the Church of the Immac.
ulate Conception. She soon became great
ly interested, was converted and in due
time became member of the Church.
Afterward the St1ckenborgs moved to their
present residence, which is almost in the
shadow of St. Cecilia's Church. of which
they became communicants. Mrs. Stuck
enborg was daily attendant upon the ser
vices, much to the pleasure of her hus.
bands family. Although Father Mackin
is pastor of st. Cecilia, for some reason she
selected Father Ratio, of St. Charles Bar
romeo's Church, for her spiritual director
aud confessor. The first trance occurred
last May, but the spots were not observed
on her body then. The next Friday her
state of unconsciousness lasted so long that
her friends undressed her ana put her to
bed, In doing SO they discovered the blood
on her clothing, but did not suspect the
cause.
1t was not till after the third attack that
she confided to her family that she was a
partaker of the passion of Christ. She said
she suffered all the agonies of the crucifix-
ion. She also told her pastor and Confess
or.
credulity and warned her and her family to
say nothing about the mysterious malady.
Since then they have been constant attend.
ants upon the frances, but have been utter
ly unable to explain their cause while still
unwilling to ascribe them to divine origin.
In the hope that the frances would cease, or
that they would discover the cause, they
enjoined the strictest secrecy upon Mrs.
Stuckenborg and her family, and the secret
was kept for long time.
Little BY little the particulars began to
leak out, however, and when an investiga
tion was determined upon reporter heard
and published the wonderful story.
/ called upon Mrs. Stuckenborg at her
cottage to-day, and by chance found her
alone. At first she would not tell me that
her name was Stuckenborg, but finally &C.
knowledged her identity. She absolutely
refused to discuss the story of her case, and
left the room as soon as sister and sister,
in-law came in. While exchanging the few
words with me she studiousiy kept the
palms of her hands concealed. The other
women were very indignant at my intrusion
and rudely ordered one out of the house,
absolutely declining to answer any ques-
tions.
SHE has GOOD HEALTH.
The neighbors say Mrs. Stuckenborg is
fairly intelligent and Is about twenty. five
years old. Her health has always been
good and she Is of robust frame. She can
neither read nor write. She is of q deeply
religious and enthusiastic nature. She has
no children. The room in which she lives
the cottage has only three UT four apart
ments-is adorned with innumerable relig
ious emblems. In the hasty glance was
enabled to give it there seemed to me to be
at least twenty five or thirty crucifixes
around the walls. Pictures of the cruciflx-
ion also abounded. There was an urn of
holy water and various other insignia of
the Church.
All sorts of remarkable stories are retail
ed in the neighborhood. Most of the peo.
pie in that vicinity are poor and ignorant,
and are firmly persuaded that miracle is
taking place right before their eyes. They
even say that Mrs. Stuckenborg spits up
nails during her frances, and o great deal
Of similar rubbish is retailed by them.
Interest In tho case Il growing. u Il