The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-18
4 SECOND LOURDES
Miraculous Cure Alleged in a Lit
tie French Town Near
Brest.
A Famous French Doctor Who Pro-
.. nounces the Cure Mi
s@~- se$ -,>a-E 80
raculous. "

Paris, Aug. 18.-The miraculous healing
of woman who had been dumb for thirty
years in Mendy, little village near Brest,
promises to transform this heretofore OBJ
scure place into a second Lourdes. AL
ready an altar has been erected and
priests installed in an al fresco shrine,
and hundreds Of pilgrims from neighbor-
ing cities and provinces are f1ocking to
the spot .... .~.
The healed woman is Marie Raguenes,
who was born and raised in Mendy. She
is now 40 years old. At the age Of II
Marie had a severe attack Of typhoid
fever and, tho she survived the malady,
she lost her speech entirely. Five years
later she lost her parents. AS she was
not prepossessing in appearance and
could not make herself understood, except
by signs, it was difficult for her to find
employment and often she was compelled
to beg in order to keep from actual starry
alton. -. D.. s.. i. zr.. ~. IL
For the last four years she was en-
ployed by peasant, to herd cows, an oc-'
cupation regarded around Brest as the
most mental for woman. For nearly.
three decades Marie had been praying.
ferevently to be healed, but her supplica-
tons remained unanswered until two
weeks ago.
Marie Tells Her Story.
OF her marvellous cure, Marie speaks as
follows:
1.-TWO weeks ago last Wednesday, to-
ward shutdown, I was on my way home
with the cows, when, as came near the
little grotto at the edge Of the Park Of
Kerleon,. felt sudden impulse to kneel
down in prayer. The sun was just setting
and the horizon was brilliantly colored.
II had knelt perhaps five minutes and
was about to rise when I was suddenly
confronted by an old man with long,
white beard He looked at me medita-
lively. His right hand leaned on an al
penstock. His hat and garments showed
| much wear, his shoes were coarse and
dust-covered, and he wore a long, gray
mantle. ., ~. q
II was frightened at first. but his voice
was full of kindness and sweetness. He
said earnestly: Fear not, my daughter;
I will not harm thee. come to bring thee
help, to answer the prayer thou hast sent
to heaven in silence for years.
II almost tainted when hear my own
lips shout, perhaps thou art the Lord
Jesus Christ III. 49,
"'No," replied the graybeard, 7 am only
His servant. But let not thy pride rule
thee now since thy prayer has been ans
wered. Serve the Lord as thou hast done
In the past by prayer and good works,
for the world Is not growing better and
| sins are In the increase
! with these words the strange old man
| disappeared like a spirit. My COWS had
run away and had all could do to over
take them. Then brought them home in
| safety, and when the farmer and his fam
| lily heard me give answer to their ques-
| lions they were stricken with awe"
| Cure Pronounced Miracle.
DR.. Maurice jacques famous Brest
physician, has examined the woman, and
pronounced the cure miraculous. The
villagers who have known Marie since
childhood vouch for her piety and verac-
ity The skeptics would explain the re-
storation Of speech to the sudden attack
Of fright at the sight Of the stranger, but
Marie says that in her work she has often
been frightened more intensely than on
| this occasion.
at any rate the bulk of the population
! believes a miracle has been wrought A
society has been formed, and it Is In
tended to erect a chapel in the grotto
near the park.
| What attitude the French Government
! will take toward the movement Is some
what problematical. The question Of stop
ping the pilgrimages to Lourdes this year
is still under consideration. The fate of
the Mendy pilgrimages will depend on
the Combes. Cabinets decision.
Mexico has now 10000 American residents
and 1923. 900, 900 American money. .*