The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-12-07
when he did similar work.

when he did similar work.
Many visitors are expected to be
present tomorrow for the dedication
and preparations have been made for
their accommodations.
The history of the original Lourdes is
an interesting one and few, even Cath
olics, are familiar with It,
Because Of Its location near the
mountain passes in the Pyrnees Of
southern France. the important part
that 1t has play ed in history and it's
picturesqueness the little town of
Lourdes has always held a place in
history and geography.
1t was, however, not until the year
1855 when in sprang into the promin-
ence and fame that is now given it
throughout the world.
1t is the belief in the Catholic world
that on Feb. ii OF that year Marie
Bernardo Soubrious, better known as
"Beruadetts," I4-year-old shepherd
girl had vision while tending her
flock at MassabilIe, a part of the town
of Lourdes. She went TO her people
and told them OF beautiful lady she
had secR and asked them to come with
her TO the spot in order that they
might also see her. They. however,
paid no attention TO her and she re-
turned to the spot alone on two other
occasions and each time saw the ap-
partition. She told her parents again
and the priest of the village and they,
in order to satisfy the girl and their
curiosity which had been aroused, went
TO the spot. They. however. were not
10 be so fortunate as the little girl
and instead, found only a little spring
bubbling forth from the rocks. The
spring had not been there before Feb.
25 and Bernadette explained that 1t had
come there after she had lifted away
a little ground BY order of the beauti-
full lady, on her third appearance.
The mysterious appearance of water
and the straightforward story the
child told were too persistent to be
ignored, especially after several peo-
ple who gave the story more credit.
found the waters to be OF a healing
nature. It was then taken up in church
circles and fifteen years later the erec-
tion of beautiful chapel was begun
directly over the spot where Berna-
dette had seen the apparition. The
chapel was dedicated in 1876 in pres
ence OF thirty-hv cardinals and many
other ecclesiastical dignitaries Pill
grims began to seek the spot and it
was not long until the fame OF Lourdes
as miraculous healing place went
forth. 1t was then sought out BY
thousands or cripples and people for
whom there seemed 10 be no cure in
the medical world and hundreds of
these visitors left the shrine sound in
health. leaving their crutches and
wheel-chairs in the church as witness
es Of their cure. Flags from every
country brought there by visitors dec
crate the church
In the scientific world the origin OF
the water and its powers have always
remained q mystery and are still un-
solved today. No visitor leaves
Lourdes without carrying with him a
little OF the water and it has. even In
foreign countries, proved its healing
powers. For this reason and its wide
spread fame. limitations of It have al
ways served as good things for
fakirs.
Lourdes is dedicated by the Catholics
to the Virgin Mary. especially 10 her
Immaculate Conception" Thence the
dedication of the grotto at SchererviIle
tomorrow on the feast OF Immaculate
Conception.