The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-03-27
NOTORIOUS ATHEIST
BECOMES A CATHOLIC

me .Cerro Espanol,' a secular paper
OF Madrid, brings an account of a re-
iiidrkdble conversion which has lust
Idheh place in Spain. The subject of
d recent remarkable cure Is the famous
spanish poet, Sebastian de Luuue. De
Luque has. for years, been an atheist
ana one of the most radical writer's in
the Land of Cid. His poetry has ranked
win the work of the greatest poets in
rance and Spain, but his philosophy
mas peen that of the schools of Haekel
and other freethinkers of Germany.
he mas been contributor in Spanish,
frehch and Italian to the leading Rad
icaI publications of Europe. His style
s emlnently correct, facile and elegant
ana ms prose the equal of his verse
out MS whole message has been the
coming Of 3. new humanity which
would not recognize the existence of a
God or of any law founded upon re-
llglon of any sort. While his style was
most classic and artistic, his subject
matter was considered the most death
ly Of any Radical writer in Europe.
OF course, there was great Liberal
clamor of praise for him, and he lived
hearing constantly the hosannas of
such freethinkers as Cristobal de Cas-
tro, Jules Gambia and Zamacois. Yet
a change was at hand. Suddenly. in
the midst of his success, he was
struck down by paralysis, to which
were attached an affection of the heart
and congestion of the brain. and for
two years he was stretched PROSTATE.
The leading physicians of Spain, such
men as ROvira. Semprunn. Gueda
Olano, Cervea. Veymut and. finally,
the greatest specialist, Mariani, treated
him, but al retired, saying his case was
hopeless. He was finally left practical
ly alone in No. IS IN the rincess hos
pital Of Santiago. He was only 90
years of age, but pale and a nervous
wreck. Already modification had set
i'm around his throat, and his eyes had
that fixed, CLASSY stare that comes be-
fore the end.
While he lay there Sister of Char
ity passed through the hospital and
began conversation with him, pity
ing his youth and hopeless condition.
She finally said to him, without know
ing his personality; Senior, may / ask
you a fayor?" You may. Sister" he
replied. She then told him that there
was soon to be celebrated the feast of
the Blessed Virgin of the Miraculous
Medal, and asked him to join her in a
novena for the cure of his infirmity. At
first he scoffed at her proposition, but
finally agreed with her that it could do
no possible harm. The novena was be-
gun and his suffering increased. On
the eighth day it seemed that death
would ensue at any moment The fa-
NOUS Mariani was again brought in,
but. noticing his respiration. said that
death might occur at any moment.
Later he lapSed into Inconsistencies.
At $50 on the morning of the ninth
day there was another change The un-
conscious man awolse with a cry. de-
claring that he was sound and we'll.
He arose and to prove his discovery.
got up and walked about the room in
the presence of several who had been
attracted by his cry. The doctor was
called. and after an examination de-
clared that he was completely cured.
From that moment to this Sebastian de
Luque has lived in complete health, and
not only his bodily health perfect, but
he has a firm belief in and hope in
Christ. He declares that hereafter his
poems and all his other works shall be
dedicated TO the cause of Christ and in
honor of the Virgin of the Miraculous
Medal. who has given him back health
of soul and body.
The prominence of De Iuque and the
remarkable character of his cure have
made the incident create "a sensation
throughout Spain.