The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-05-01
AN AFRICAN STORY.
BY a Catholic Missionary About Two
~ sei,y. Zulu Girls,

n Of. Thugga, Vic. APP. of Natal, writing
for Rome, published in the Eternal City
gives most interesting account Of
two native girls of Africa whom he
II believes to have been possessed by the
4 devil.
.Esditorially. the magazine says OF
the article:
- 1--WE venture to think that Mgr. Del
4 GILES article in the present number
Of Rome is the most interesting and
authentic account of the demoniacal
possession ever printed In modern
times: Dealings with the devil are
by no means SO infrequent in our time
as people generally are prone to be-
fieye. and the witch doctors of many
parts of darkest Africa are very often
recognized agents of the evil one. The
society for "Psychical research
might well devote some of it's atten-
tion to phenomena. Of the kind de-
scribed from personal experience by
his Lordship Mgr. Delalle. They
might serve to explain a great many
of the manifestations Of "spiritism" in
- civilized countries.
+ Mgr. Delalle's article is as follows:
Two months ago promised the edi-
tor of Rome relation of certain facts
which happened in my vicariate in
May, 1907, concerning two native girls
whom I believe to have been possessed
by the devil.
shall simply relate the facts, with
out a word of comment, and shall con-
tent myself with vouching for their
absolute truth. If any one thinks die
ferently from me on the subject. hs
Is quite free to do so; I mean. pro-
vided he admits the facts. he may
draw his own conclusions.
There is in the vicariate of Natal
a mission now in charge of the Trap
4 pist fathers. where great deal Of
good is done. although it was a long
time before any results could he seen.
This mission is dedicated to st. Mi
chael. and about twenty miles from
the nearest village, the n1agstracy Of
Umzinto.
For several months. was constantly
receiving letters from the priest In
charge Of st. Michaels in which he do
clared that two girls of the mission
native school were possessed by the
devil, and asked permission 10 prac-
tice the solemn exorcisms. After
some time l allowed him to do so and
things were quieter for a little while
but soon the distressing phenomena
reappeared worse than before. I was
very much annoyed, and hardly be-
lieNed it was a case of possession. but
rather put it down to Mysteries. I'm
able to 60 at the time. I gave per-
mission to the abbot of Marian hill
either to go himself or delegate a
priest who could inquire into the facts.
and If necessary. exercise the girls
But a few days later. ! found ] coul.i
go myself and wrote to st. Mchaels
telling the priest to expect NE on the
Tuesday following: I should he &C
companied by Father Garrigan of
Umzinto,
At the last moment I changed my
/ mind as to my travelling companion.
! and took Father Delagues. o. NJ. T..
then in charge of the native mission
In Durham.
. We set out on the Monday and ar
sfived at st. Michaels on Tuesday at
noon.
(. / really did not believe it was A. case
4 OF possession and Father Delagues
laughed at the very idea Of It,
You may imagine therefore my an
noyance when. on arriving at the mis-
! sion, found the natives in eager ex-
pectation; the priest had told them
! that the bishop was coming to cast out
i the devils, and prayers had been said
every day for that intention, ! had.
! therefore. unless I wanted to lose all
j prestige and authority in the natives
d mind, to settle the case one way or the
other. So / turned to our Lord. and
+ told Him the whole thing was now
His affair and He had to help me.
We then went to see the two girls
( Germana and Monica. who We're kept
in separate rooms. and away from the
& other children. AS soon as Germana
saw me. she began to tremble and
n shake all over, shrinking from me.
! told her to kneel down, which she did
xpashing her teeth. Father Delagues
threatened to punish her if she did
not behave properly: he had no sooner
] said this, than she jumped up, in
i perfect fury: Because you are from
Durham" she said. you think you can
{ do-severything. even strike spirit!"
/ {P1ease note that she did not know
the priest. neither did she know whence
I Ne cameo She then began to- tear i,er