The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-16


the most wonderful cure in the long
list of remarkable cures at Lourdes
that have bafled men of science for
fifty years past. We give here a brief
summary of the facts in this case.
Ernestfne Guiiloteau was a strong,
vigorous, healthy young woman OF
about % years OF age. IN February,
1905, She was laid low with tuberculous
peritonitis. She was bedridden for two
months. never fully regaining her
strength. This was followed by en-
teritis and tuberculosis. She could
now take no solid nourishment; being
confined to a diet of milk and "tisanes.
or diet drinks. After some months
even the milk was abandoned. She
continued in service as chamber maid
in house at Thouars, France drag
ging herself painfully about in the per-
formance of iler duties.
But on February il, 1908, she sue
cumbed entirely The tuberculosis had
spread through her system and invaded
the intestines. Her entire body was
devoured by the implacable disease,
which spread with rapidly. Soon it
was impossible to move her en- her
bed: the slightest touch causing in
tense suffering. Her attending physi-
clan, DR.. Valla- Broehart, states in his
medical certificate that many physi-
clans whom he consulted declared the
affection absolutely tuberculous. and
developed TO such an extent as to rem
der any intervention useless"
April 10 Frnestine was taken to the
hospital at Mort, where she was de-
clared incurable. A physician having
proposed an operation, DIR. Colon re-
fused, declaring that the case was too
-. ID l.
session of al the vital parts of the
stomach and intestines. Taken back
TO her home. her physicians marveled
that life could continue in her body.
From the month of May she fell into
swoons which lasted for days. with
short lucid intervals. Death seemed to
play with its victim.
In August she begged to join the
pilgrimage from Potion TO Lourdes-
mother, despite loud protests from
many who denounced the. folly and
crime Of moving her in such pitiable
condition. When she reached Lourdes,
August IS. 1908. she weighed about 46
pounds. her thigh measuring about
eight inches in circumference. For
several months her physicians had
used hypodermic injections to sustain
life.
During the procession of the blessed
sacrament at Lourdes August q she
remained seemingly dead. That night
they thought she was dying. At
O'Clock the prayers for the dying were
recited over her. But, at. o'clock in
the morning, her mother leaning close
to her suddenly caught the faint wills
per 81 wish to return TO the grotto."
Despite the doctors vigorous protests
they decided to obey. At O'Clock
the morning of August IS they returned
to the grotto, carrying Ernestine, now
once more apparently lifeless corpse.
A deathlike immobility has again taken
possession of her Prayers pour forth;
hymns break out about her; invoca-
tons, imperious and supplicating, re-
sound on all sides.
Mass is just finished. The blessed
sacrament is re-entering the church.
Head are bowed in silent alteration.
Ernestine's mother. bowed down with
the rest. raises her head once more.
Her startled gaze rests upon the empty
litter and before her, standing erect.
is her daughters skeleton, resting
lightly on the arm of litter bearer,
and walking toward the Church of the
Holy Rosary. Following her is a rap
idly increasing crowd, singing a tri-
umphal Magnificat," in an uproar of
enthusiasm.
A mere skeleton of dry bones COW
cred with the tightly drawn skin
without flesh and seemingly without
muscles, Ernestine enters the bureau
of veriication, and presents herself
before the assembled physicians for ex
animation The examination is long
one She moves about, apparently
without muscles, the natural means of
locomotion; she speaks, sits down
bends herself, performing all the vital
acts of healthy body.
At length DIR. Boissarie, usually SO
reserve cautious and noncommittal.
presents her to the five bishops who
happen to be present, with the simple
statement: This is not cure; it is
a resurrection
And when Rene Gael saw her, two
weeks later, in her own homie she
was still a living skeleton; but the
blood was beginning to circulate freely
the flesh was beginning to cover the
bones, and local physicians were watch
ing with intense interest day by day
her convalescence and steady advance
toward normal health and strength.
Isaac Austin Henderson, who died
recently in Rome, Italy. was the son
of a former partner of William Cullen
BRYANT and John Bigelow in the owner
ship of the New York Evening Post.
In 1872 he himself became connected
with the Post. of which he was made
assistant publisher in 1875 and from
1876 publisher stock holder, and a
member of the board of trustees. In
1880 he sold out his interest in the
paper. and the following year went
abroad, living IN Rome or London until
his death.
He had married Miss Marian Brown
of New York, a granddaughter of the
famous Quaker philanthropist, Lucre-
tia Mott, of Philadelphia. His wife
became Catholic several years after
their marriage, and was soon after fol-
lowed by her mother. then in her sew
entities. Henderson did not take the
step until 1896.
In Rome he and his intimate friend.
then Mgr Merry del Val, made 1t their
practice for years to pass every Sun
day afternoon with the poor boys of
the Trastevere quarter of the city.
Many worthy men can look back to
the influence of those two devoted
friends as the turning point in their
careers. Several are now in domestic
service at the Vatican. In recent let
ter his old friend. now Cardinal Merry
dol Val papal secretary of state saws.