The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-05-28
KING EDWARDS
VISIT TO LoURDES


a notable example of reverence for
the religion of his Catholic subjects
On April 81 his Majesty visited the
: famous shrine of Our Lady at Lour-
des. He arrived in a motor car just
at the moment that one of the first
professions of the Blessed Sacrament
OF this year was passing. His Majesty
got out of the motor car and went to
the entrance of the basilica. He their
went down the northern flight of
steps. and when the Blessed Sacra-
ment was borne by the place where
the King was standing bareheaded he
bowed respectfully. His Majesty then
went to the grotto. On his way there
he met the Bishop of Tarbes and
spoke a few words to him When
King Edward arrived at the grotto he
again stood bareheaded, contemplate
ing with much interest the rock,
which was at one time so unknown
in locality both quiet and solitary,
but which has become so famous, and
to which journey so many visitors Of
all nations. The respectful attitude
of King Edward throughout this visit
to Lourdes made a very favorable i'm
preston upon the pilgrims who were
assembled there at the time.
Visits Monastery of Notre Dame at
Anjlet.
On Saturday, April 9, King Ed
ward visited the Monastery of Notre
Dame at Anjlet. He was received by
Mother Isabelle and Canon Etche-
barne. His Majesty was most anxious
to know all the details of the COM
munity life, and was extremely Kind
and gracious in his manner. The rev.
erend mother showed the King the
embroidery is so skillfully executed by
the nuns. The mother superior inter-
ested the royal visitor also by exhib-
lting various articles in fur made by
the sisters after directions given to
them by the late Queen Victoria when
she visited the convent. Her Majesty
then remarked the fine white rabbits
of which the community possessed
such q large number, and she in
CURED what was done with the fur of
these animals. Rev. Mother Isabelle
said it was sold as a thing of little
value, whereupon the Queen herself
gave the community full Instructions
as to how the fur could be converted
into most useful articles, suitable for
wear. Since then the nuns, by follow
ing these directions so kindly given
them, have been most successful in
manufacturing ties and stoles out of
the fur of the rabbits.
With the Bernardines.
At the conclusion of his visit to the |
Monastery of Notre Dame his Majesty |
walked across to the convent of the !
Bernardines, which is situated at a |
distance of about six hundred yards |
from the Monastery of Notre Dame. |
When he arrived at the Chapel of st.
Bernard, the place where Queen Vic
toria knelt to pray, was pointed out
to him. There is an inscription on
the wall as a souvenir of her visit.
The King read this, and then re-
NAMED for a few moments thought
full and silent, as if he were making
a short meditation.
On the occasion of Queen ViCtOria's
visit to this convent she arrived exact
ly as the nuns were going to VesperS.
She assisted at the office, and was so
impressed by the chanting of the Lit
any that she asked the sisters to send
her a copy of the music. She then
visited the chapel, known as La
Chapelle de Paille," and prayed there
also. A tablet recalls this memorable
fact, and it also states that the chapel
mas been likewise visited by the En-
oeror Napoleon Ill, the Empress Eu-
genie, the Infanta of Spain and Queen
Natalie of Servia The reverend
mother asked permission to have a $
lab placed on the wall as a memento
If King Edwards visit, and he gave
lis consent. r
The sisters of the Bernardine COM +
nunity were then presented to the a
ling. Canon Etchebarne explained to '
lis Majesty the rule they followed, T
nd that they observe a perpetual ST. +
ence At the conclusion of the royal h
isit the canon addressed the nuns as {
ollows: Z
THE King of England has gra- q
iously come to visit you today, dear +
listers. 1 know you will pray for him +
nd for all his family" V
The Bernardines then knelt down +
nd kissed the ground, custom of
he order when the members leave
he presence of a superior. This act
humility touched King Edward :
cry visibly, and many of his suite L
Tere also deeply moved and i'm $
ressed.
In the Nuns Cemetery. 7