Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-03
THE MIRACLE OF BEzIERS.
How the Story Started and What It
Led To.

from tne rams Maun.
A pious woman OF Beziers has discov-
cred a miraculous statue in the local
cemetery. The statue, she says, has
spoken words OF comfort 10 her, and
with a handkerchief. on which the
statue left its blessing. she has cured
her daughter OF paralysis. The woman
went to the cemetery to pray at the
family grave. When she was going
away she saw a statue Of the Virgin
Mary over one OF the graves. The statue
was covered with moss, and the good
woman stopped in front OF ii. and said
Dear Virgin Mary. what sad plight
you are in" She took out her handker
chief and wiped the face OF the statue
which was covered with green mold and
moss When she had done SO the statue
suddenly became animated One of the
arms bent down, and the hand touched
the handkerchief. The virgin then spoke.
and said This cloth shall henceforth
be sacred. bless 1t in reward for your
piety.''
The woman was astonished. She left
the cemetery trembling and fastened
home, where her little daughter was ly-
ing on a couch i'll with paralysis. She
took the handkerchief and touched her
ment the paralytic child moved her
limbs, stood up and walked about. 1t
IL q miraciei" exclaimed the mother
She told her neighbors, and many peo-
pie have since been going to the ceme-
terry in procession TO the miraculous
statue.
But this is not all the story The al
legged miraculous statue has been caus-
ing trouble. Riotous scenes have taken
place near the cemetery. A number OF
persons who had expressed doubt 10
the truth OF the story about the mirac-
ulous virgin and the marvellous cures al
legged to have been effected got into n
dispute with some women who Were
mounting guard round the statue. There
would have been a hand-to-hand fight
had the police not come TO put an end to
the dispute.
A certain woman had appointed herself
guardian OF the statue, and in exchange
for small tips she took the handkerchiefs
Of visitors and touched the statue with
them, after which the handkerchiefs Were
supposed to have acquired a miraculous
virtue. The police put end 20 this
traffic. and when they expelled the WON
an from the cemetery she tried TO create
a riot. as she had several sympathizers.
Many invalids have been coming to the
cemetery, and. when not interfered with
by the police; have approached the
cured. One paralytic man is said TO
have been able to walk away without
his clutches, and a blind man is alleged
10 nave recovered MS sight. The clergy
Of Beziers. being informed OF these mat
tiers. issued the following non-committal
communication: I'VE learn that for the
last few days many people have visited
the old cemetery to see a so-called mi
raculouS statue of the virgin. The
clergy request the faithful not TO attach
any importance TO current rumors. as
In such cases one cannot be too circum-
spect. The greatest prudence is therefore
necessary"
The wisdom OF this warning is mani
fest when one learns that the woman who
was said to have cured her daughter by
the touch of the handkerchief with which
she had rubbed the moss from the statue
has made a statement to the authorities.
In 1t she declared that she had neither
seen the virgin nor heard her voice. and
that the whole incident amounted merely
to this, that she and her family were ac-
customed TO pray before this statue OF the
virgin in any time OF trouble. and that
their prayers had always been answered.
And so.' she said. ''as our little girl
had TO undergo an operation. went to
the cemetery TO pray. The operation. by
the grace Of tho virgin, was completely
successful. From that time my mother
and have continued In gratitude to Of
fer our prayers before the statue That
Is ALL