THE sun rose brightly on the Sunday morning, and the weather was splendid. There are often in the valleys of the Pyrenees, days warm and mild, like those of spring, which seem to have strayed into the lap of winter.
On returning from Mass, Bernadette begged her sister Marie, Jeanne and some other girls, to urge her mother to remove her prohibition and to permit them to re-visit the Rocks of Massabielle.
“Perhaps it is something wicked,” said the chilren.
Bernadette replied that she could not believe such to be the case, as she had never seen a countenance of such marvelous goodness.
“At all events,” rejoined the little girls, who, being better educated than the poor shepherd-girl of Bartrés, knew a little of the catechism—“at all events, you must throw some holy water over it. If it is the Devil, he will depart. You shall say to it, if you come on the part of God, approach; if you come from the Devil, depart.”
This was not precisely the formulary for exorcism; but in point of fact these little theologians of Lourdes reasoned on the case with as much prudence and discretion as any Doctor in the Sorbonne.
It was therefore carried in this youthful council, to take some holy water with them. Besides, in consequence of all these conversations, a certain amount of apprehension had entered the mind of Bernadette.
Nothing remained now but to obtain permission. The children demanded this in a body after the mid-day repast. The mother was at first unwilling to grant their request, alleging that as the Gave flowed by and washed the Rocks of Massabielle, their going there might be attended with danger; the the hour of Vespers—which they must on no account miss—was near at hand, and that all this story was childish. But we know how difficult it is to resist the prayers and entreaties of a troop of children. All promised prudence, expedition and good behavior, and the Mother ended by giving way.
The little group proceeded to the Church and devoted a few moments to prayer. One of Bernadette’s companions had brought with her a pint bottle which was duly filled with holy water.
On their first arrival at the Grotto, there was no manifestation of any kind.
“Let us pray,” said Bernadette, “and recite the chaplet.”
The children accordingly kneeled down, and commenced to recite the Rosary.
All at once the countenance of Bernadette appeared to be transfigured, and was so in reality. An extraordinary emotion was depicted on her countenance, and her glance, more brilliant than usual, seemed to inhale a divine light.
The marvelous apparition had just become manifest to her eyes; her feet resting on the rock, and clothed as on the former occasion.
“Look!” she said; “she is there.”
Alas! the sight of the other children was not miraculously released, as was her own, from the veil of flesh which hinders us from distinguishing spiritualized bodies. The little girls perceived naught but the solitary rock and the branches of the wild rose which descended in a thousand wild arabesques to the base of the mysterious niche, in which Bernadette contemplated an unknown Being.
However, the expression of Bernadette’s countence was of such a nature, as to leave no room for doubt. One of the girls placed the bottle of holy water in the hands of the youthful Seer.
Then Bernadette, remembering the promise she had made, rose, and shaking the little bottle briskly several times, sprinkled the marvelous Lady, who stood, graciously, a few paces in front of her in the interior of the niche.
“If you come on the part of God, approach,” said Bernadette.
At these words and actions of the child, the Virgin bowed several times and advanced almost to the edge of the rock. She appeared to smile at the precautions and hostile weapons of Bernadette, and her countenance lighted up at he sacred name of God.
“If you come on the part of God, draw near,” repeated Bernadette.
But, when she observed her beauty so gloriously brilliant and so resplendent with celestial goodness, she felt her heart fail her at the moment of adding —“If you come on the part of the Devil, depart.” These words which had been dictated to her appeared monstrous in the presence of this incomparable Being, and they fled forever from her thought without having mounted to her lips.
She prostrated herself afresh and continued to recite the chaplet, to which the Virgin appeared to listen as her own beads glided through her fingers.
At the close of this prayer the Apparition vanished.
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