PASTORAL letter of Mgr. the Bishop of Tarbes, pronouncing judgment in the case of the Apparition which took place at the Grotto of Lourdes.
BERTRAND-Sévère-Laurence, by the Divine Mercy and the favor of the Holy Apostolic See, Bishop of Tarbes, Assistant to the Ponitifical Throne, etc.
To the clergy and faithful of our diocese salutation and benediction in Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In all epochs of humanity, Our Beloved Co-operators and Very dear Brothers, a marvelous communication has subsisted between heaven and earth. At the commencement of the world, the Lord appeared to our first parents in order to reproach them with the crime of their disobedience. In following ages, we find Him conversing with the Patriarchs and the Prophets; and the Old Testament is often the history of the celestial Apparitions with which the children of Israel were favored.
Such divine favors were not to cease with the Mosaic dispensation; on the contrary they were to be under the law of grace more numerous and more striking.
In the very cradle of the Church, in those times of bloody persecution, the Christians were in the habit of being visited by Jesus Christ or by Angels, who came, sometimes to reveal to them the secrets of the future, sometimes to deliver them from their chains, sometimes to strengthen them for the combats they were to endure. It was thus―according to the idea of a judicious writer―that God encouraged those illustrious Confessors of the faith, at a time when the mighty of the earth were uniting all their efforts to stifle in its germ that doctrine by which the world was to be saved.
These supernatural manifestations were not exclusively confined to the first ages of Christianity. History attests that they have been perpetuated from age to age for the greater glory of Religion and the edification of the Faithful.
In the ranks of celestial Apparitions those of the Blessed Virgin occupy a prominent place, and have been an abundant source of blessings for the world. In traversing the Catholic universe, the traveler meets with temples consecrated to the Mother of God, built at no great distance from each other; and several of these edifices owe their origin to an Apparition of the Queen of Heaven. We have already one of these blessed Sanctuaries in our part of the country―Our Lady of Garaison―founded, four centuries ago, in consequence of a revelation made to a young shepherd-girl. Thousands of pilgrims repair thither every year to kneel before the throne of the Glorious Virgin Mary to implore her kindness.
Thanks be to the Almighty! in the infinite treasures of his goodness, he has reserved for us a fresh favor. He wills that in the diocese of Tarbes a new sanctuary should be elevated to the glory of Mary. And what instrument has He employed to communicate to us His merciful designs? It is one which would be deemed the weakest in the eyes of the world, a child aged fourteen years, Bernadette Soubirous, born of poor parents at Lourdes.
[Here the Bishop gave a summary of the Apparitions of the Most Blessed Virgin, with which the reader is already acquainted. Mgr. Laurence then proceeded to the discussion of the facts.]
Such is substantially, [continued the Prelate,] the narration as we gathered it from the lips of Bernadette, in presence of the Commission, which had been assembled for the purpose of hearing her account a second time.
Thus this young girl is said to have seen and heard a being styling herself the 【Immaculate Conception】and which, albeit clothed in human form, is said to have been neither seen nor heard by any of the numerous spectators who were present at the scene. It is said, consequently, to have been a supernatural being. What must we think of all this?
You are well aware, beloved Brethren, that the Church exercises a wise deliberation in her appreciation of supernatural facts; she demands positive proofs, before admitting them and proclaiming them Divine. Since the original fall, man, more especially in matters of this nature, is subject to many errors. If not led astray by his reason, which has become so weak, he is liable to be the victim of the artifices of the Devil. Who does not know that the Evil one transforms sometimes into an angel of light in order that we may fall more easily into his snares. Thus the beloved Disciple recommends us not to believe every spirit, but to try the spirits, whether they be of God. This trial, dearly beloved Brethren, we have already made. The occurrences, of which we are now speaking to you, have been a cause of anxiety to us for the last four years. We have followed them in their different phases; we have received suggestions from our Commission, composed of pious, learned and experienced priests, who have interrogated the child, studied the facts, and examined into and well weighed everything. We have also called in the authority of Science, and we have remained firmly convinced that the Apparition is Supernatural and Divine, and, consequently, that what Bernadette saw, was the ⎩Blessed Virgin Mary⎭. Our conviction has been formed on the testimony of Bernadette, and more especially so after taking into consideration the facts which have been produced, and which admit of no explanation but that of divine intervention.
The testimony of the young girl offers all the guarantees we can possibly desire. There cannot be the slightest doubt as to her sincerity. Who does not, when coming in contact with her, admire her simplicity, modesty and candor? While everybody is discussing the marvels which have been revealed to her, alone, she remains silent. She never speaks unless when questions are put to her; then she enters into details without the slightest affectation, and with the most touching ingenuousness; and her answers to the numerous questions addressed to her are given without hesitation; are clear, precise, very much to the purpose, and bearing the impress of deep conviction.
Subjected to rough trials, she has never been shaken by threats, and she has declined the most generous offers with noble disinterestedness. Always d’accord avec elle-même, she has, in the different interrogatories to which she has been subjected, constantly adhered to her first statement, neither adding to nor taking away from it. Bernadette’s sincerity is therefore incontestable. Let us add that it has never been contested. Even those who opposed her, have themselves rendered her this homage.
But granting that Bernadette had no wish to deceive others, is it not possible that she was deceived herself? For instance, did she not fancy she saw and heard what she neither saw nor heard? Was she not the victim of a hallucination? How could we believe this for a moment? The wisdom of her replies reveals in the child a soundness of mind, a calmness of imagination, and a fund of good sense beyond her years. In her the religious feeling she has never displayed any over-excited character; it has never been proved that she suffered from any intellectual derangement, oddity of disposition, or morbid affection which might have predisposed her to indulge in creations of the imagination. She has had this vision, not once only, but as often as eighteen times; she saw it for the first time suddenly, when nothing could have prepared her for what was to be accomplished later on; and during the Quinzaine, when she expected to see the vision every day, she saw nothing for two days, although she was placed in the same way and in identical circumstances. And then what took place during the time the Apparitions were before her? Bernadette was transformed; her countenance assumed a new expression, her eyes kindled, she saw things which she had never before seen, she heard language which she had never before heard, the sense of which she did not always understand, but the remembrance of which she did not fail to retain. These circumstances joined together, preclude the idea of hallucination. The young girl has therefore really seen and heard a being styling herself the Immaculate Conception, and it being impossible to account for the phenomenon naturally, we have just ground for believing that the Apparition was supernatural.
The testimony of Bernadette―in itself of considerable importance―acquires altogether new strength―we might say its complement―from the marvelous occurrences which have taken place since the first event. If a tree should be judged by its fruits, we may affirm that the Apparition, as narrated by the girl, is supernatural and divine, for it has produced supernatural and divine effects. What then happened, dearly beloved Brethren? The Apparition was scarcely heard of, when the news spread with the rapidity of lightning; it was known that Bernadette was to repair to the Grotto for the space of fifteen days, and the whole country was aroused. Crowds of people streamed towards the place of the Apparition; they waited for the solemn hour with religious impatience; and while the girl, beside herself with ravishment, was absorbed by the object of her contemplation, the witnesses of this prodigy, deeply affected and melted to tenderness, were mingled in a common feeling of admiration and prayer.
The Apparitions have ceased; but the concourse of people continues, and pilgrims, arriving from distant countries as well as from the neighboring districts, hasten to the Grotto. They are of all ages, all ranks and all conditions. And by what feelings are these numerous strangers urged to visit the place? Ah! they come to the Grotto in order to pray and to demand favors of one kind or other from the Immaculate Mary. They prove, by their recollected behavior, that they are sensible as it were of a divine breath which vivifies this rock, from henceforth forever celebrated. Souls, already Christian, have become strengthened in virtue; men frozen with indifference have been brought back to the practices of religion; obstinate sinners have been reconciled with God, after Our Lady of Lourdes had been invoked in their favor. These marvels of grace, bearing the stamp of universality and duration, can only have God for their author. Consequently, have they not come for the express purpose of confirming the truth of the Apparition?
If from effects produced for the good of souls, we pass to those which concern the health of the body, how many new prodigies have we not to recount?
Our readers will not have forgotten the gushing forth of the Spring, from which Bernadette drank and in which she washed herself, in the presence of the assembled multitude. It would be superfluous to repeat here the details.
Persons suffering from sickness, [resumes the Bishop,] tried the water of the Grotto, and not without success. Many, whose infirmities had resisted the most energetic treatment, suddenly recovered their health. These extraordinary cures acquired immense notoriety, and their fame soon spread far and wide.
The sick of all countries requested to have some of the water of Massabielle sent to them, when they were unable to repair themselves to the Grotto. How many bowed down with infirmities have been cured, how many families consoled! If we wished to invoke their testimony, innumerable voices would be raised to proclaim, in accents of gratitude, the sovereign efficacy of the water of the Grotto. It would be impossible for us to enumerate here all the favors which have been obtained; but there is one thing of which we are bound to inform you, which is, that the water of Massabielle has cured many who had been given over and pronounced incurable. These cures have been effected by the use of a water, which, according to the report of eminent Chemists who have subjected it to a minute analysis, is destitute of any curative properties. They have been effected in some instances instantaneously, in others after the repetition of the application of this water two or three times, either internally or externally. Further, these cures are permanent. What then is the power which has produced them? Is it the power of the organism? Scientific men, when consulted on the subject have replied in the negative. These cures are then the work of God. Now they are connected with the Apparition; she it is who is their starting point; she it was who inspired the sick with confidence; consequently there is an intimate connection between the cures and the Apparition; The Apparition is Divine, since the cures bear the seal of the Divinity. From this it follows that the Apparition, having styled herself the Immaculate Conception, was the Most Blessed Virgin whom Bernadette saw and heard! Let us then exclaim: The finger of God is here! Digitus Dei est hic.
How can we but admire, dearly beloved Brethren, the economy of divine Providence! At the end of the year 1854, the immortal Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The words of the Pontiff were echoed in the most distant parts of the world; Catholic hearts thrilled with joy, and the glorious privilege of Mary was everywhere celebrated with fétes, the souvenir of which will remain forever engraved on our memory. And behold, about three years afterwards, the Blessed Virgin, appearing to a child, says to her: I am the Immaculate Conception―I desire that a chapel should be erected here to my honor. Does she not appear to wish to consecrate by a monument the infallible oracle of the successor of St. Peter?
And where does she desire that this monument should be erected? It is at the foot of our Pyrenean mountains, a country where numerous foreigners meet together, coming from every part of the world in search of health at our warm baths. May it not be said that she invites the faithful of all nations to come and honor her in the new temple which shall be erected to her?
Inhabitants of Lourdes, rejoice!―the august Mary condescends to regard you with her merciful eyes. It is her will that a sanctuary should be built to her honor near your town, in which she will abundantly pour forth her benefactions. Be thankful to her for this pledge of predilection which she gives you, and since she lavishes on you the tenderness of a mother, show yourselves to be her devoted children by the imitation of her virtues and your unshaken attachment to Religion.
Besides, it is with pleasure we recognize the fact, that the Apparition has already produced among you abundant fruits of salvation. Being eye witnesses of the occurrences at the Grotto and of their happy results has given you great confidence and strong conviction. We have ever admired your prudence, your docility in following the advice tendered by us of submission to the civil authorities, at a time when for the space of several weeks, you were obliged to cease your visits to the Grotto, and to compress, in your own hearts, the sentiments inspired by the spectacle which had so impressed you during the Quinzaine of the Apparitions.
And all of you in our diocese, whether Priests or Laity have opened your hearts to the influence of hope and a new era of grace is commencing for you: you are called upon to reap your share in the benefits which are promised to us. In your supplications and canticles, you will henceforth mingle the name of Our Lady of Lourdes with the blessed names of Our Lady of Garaison, of Poeylaün, of Héas and of Piétat.
From above these sacred sanctuaries, the Immaculate Virgin will watch over you and shield you with her tutelary protection. Yes, beloved fellow-laborers, and beloved brothers in Christ, if, with our hearts full of trust, we keep our eyes steadily fixed on that “Star Of The Sea,” we shall, without fear of shipwreck, pass through the tempests of life, and reach in safety the haven of eternal felicity.
FOR THESE REASONS:
After having conferred with our venerable Brothers, the Dignitaries, Canons and Chapter of our Cathedral Church:
The Holy Name of God being duly invoked; taking for our guidance the rules wisely traced by Benedict XIV.―in his work on the Beatification and Canonization of Saints―for the discernment of Apparitions true or false;
Seeing the favorable report which has been presented to us by the Commission charged with obtaining all information relative to the Apparition at the Grotto of Lourdes, and its attendant circumstances;
Seeing the written testimony of the Physicians and Surgeons whom we have consulted on the subject of the numerous cures obtained in consequence of the use of the water of the Grotto;
Considering, in the first place, that the fact of the Apparition―viewed either with reference to the young girl who reported it, or more especially with reference to the extraordinary effects which it has produced―can only be accounted for through the medium of a supernatural cause;
Considering, in the second place, that this cause can but be divine, since the effects produced by it show sensible signs of grace such as the conversion of sinners, others show deviations from the ordinary laws of nature such as miraculous cures which can only be referred to the Author of Grace and to the Lord of nature;
Considering, in short, that our conviction is strengthened by the vast and spontaneous concourse of the faithful at the Grotto―a concourse that has not ceased since the first Apparitions, having for its object to request favors, or to return thanks for those already obtained;
In order to respond to the legitimate impatience of our Venerable Chapter, of the clergy, of the laity, of our diocese, and of so many pious souls, who have long been demanding from the Ecclesiastical Authority a decision which motives of prudence have induced us to defer;
Wishing, also, to satisfy the pious wishes of many of our Colleagues in the Episcopacy, and of a great number of eminent personages strangers to our diocese;
After having invoked the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and the assistance of the Most Blessed Virgin,
WE HAVE DECLARED AND DO DECLARE AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1.―We pronounce judgment that the IMMACULATE MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, really appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, on the eleventh of February, 1858, and following days, to the number of eighteen, in the Grotto of Massabielle, near the town of Lourdes; that this Apparition is invested with every character of truth, and that the faithful have good ground for believing it to be certain.
We submit, with all humility, our judgment to the judgment of the Sovereign Pontiff, to whom is committed the government of the universal Church.
Article 2.―We authorize the worship of Our Lady of the Grotto of Lourdes in our diocese; but we prohibit the publication of any particular formula of prayers, of any canticle, or of any book of devotion bearing on this event, without our approbation given in writing.
Article 3.―In order to conform ourselves to the will of the Blessed Virgin―several times expressed by the Apparition at that period―we propose to proceed to the erection of a sanctuary on the site of the Grotto, the proprietorship of which is now vested in the Bishops of Tarbes for the time being.
This edifice, when we take into consideration the steep and difficult locality we have to deal with, will require much labor and relatively a very considerable outlay of money. In order, therefore, to realize our pious scheme, we shall need the cooperation of the priests and the faithful of our diocese, as well as the priests and the faithful of France and of foreign countries. We appeal to their generous hearts, and more especially to all the pious persons of all countries, who are devoted to the worship of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Article 4.―We address ourselves with confidence to the establishments of both sexes, consecrated to the education of youth, to the Congregations of the Children of Mary, to the confréries of the Blessed Virgin and to the different pious Associations, whether in our own diocese or in the whole of France.
On the Sunday following its reception, this, our pastoral letter, shall be read and published in all the parish churches, as also in the chapels and oratories of the seminaries, colleges and hospitals of our diocese.
Given at Tarbes, in our Episcopal Palace, under our signature and seal of the counter-signature of our secretary, on the 18th of January, 1862, being the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome.
✠ BERTRAND SEVERE,
Bishop of Tarbes.
By order, FOURCADE, Canon-Secretary.
