OUR LADY OF LOURDES.
FROM THE FRENCH OF HENRI LASSERRE.
PART IX.
VII.
PASTORAL LETTER OF THE BISHOP OF TARBES, GIVING HIS DECISION REGARDING THE APPARITIONS WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE GROTTO OF LOURDES.
"Bertrand-Severe Laurence, by the divine mercy, and the favor of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Tarbes, Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, etc. To the clergy and faithful of our diocese, health and benediction in our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Beloved co-laborers and most dear brethren: In all epochs of humanity, marvellous communications have taken place between earth and heaven. At the commencement of the world, the Lord appeared to our first parents to reproach them with their disobedience. During the ages which succeeded, we see him conversing with the patriarchs and prophets. The Old Testament is often nothing more than a history of the heavenly apparitions with which the children of Israel were favored. These favors did not cease with the Mosaic law; on the contrary, they became, under the law of grace, more striking, more numerous. In the infancy of the church, those times of bloody persecution, the Christians received visits from Jesus Christ and the angels, who came, sometimes, to reveal to them secrets of the future or to deliver them from their chains; at other times, to strengthen them for combat. Thus it was, according to a judicious writer, that God encouraged those illustrious confessors of the faith, when the powers of earth united to strangle in its cradle that truth which was to save the world.
"These manifestations from the other world were not the exclusive lot of the first centuries of Christianity. History attests that they have been continued from age to age, for the glory of religion and the edification of the faithful. Among these heavenly apparitions, those of the Blessed Virgin occupy a prominent place, and have been an abundant source of blessing to the world. As the traveller journeys over that part of the earth which has been the home of Christianity, he everywhere meets temples consecrated to the Mother of God; and many of them owe their origin to an apparition of the Queen of heaven. We already possess one of these blessed sanctuaries, founded four centuries ago, on account of revelations made to a young shepherdess, where thousands of pilgrims repair yearly to kneel before the throne of the glorious Virgin Mother Mary to implore her for special favors.[213]
"Thanks be to God Almighty!—for, among the treasures of his infinite bounty, he has reserved for us another favor. He desires that, in our diocese of Tarbes, a new sanctuary should rise to the glory of Mary. And what instrument has he made use of to communicate his merciful designs? One which would be the very weakest in the eyes of the world—a child of fourteen years, Bernadette Soubirous, one of the daughters of a poor family of Lourdes."
Here the bishop gives a summary of the apparitions. The reader is aware of them already. Mgr. Laurence then proceeds to discuss the facts:
"Such, in substance," he further continues, "is the account we ourselves heard from Bernadette, before the commissioners assembled to re-examine the affair.
"Thus, this young girl has seen a being calling herself the Immaculate Conception, who, although appearing in human form, was neither seen nor heard by any of the numerous spectators present at the scene. It was consequently some kind of a supernatural being. What is to be thought of such an event?
"You are well aware, dearly beloved brethren, that the church exercises a wise deliberation in determining supernatural facts, and that she demands certain proof before admitting them to be divine. Since the original fall, man has been liable to many errors, particularly in this matter. If not led astray by his reason, now weakened, he has suffered himself to become the dupe of the evil one. Who does not know that the devil sometimes transforms himself into an angel of light, in order to draw us into his snares? Thus the beloved disciple warns us not to believe every spirit, but to try the spirits if they come from God. This trial we have made. The event of which we are treating has been, for four years, the object of our solicitude; we have followed it throughout its various phases. We have consulted the commission, made up of pious, learned, and experienced priests, who have examined facts, questioned the little girl, weighed and deliberated concerning all. We have, also, invoked the authority of science, and remain firmly convinced that the apparition was supernatural and divine, and, consequently, that what Bernadette saw was really and truly the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Our conviction is based upon the testimony of Bernadette, but, more especially, upon the events which have transpired, and which can be explained only by supposing some heavenly intervention.
"The testimony of the little girl affords all the security that can be desired. Her sincerity cannot be doubted. No one who comes in contact with her can fail to admire her childish simplicity, candor, and modesty. While everybody is engaged in discussing these marvels, she keeps silence; she speaks only when questioned, and then relates everything without affectation, and with touching ingenuousness. She returns unhesitating, clear, and precise answers to the questions which are put to her, and conveys the impression of most perfect conviction of what she says.
"Though subjected to rude trials, she has never been shaken by threats. The most generous offers she has rejected with perfect disinterestedness. Always perfectly consistent, she has maintained her original statements throughout the numberless examinations she has undergone, without adding or withdrawing anything. The sincerity of Bernadette is, therefore, incontestable. We may add, it is uncontested. Those who have opposed her have rendered her this homage at least.
"But, admitting that she has not intended to deceive others, has she not been herself deceived? Has she not imagined that she saw something where nothing, in fact, existed? Has she not been the victim of a hallucination? The good sense displayed in her answers reveals an accurate mind, a quiet imagination, and a sound judgment, surpassing her age. Her religious sentiments have never possessed the character of enthusiasm; nothing has been remarked about the young girl indicating intellectual disorder, or any eccentricity of character, any alteration of the senses or morbid affection which predispose her to imaginations of this kind. She has had this vision, not once, but eighteen times; then, it has appeared suddenly, when nothing could have prepared her for what was about to take place; and, during the fortnight when she daily expected it, she saw nothing for two days, though placed in circumstances entirely similar to those of the previous occasion.
"But what took place during the time of these apparitions? A complete transformation was effected in Bernadette herself. Her countenance assumed a new expression, her features were lit up; she saw things which she had never seen before, and heard a language which she does not ordinarily understand, but of which she preserved the memory. These combined circumstances do not admit the possibility of hallucination. The little girl has really seen and heard a being who calls herself the Immaculate Conception; and, since we cannot explain this phenomenon naturally, we are forced to attribute it to a supernatural cause.
"The testimony of Bernadette derives additional force, its confirmation, we should say, from the wonderful events which have accompanied it throughout.
"If the tree is to be judged by its fruits, we can certainly say that the apparition described by the little girl is supernatural and divine. For it has produced supernatural and divine effects. What, then, has happened, dearly beloved? Scarcely was the apparition made known, when the news spread with the rapidity of lightning. It was known that Bernadette was to visit the grotto daily for a fortnight. The whole land is astir. Streams of people flow to the place of apparition. They await, with religious impatience, the solemn hour. And when the girl appears, rapt and absorbed in the object of her ecstasy, the witnesses of this prodigy, moved and softened, are melted in a sentiment of admiration and prayer. The apparitions have now ceased, but the throng continues. Pilgrims come from distant lands. Every age and rank and condition is to be seen kneeling before the grotto. What sentiment moves these countless visitors? Ah! they come to the grotto to implore the special help of the Immaculate Mary. They prove by their recollected mien that they breathe the divine atmosphere which surrounds these hallowed rocks, already become famous. Christian souls are strengthened in virtue; men frozen up by indifference are brought back to the practice of religion; hardened sinners are reconciled to God when Our Lady of Lourdes has been invoked in their behalf. These wonders of grace, which are complete and lasting, can have no author save God. Do they not strikingly confirm the truth of the apparitions? If we now pass from effects wrought for the salvation of souls to those which concern the healing of bodily ills, how many prodigies must we not recount?"
Our readers have not forgotten the breaking forth of the spring, at which Bernadette drank and washed, before the assembled crowds. It will be superfluous to repeat these details. The bishop continues:
"Sick persons have made use of the water, and not without success. Many, whose diseases have resisted most energetic treatment, have suddenly recovered health. These extraordinary cures have been noised abroad. Invalids from all quarters have sent for this Massabielle water, when unable to transport themselves to the grotto.
"How many infirm have been cured, how many afflicted families have been consoled!
"If we wished to call for their testimony, countless voices would be lifted up in acknowledgment of the sovereign efficacy of this water. We cannot here enumerate all the favors obtained; but what we are obliged to say, is, that the Massabielle water has cured desperate invalids who had been declared incurable. These cures have been worked by the use of water devoid of any healing properties, according to the acknowledgments of skilful chemists, after rigorous analysis. Some cures have been wrought instantaneously, others after using the water twice or thrice as a drink or lotion. Moreover, these cures are permanent. What power has wrought them? Some organic power? Science answers negatively. They are, therefore, the work of God. But, they refer to the apparitions; these are their source; these have inspired the sick people with confidence. Hence, there is an intimate connection between the cures and the apparitions. The apparition is divine, because the cures bear the seal of divine power. But that which comes from God is true; and, therefore, the apparition which Bernadette saw and heard, and which gave itself the name of the Immaculate Conception, is the Blessed Virgin herself. Well may we cry out: The finger of God is here! Digitus Dei est hic.
"How, then, can any one fail to admire the economy of divine Providence? At the end of the year 1854, the immortal Pius IX. proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The whole earth re-echoed the words of its supreme pastor; Catholic hearts trembled with joy, and everywhere the glorious privilege of Mary was celebrated by fêtes, which will ever remain graven in the memory of those who witnessed them. And, behold, three years afterward, the Blessed Virgin appears to one of our children, and says: I am the Immaculate Conception: here will I have a chapel built in my honor. Does she not seem to desire to consecrate by this monument the infallible oracle of St. Peter?
"Where will she have this monument erected? At the foot of our own Pyrenees, where many strangers meet from all parts of the world to seek health at our waters. May we not say that she invites the faithful of all nations to come and honor her in the new temple which shall be built to her?
"Citizens of Lourdes, rejoice! The august Mary condescends to cast upon you her merciful eyes. She desires to build beside your walls a sanctuary stored with blessings. Thank her for this token of predilection; and, since she lavishes her motherly tenderness upon you, show yourselves her children by imitating her virtues, and by a fixed attachment to religion.
"It is with joy that we acknowledge the fruits of salvation which the apparition has already caused to spring up abundantly among you. Eye-witnesses of the events at the grotto and their happy results, your confidence has been as great as your conviction has been strong. We have ever admired your prudence and docility in following our counsels of obedience and submission to the civil authority, when for some weeks you were hindered from visiting the grotto, and were forced to restrain in your own hearts the sentiments inspired by what you had there beheld during the fortnight of the apparitions.
"And you, our well-beloved children, open your hearts to hope. A new era of grace and benediction has dawned upon you; you are called to share in what has been promised to all. In your prayers and canticles, henceforth, you will mingle the name of Our Lady of Lourdes with the blessed titles of Our Lady of Garaison, of Poeylaün, of Héas, and of Piétat.
"From these sanctuaries the Immaculate Virgin will watch over you, and cover you with the shield of her protection. Yes, beloved co-laborers and dearest brethren, if, with hearts full of confidence, we fix our glance upon this 'Star of the Sea,' we shall pass without fear of shipwreck through the tempests of life, and arrive safely in the haven of eternal bliss.
"WHEREFORE:
"Having consulted with our venerable brethren, the dignitaries, canons, and chapter of our cathedral church;
"The holy name of God having been invoked; following the rules laid down by Benedict XIV., in his work on Beatification and Canonization of Saints, for discerning true and false apparitions; seeing the favorable report of the commission charged with the examination of the apparition at the grotto of Lourdes, and the facts connected with it;
"Seeing the written testimony of the medical doctors, whom we have consulted in reference to the numerous cures obtained by use of water from this grotto;
"Considering, in the first place, that the fact of the apparition, whether in regard to the effects produced upon her who saw it, or its other extraordinary results, cannot be explained by natural means;
"Considering, secondly, that the cause cannot be other than divine, by reason of the effects which have followed its operation, such as the conversion of sinners and derogation from the fixed laws of nature, namely, miraculous cures, which can only come from him who is the author of grace and nature;
"Considering, finally, that our own conviction is strengthened by the immense and spontaneous concourse of the faithful, which has never ceased at the grotto since the first apparitions, and whose only object is to implore favors or return thanks for those which have been already obtained;
"In response to the just impatience of our venerable chapter, of the clergy and laity of our diocese, and of so many pious souls who have long been calling upon the ecclesiastical authority for a decision which prudence has caused us hitherto to refrain from giving;
"Desiring, also, to satisfy the wishes of several of our colleagues in the episcopate, and of many distinguished strangers to our diocese;
"Having invoked the light of the Holy Ghost, and the assistance of the Blessed Virgin,
WE HAVE DECLARED, AND HEREBY DECLARE AS FOLLOWS:
"Art. 1. We, decide that the Immaculate Mary, the Mother of God, really did appear to Bernadette Soubirous, on the eleventh of February, 1858, and on several days following, altogether eighteen times, in the Massabielle Grotto, near the town of Lourdes; that this apparition has every guarantee of truth, and that the faithful have solid reason for believing it to be certain.
"We submit ourselves humbly to the judgment of the Sovereign Pontiff, to whom belongs the government of the universal church.
"Art. 2. We authorize in our diocese the worship of Our Lady of the Grotto of Lourdes; but we prohibit any particular prayers, any canticle, any book of devotion, to be published on this subject without our written approbation.
"Art. 3. In conformity with the desire of the Blessed Virgin, several times expressed during her apparitions, we propose to build a shrine on the site of the grotto, which has now become the property of the Bishop of Tarbes.
"This edifice, on account of its steep and rocky foundation, will require great labor and expense. We need, therefore, to carry out our design, the assistance of the priests and faithful of our own diocese, of our country, France, and also from abroad. We appeal to all generous hearts, and particularly to all persons of every country who are devoted to the worship of the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
"Art. 4. We address with confidence all institutions of either sex consecrated to the education of youth, to the congregations of the 'Children of Mary,' to the confraternities of the Blessed Virgin, and other pious societies of our own diocese, and throughout France.
"This, our pastoral, shall be read and published in all the churches, chapels, seminaries, colleges, and hospices of our diocese on the Sunday following its reception.
"Given at Tarbes, in our episcopal palace, under our seal and signature, and the counter-signature of our secretary, January 18, 1862, being the feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome.
"✠ Bertrand-Sre., Bishop of Tarbes.
"By order, Fourcade, Canon-Secretary."