Where Are They Now?

September 7, 1957

Dear Diary,

After Mass this morning, our reading club met beneath the apple tree for the potluck dinner we had planned.

Sister Mary Claire brought a large pot of good old-fashioned Iowa chili. Father LeRoy supplied bread and butter, and we had warm blackberry cobbler with cream for dessert. Robert also brought a bottle of cold Jersey milk.

His other contribution surprised everyone. He arrived with a platter of tacos and a little brass handbell. When Father asked what he called his unusual dish, Robert rang the bell and announced, “Taco Bell!”

Nobody had ever heard of such a thing in 1957. We laughed and decided that Robert had invented both the food and the name.

Mini received a bowl of plain ground beef with a little dab of cream. She seemed to think the potluck had been arranged especially for her.

When dinner was finished, I read Part Six, which we called “Where Are They Now?” It told what had become of many of the people we had met throughout the story.

Those who had been miraculously healed were still in good health. Their continued recovery remained a living witness to the mercy shown at the Grotto.

Bishop Laurence was still serving as Bishop of Tarbes, and Father Peyramale had recovered from his illness. He remained the beloved Curé of Lourdes, always ready to help whenever there was good to be done.

We also learned that Bernadette’s mother died on December 8, 1866, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette’s father remained a poor miller, supporting his family through the work of his hands. Although a magnificent church was rising at Lourdes, the Soubirous family continued to live quietly and humbly.

Father said that the miracles did not end when the people returned home. Each healed person carried the story of Lourdes into the years ahead.

Now we have only one more meeting before we finish Our Lady of Lourdes. We will read the short epilogue together. I am thankful that we still have one final gathering beneath the apple tree to look forward to.

We ended with a prayer, thanking Our Blessed Mother for guiding our reading club and asking her to lead us always closer to Jesus.

Just as I said “Amen,” Robert rang his little bell once more.

Mini looked up quickly. I believe she thought it meant second helpings.

Love, Kathy