Freedom to Pray

Dear Diary,

After Holy Mass today, we all met beneath the apple tree behind St. Mary’s. The leaves made dancing shadows across our books, and Mini settled beside me as Father asked me to read my chapter summary.

Today’s chapter told how the government continued to block the Grotto, even though the cures from its waters could not be denied. No disorder had taken place, and no one had been harmed. Still, barriers were raised and guards were posted, as though prayer itself were something dangerous.

Robert said, “If Bernadette had only discovered a useful mineral spring, the officials probably would have given her a medal.”

Sister Mary Claire nodded. “But because people knelt and prayed before drinking, the authorities called it superstition.”

Father said that true freedom must include the freedom to believe, to pray, and to ask God for help. He reminded us that the Church had not yet made an official judgment about the Apparitions, but the government had already judged against them without a fair examination.

Then Father closed his book and said, “We should be getting ready to leave Lourdes. We are nearing the end of our book.”

That made us all rather quiet and sad. It seems as though we have truly been traveling with Bernadette these many weeks. But Sister smiled and said, “Another good story will pop up just when we need it.”

For our treat, Sister brought soda crackers again, but this time Robert had a new chocolate-and-hazelnut spread called Nutella. We spread it between two crackers and voted on it immediately.

“Triple A!” Robert announced.

We all agreed—even Father. Mini received a plain cracker and appeared to give that a triple A rating too.

Before we left, I read our closing prayer:

Dear Lord, help us always to defend the freedom to love You, to pray to You, and to follow the truth without fear. Keep us faithful when others misunderstand us, and teach us to trust Your wisdom in all things. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.

Father gave us his blessing and dismissed the Reading Club. As we walked away beneath the apple branches, I felt sad that our journey through Lourdes was nearly finished—but also curious about where our next book might take us.

Good night, dear Diary.

Kathy

When the Grotto was Closed

July 18, 1957

Dear Diary,

After Holy Mass, our Reading Club met again in the clubhouse. Father LeRoy brought a tin of sugar cookies made by his housekeeper, and Robert brought a bottle of cold Jersey milk. Mini settled beneath the little table before we had even opened our books.

Father asked me to read my chapter summary.

I explained that the Prefect ordered Mayor Lacadé to close the Grotto. The Mayor did not seem eager to do it, but he was afraid of losing his position. He agreed to sign the order only after wording was added to show that he was merely obeying his superiors.

Soon barriers were built around the Rocks of Massabielle, and guards watched day and night. Notices warned the people not to enter, yet many still came as near as they could to kneel and pray.

Those who disobeyed were brought before Judge Duprat. He fined them five francs, but then unfairly made each person responsible for the court costs of everyone who had gone to the Grotto that day. A small fine could therefore become a terrible burden for a poor family.

When I finished, Robert said, “They tried to frighten the people away without appearing cruel.”

Sister Mary Claire nodded. “And Mayor Lacadé tried to escape responsibility by saying he was only obeying orders. But we are still responsible for the things we choose to do.”

Father LeRoy said the barriers could keep people from reaching the rocks, but they could not stop their prayers or their faith.

Then Father opened the cookie tin. The sugar cookies were soft in the middle and sprinkled with sugar on top. While everyone was talking, Robert broke off a tiny corner and quietly slipped it beneath the table. Mini took it very gently and then looked up at him as though she had been terribly neglected and might require another.

Before we left, Father asked me to read our prayer.

“Dear Blessed Mother, help us to remain faithful when doing what is right becomes difficult. Give courage to those who are treated unjustly, and teach us never to hide behind excuses when we know what God asks of us. Lead us always closer to Jesus. Amen.”

Father LeRoy blessed us and dismissed the club with the Sign of the Cross.

The officials had placed barriers around the Grotto, but I do not believe any barrier made by men can keep a sincere prayer from reaching Heaven.

Good night, dear Diary.

Love, Kathy

The Barrier at Massabielle

Dear Diary,

After Holy Mass, we met in the Reading Clubhouse, and Father LeRoy asked me to read my chapter summary.

The Prefect, Baron Massy, was determined to stop people from visiting the Grotto. Since drinking from the spring was not against the law, the authorities decided that because the land belonged to the town of Lourdes, the Mayor could forbid anyone from entering it.

On June 8, 1858, an order was issued forbidding people to take water from the spring or cross the land near Massabielle. A barrier was placed at the entrance, and anyone who disobeyed could be prosecuted.

Father said the order made an innocent act appear unlawful. Robert added that because the authorities could not prove the spring was harmful, they tried to keep everyone away. Sister Mary Claire reminded us that unjust actions are sometimes hidden beneath proper-sounding words.

For our treat, Sister served saltine crackers with chocolate frosting between two squares. They were sweet, salty, and very crisp. She also made one special cracker with peanut butter for Mini and asked Robert to give it to her. Mini accepted it very politely, though it disappeared in only two bites.

Sister Mary Claire's Chocolate Frosting

Mix 2 tablespoons softened butter, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 1½ cups powdered sugar, 2 or 3 tablespoons warm milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth and spread between two saltine crackers.

Then I read our closing prayer:

“Dear Blessed Mother, help us remain faithful when the road is made difficult. Teach us to trust God, love the truth, and obey Him with courage. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.”

Father LeRoy gave us his blessing and dismissed the club.

As we left, I thought that men could place a barrier before the Grotto, but they could not stop God’s truth from reaching His people.


All for Jesus,

Kathy

When Truth Stood Firm

Dear Diary,

The Reading Club met again today in our clubhouse, and Father LeRoy asked me to read my chapter summary. Mini settled beneath the table, while Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and Father listened.

The chapter explained how every argument against Lourdes had slowly fallen apart. First, the unbelievers said Bernadette was pretending. When her honesty could not be doubted, they said she only imagined the Lady. Then the spring appeared, and they denied that it was really a spring. When its water began flowing abundantly, they called it an accident.

After the cures became too numerous to deny, they claimed the water contained special minerals. But careful men of science found that it was only ordinary water. Each time the truth became clearer, the unbelievers moved to another excuse rather than humbly admit that God was at work.

Father said the comparison with ripe wheat was especially beautiful. Empty stalks stand stiff and proud, but when they are filled with good grain, they bow their heads. Truly wise people become humble before the truth.

We had a lively discussion about how pride can keep a person from believing even when the evidence is right before him. Sister Mary Claire said that faith does not ask us to close our eyes, but to open them more widely and recognize the hand of God.

Just then, the Breakfast Club arrived with a great pan of biscuits and gravy. Our little table was not quite prepared for such a feast! Sister Mary Claire hurried into the house and returned with a ladle, a stack of napkins, and a tiny gravy dish for Mini. Mini looked very pleased with the arrangements, although Father reminded us that she must wait until her dish had cooled.

The biscuits were warm and soft, and the gravy was so good that nobody talked much for several minutes. Robert said that even the Reading Club could occasionally learn something from the Breakfast Club.

When everything was cleared away, I read our closing prayer, asking God to keep our hearts humble and willing to follow the truth wherever it leads. Father LeRoy made the Sign of the Cross over us and gave us his blessing before dismissing the club.

I thought about the spring at Lourdes, flowing quietly from the rock while arguments rose and fell around it. Truth does not need to shout. It only needs to remain true.

Good night, dear diary.

All for Jesus,
Kathy

A Choice Had to Be Made

Dear Diary,

Our Reading Club met again today at the clubhouse, and Father LeRoy asked me to read my chapter summary.

I explained that the governor was becoming more and more troubled by the crowds at Lourdes. The pilgrims remained so peaceful and prayerful that the police had no excuse to interfere with them. He could either admit that he had been wrong and leave the people alone, or he could use force to close the Grotto. The chapter kept saying that he must either retreat or advance boldly.

There was also growing doubt about the first examination of the spring water. A local chemist said it was only ordinary water and contained nothing that could explain the miraculous cures. Many other scientists agreed, so the town council asked the famous Professor Filhol to make a new and final examination.

“The governor must have been worried about what the professor would discover,” Robert said when I finished that part.

Father nodded. “Yes, because if the water proved to be ordinary, the cures would become even harder to explain away.”

Sister Mary Claire said quietly, “They kept searching for something in the water, when perhaps they should have been looking toward Heaven.”

We all thought that was very true.

Then I read about Bernadette making her First Holy Communion on the feast of Corpus Christi. Even while important men were examining the water of the spring, Our Lord was entering Bernadette’s pure and humble heart.

“That was my favorite part,” I told everyone. “Bernadette did not care about being noticed. She only wanted to love God.”

Robert smiled. “She certainly didn’t want to become rich from any of it.”

That began another lively discussion. Bernadette would not trade her plain rosary for one made of precious stones because her poor rosary suited her better. She also refused money from a priest, even when he suggested that she give it to the poor.

“She wanted to serve God without being paid,” Sister said.

“And that made her honesty even clearer,” Father added. “She and her family sometimes lacked bread, yet she would not profit from the favors God had given her.”

The chapter ended with government officials praising the governor and urging him to take stronger action against the Grotto and the miracles. Still, no one seemed to know what could actually be done against peaceful people who only wished to pray.

After our discussion, Father brought out a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and a quart of cold Jersey milk. The milk was rich and creamy, just the way we all like it, and the doughnuts disappeared very quickly.

When everything had been cleared away, Father asked me to read our closing prayer.

“Dear Blessed Mother, help us to be humble and honest like Bernadette. Teach us to love prayer more than praise and to serve God without seeking any reward. Give courage to all who must choose between what is easy and what is right. Keep our hearts pure and peaceful, and lead us always closer to your Divine Son. Amen.”

Father LeRoy then raised his hand and gave us his blessing.

It was a good meeting, and I kept thinking about Bernadette’s poor little rosary. It was not made of precious stones, but I think it must have been very precious to Heaven.

Love, Kathy

The Peaceful Crowds of Lourdes

Dear Diary,

Our Reading Club met again today in the clubhouse. When everyone was settled, Father LeRoy asked me to read my chapter summary.

I explained that newspapers in Paris and other parts of France had begun writing about Lourdes. Some praised the government officials for trying to stop the gatherings, while the Catholic newspapers said the Church should be allowed to examine the Apparitions and decide what was true.

Still, every effort to discourage the pilgrims seemed to bring even more people to the Grotto. Some came because they believed, some hoped to be healed, and others came only out of curiosity. Spring had returned, the roads were easier to travel, and thousands made their way through the hills and valleys to pray and drink from the Spring.

What impressed everyone most was how peaceful the crowds remained. Even when the police removed candles, flowers, money, and other offerings, the people continued praying quietly. One night, someone tore up the pipe from the Spring and covered the water with rocks, dirt, and sand. The people were very upset, but they still did not become violent. The mayor soon ordered the pipe replaced and the Spring cleared.

The stonecutters of Lourdes had planned a large procession for Ascension Day, but they were afraid their anger toward the officials might lead to trouble. Instead, they gave up the procession and even canceled their yearly dance out of respect for Our Lady.

When I finished, Robert said it seemed that the officials could carry away the candles and flowers, but they could not remove the faith from the people’s hearts.

Sister Mary Claire said the patience of the pilgrims was one of the strongest parts of the chapter.

Father LeRoy nodded and said, “True peace is not weakness. It often takes greater courage to remain calm than to strike back.”

Then Sister suddenly asked who had brought lunch.

Everyone looked around the room.

It turned out that each person had thought someone else was bringing it. Thanks to Sister’s quick thinking, we ended up with a pitcher of cool Kool-Aid and a plate of crackers.

Mini sat beneath the table, watching every cracker that passed from hand to hand. Robert glanced around, broke off a small piece, and slipped it to her when he thought no one was looking. I saw him, but I did not say anything. Mini ate it so quickly that she looked innocent again before Father LeRoy even turned his head.

It was not much of a lunch, but we laughed and agreed that Kool-Aid and crackers tasted quite good when shared among friends.

Before we left, I read our prayer:

“Dear Blessed Mother, help us to remain patient and peaceful when we are misunderstood or treated unfairly. Teach us to answer anger with gentleness and to keep our hearts close to Jesus. Please watch over the sick, the troubled, and all those searching for faith. Amen.”

Father LeRoy gave us his blessing, and we gathered our books and went our ways.

Kathy

The Hand Made Whole

 
Dear Diary,

This afternoon our reading club met in the old garage. Father LeRoy came over after dinner, and Sister Mary Claire helped arrange the chairs near the open doors. Mini settled beside me, ready for the meeting.

When everyone was quiet, I presented my chapter summary.

The spring at the Grotto continued to flow clear and plentifully, and many graces were being received there.

One of the most remarkable cures was that of Catharine Latapie-Choust, a poor farm woman whose right hand had been badly injured in a fall. For eighteen months, three of her fingers remained bent and useless. Her doctor finally told her that she would never regain the use of them.

One night, Catharine felt a powerful inward voice telling her, “Go to the Grotto, and you will be cured.”

Although she was near the time for her baby to be born, she set out at three o’clock in the morning with her two children. They traveled by moonlight and reached Lourdes at daybreak.

After praying at the Grotto, Catharine placed her injured hand in the spring water. At once, her fingers straightened and became strong and supple again. For the first time in eighteen months, she was able to join her hands in prayer.

Soon afterward, the pains of childbirth began. Catharine prayed to the Blessed Virgin that she might be allowed to return home first. The pains stopped, and she made the long journey safely. Shortly after arriving home, she gave birth to a healthy son.

When I finished reading, a lively discussion followed.

Robert said Catharine’s courage amazed him almost as much as her cure. Sister Mary Claire pointed out that Catharine did not make a great display when her hand was healed. She simply knelt and thanked God.

Father LeRoy said that was one of the most beautiful parts of the story. True faith, he said, trusts God and remembers to be grateful.

Lunch was cold milk and Nestlé’s Baked Just Right cookies. Robert inadvertently dropped part of his cookie under the table, and Mini found it before anyone else noticed. She looked quite pleased with her unexpected share of lunch.

Before we left, I read the prayer:

“Blessed Mother, teach us to trust God when the road ahead seems dark. Help us to pray with confidence and to give thanks for every grace we receive. Lead the sick and discouraged closer to your Son. Amen.”

Father LeRoy gave us his blessing and dismissed the club.

As the afternoon sun shone through the garage doors, I looked at my own hands and thought of Catharine joining hers together after eighteen long months.

Sometimes the simplest prayer must feel like a miracle.

Good night, dear Diary.