Truth, Ice Cream, and Father’s Perfect Cup of Coffee

Dear Diary,

This morning after Mass, we were all getting ready for the Reading Club when Father surprised us.

“No apple tree today,” he announced. “And no church basement either. Everybody into the Cadillac!”

Robert asked where we were going, but Father only said, “I am in need of a truly great cup of coffee.”

That was enough of an explanation for him.

We all piled into Father’s Cadillac and drove to Le Mars and the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Shop. Mini sat close beside me and watched everything through the window. I think she knew we were going someplace wonderful.

Father had arranged the whole thing ahead of time. Behind the shop, the workers had placed a picnic table in the yard and covered it with a bright red-checkered tablecloth. There were napkins, spoons, cold water, and everything we needed for our meeting. It looked so cheerful and perfect that Mini and I could hardly believe it had all been prepared for us.

Father was handed a large cup of hot coffee almost as soon as we arrived. He took one sip, closed his eyes for a moment, and said, “Now this is coffee.”

We all laughed.

After everyone was seated, Father nodded for me to begin. I opened our book and read my shortened chapter summary.

Baron Massy, Jacomet, and several other officials who had opposed the events at Lourdes were transferred elsewhere. Bishop Laurence, meanwhile, wisely waited until the public excitement had calmed before beginning the Church’s official investigation.

On October 17, the commissioners came to Lourdes and questioned Bernadette. She spoke calmly and modestly, telling them about the Apparitions, the spring, Our Lady’s request for a chapel, and the words, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

The commissioners then visited the Grotto and carefully examined the spring and the reported cures. They questioned the sick, their families, neighbors, witnesses, and doctors. Two physicians studied each case to decide whether the cure had a natural explanation or could only be explained by the power of God.

The investigation was very strict. Witnesses were allowed to speak only about what they had personally seen, and all doubtful stories were rejected. The commissioners wanted neither to accept miracles too quickly nor deny them too soon. They wanted only clear facts and the truth.

When I finished, Sister Mary Claire said she admired the patience of the Bishop. He had not rushed merely because people demanded an answer.

Robert said, “They investigated everything almost like detectives.”

Father held his coffee cup between both hands and replied, “That is because the Church has nothing to fear from an honest search for truth. A true miracle does not become less true because it is carefully examined.”

I thought about Bernadette standing before all those important men. She did not try to sound clever or impressive. She simply told them what had happened.

Sister said that humility and truth often walk together because a humble person does not need to add anything to the facts.

Then came the surprise food. The shop had prepared a great banana split for the whole club, with Wells Blue Bunny ice cream, sliced bananas, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and bright red cherries. We each had our own dish too, and Mini received a little bowl of vanilla ice cream all her own.

Father was offered another cup of coffee. He accepted it at once.

The breeze stirred the red-checkered tablecloth, and the happy sounds from the ice cream shop drifted into the yard. It was certainly different from our usual meeting beneath the apple tree, but it felt just right.

Before we left, I led the closing prayer.

“Dear Blessed Mother, help us to love the truth and never be afraid to seek it honestly. Give us the quiet courage of Bernadette, the patience of Bishop Laurence, and hearts that trust God even when we must wait. Please bless all who are sick or suffering, and lead them closer to your Son, Jesus. Amen.”

Father raised his hand and gave us his blessing.

Then he finished the last of his coffee and said, “A good chapter, good ice cream, fine company, and excellent coffee. I believe this meeting has been a complete success.”

I believe so too.

Good night, dear Diary.

Kathy

Take me to YouTube

The Barriers Came

Dear Diary,

After Mass, our Reading Club gathered again beneath the apple tree behind St. Mary’s. Father LeRoy asked me to begin by reading the chapter summary and Mini sat right beside me.

The mayor of Lourdes finally announced that the decree against the Grotto had been revoked. His proclamation was read throughout the town with drums and trumpets, and notices were posted on the walls.

Jacomet and the policemen then went to the Grotto with axes and tools to remove the barriers. A large crowd had already gathered. Some people knelt in prayer, while others quietly waited. Many women prayed their rosaries, and some carried bottles to fill with water from the spring.

No one in the crowd touched the barriers. They waited for the officials who had put them up to remove them.

Jacomet gave a speech, claiming that he had always supported the people and had even pleaded their cause. The crowd listened in cold silence. Then he ordered his men to tear down the barriers and carry the boards away.

Soon the road to the Grotto was filled with people. They knelt before the rocks, sang hymns, prayed the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, and drank from the spring. At last, the faithful were free to pray at Massabielle again.

Robert said it was strange how quickly some officials tried to make themselves appear helpful after the struggle was over.

Sister Mary Claire said, “It is always better to admit that we were wrong than to pretend we were right all along.”

Then Sister surprised us with a beautiful pecan pie and freshly whipped cream. Everyone was delighted. Mini could not have pie, but she received a small dish of plain whipped cream.

When we finished, Father asked me to dismiss the club with prayer.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for giving courage and patience to those who remained faithful during the persecution.

Help us to admit when we are wrong and never pretend that we did good when we did not.

May Our Lady of Lourdes strengthen all who suffer for their faith.

Bless our Reading Club, our families, and all who ask for our prayers.

Amen.

Father gave us his blessing, and we all went home thankful that the barriers had finally come down and the people were free to pray at the Grotto.

Kathy

The Emperor Opens the Grotto

Dear Diary,

After Mass, our Reading Club met beneath the apple tree as usual. The morning was warm and bright, and everyone seemed especially cheerful because today’s chapter brought such welcome news.

I read my chapter summary aloud. The newspapers that had attacked Lourdes had finally grown quiet. Their arguments had not stopped belief in the Grotto. Instead, all their writing had spread the news of the miracles throughout France and even into other countries. People from Italy, Germany, and farther away were asking for drops of water from the spring.

Still, the officials would not give up. M. Rouland, Baron Massy, Jacomet, and the guards continued trying to keep people away. They acted as though their own wishes were stronger than the Bishop, the people, the evidence, and even God.

Then two important men went to speak with Emperor Napoleon III at Biarritz. Petitions were also sent to him, asking that the people be allowed to pray at the Grotto, that the sick be allowed to seek healing, and that everyone be given the freedom to examine the events for themselves.

When the Emperor finally learned the whole truth, he became very displeased. He rang for a servant and sent a short message by telegraph. The order was clear: the decree against the Grotto was to be withdrawn immediately, and the people were to be given complete freedom.

For a moment, everyone under the apple tree was quiet. Then Robert said, “Well, it certainly took them long enough.”

Father smiled and said that human pride may delay the truth, but it cannot defeat it forever.

Sister Mary Claire said the chapter showed why we must never become discouraged when something is right. Things at Lourdes were finally beginning to straighten themselves out.

Then Father announced that we should celebrate. He had brought a large carton of Wells Blue Bunny vanilla ice cream and a can of Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Robert passed the bowls while Sister poured the syrup. Some of us had so much chocolate that the ice cream could hardly be seen.

Mini received a little bowl of plain vanilla ice cream. She ate it carefully at first, but soon her whole nose was white.

The discussion became very lively. We talked about liberty of conscience, the duty to seek the truth, and how God can use even opposition to spread His work. Father said that the enemies of Lourdes had tried to silence the story, but had instead carried it throughout the world.

When the bowls were empty, I closed our meeting with this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for giving courage to those who defended the truth at Lourdes. Help us to remain faithful when others oppose what is right. Keep us humble, patient, and brave, and grant freedom to all who seek You with sincere hearts. Through the prayers of Our Lady of Lourdes, lead us always closer to You.

Amen.

Father raised his hand and blessed us:

May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Then we gathered the bowls and spoons while Mini searched the grass for one last drop of ice cream.

Good night, dear Diary.

Mini’s Eighth Birthday at the Reading Club

 

Dear Diary,
 
This morning after Mass we gathered again under the old apple tree behind St. Mary’s for our Lourdes Reading Club. There was just enough of a cool breeze to remind us that summer won’t last forever. Father LeRoy opened with a prayer, and then he asked me to read today’s chapter.

The chapter told about how the miracles at Lourdes kept happening even while people argued about whether they were real. A little boy named Jean-Marie had suffered terrible pain for months, and no doctor could help him. His mother carried him to the Grotto, where she prayed to Our Blessed Mother. After he was washed in the spring water, he said, “I see God and the Blessed Virgin.” A few moments later he stood up completely healed. He walked home on his own feet, and everyone in his village rejoiced.

Then I read about Jeanne-Marie Massot, whose hands and feet had become almost useless. The moment she dipped her hands into the water at Lourdes, they became strong again. Instead of thinking only about herself, she used her newly healed hands to help a tired young peasant girl lift a heavy bundle of firewood onto her head. Sister Mary Claire smiled and said that was her favorite part of the chapter because real gratitude always becomes charity.

The chapter also told of another woman whose hearing was restored after years of deafness. All these miracles reminded us that God was still working quietly through Our Lady, giving hope to people who had almost given up.

After our discussion, Robert surprised us with a birthday party for Mini, who turned eight today! He brought a pitcher of cold Kool-Aid and what he called a healthy white cake with thick butter frosting. It was delicious. We all sang “Happy Birthday” to Mini, who wagged her little tail-less bottom as if she understood every word. Then Robert cut a small slice of birthday cake just for Mini and set it beside a bowl of cold milk. She happily enjoyed every crumb of her cake, lapped up every drop of milk, and then looked around with frosting on her nose, hoping someone might have another little piece for the birthday girl. We all laughed, and I think Mini knew it was her special day.

Father LeRoy said that today’s chapter teaches us something important. When God blesses us, we should look for someone else to help, just as Jeanne-Marie did. Blessings are meant to be shared.

Closing Prayer

Dear Blessed Mother, thank You for the miracles of Lourdes and for reminding us that God still cares for every suffering soul. Help us to be grateful for every blessing and quick to help others with cheerful hearts. May we always trust in Jesus, even when life is difficult. Amen.

Father LeRoy’s Blessing

“May Almighty God bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us safely to everlasting life. And may Our Lady of Lourdes watch over each of you until we meet again. Amen.”

When Truth Asked to Be Examined

Dear Diary,

After Holy Mass, our Reading Club met beneath the apple tree behind St. Mary’s. Mini settled beside me while Father LeRoy asked me to read the chapter summary.

It told about the great newspaper battle over Lourdes. The Bishop had appointed a Commission to examine the cures and events at the Grotto. Catholic writers welcomed a fair investigation, while many unbelieving writers had already decided that miracles were impossible.

Robert said it was not fair to decide before looking at the evidence. Sister Mary Claire added, “Truth is never afraid of the light.”

Father explained that the Catholic newspapers defended the Church’s right to investigate but wisely waited for the Bishop’s judgment.

Then Sister served sweet cornbread with butter and maple syrup, along with cold milk. Mini received a small plain piece.

Before leaving, I prayed:

“Dear Lord Jesus, give us honest hearts. Help us seek truth with faith, reason, and courage. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.”

Father blessed us:

“May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Dear Diary, today I learned that truth never fears a fair examination.

Love, Kathy

 

The Cake, the Blanket, and the Trailer

 
Dear Diary,

The Reading Club met again today in the open air. We spread a large blanket beneath the apple tree behind the church, and the breeze made the leaves rustle softly above us. Mini settled at the edge of the blanket as though she belonged to the club as much as anyone.

Robert surprised us by bringing a double chocolate cake that he had made all by himself. He piled each slice with thick, heavy whipped cream. Sister Mary Claire said she never knew Robert had such hidden talents, and Father LeRoy said there was nothing hidden about the enormous slices he cut!

After we were settled, Father asked me to read my chapter summary.

I explained that the officials who opposed Lourdes had nearly lost their battle in the Pyrenees, so the newspapers began a new campaign in Paris and even in foreign countries. Some writers declared that miracles belonged only to ignorant times and refused even to examine the evidence. Others changed the facts, calling Bernadette deceitful and the spring merely a little trickle of water. One newspaper even printed a completely invented story claiming that the whole apparition had been rehearsed beforehand.

Robert said it was strange that men who called themselves enlightened would make up stories instead of searching honestly for the truth. Sister Mary Claire said pride can close a person’s mind before the evidence is ever considered. Father reminded us that refusing to look at the truth does not make the truth disappear.

We ate our wonderful cake afterward. Mini sat beside Robert hoping for a crumb, but chocolate is not good for dogs, so he gave her a little dish of plain whipped cream instead. She seemed perfectly satisfied.

I ended our meeting with a prayer that we might always be humble enough to seek the truth, even when it surprises us. Father LeRoy gave us his blessing, and we folded the blanket and went home very full and happy.

Good night, dear Diary.

Pride Would Not Give Way

 
Dear Diary,

Today was such a pretty summer day that our Reading Club met on the grass near the farmhouse. The willow branches moved softly in the breeze, and everything smelled warm and green after morning Mass. Mini stayed close beside us while we sat on the picnic blanket.

Father LeRoy asked me to read my chapter summary. The Bishop’s inquiry and M. Filhol’s report had taken away every good reason for keeping people from the Grotto. The water was safe, and the Church was carefully studying what had happened.

The officials should have admitted their mistake and removed the barriers, but their pride would not let them.

Sister Mary Claire said pride sometimes makes people hold tightly to what is wrong, even when the truth is plain. Father said it takes humility and courage to say, “I was wrong.”

Afterward, we had chocolate sundaes. Mine had plenty of chocolate syrup and a cherry on top. Mini could not have chocolate, so she had a little dish of vanilla ice cream and seemed perfectly happy with it.

I prayed, “Dear Lord, keep pride out of my heart. Help me to love the truth and humbly admit when I am wrong. Amen.”

Father gave us his blessing, and we stayed beneath the willow a little longer, enjoying the lovely day.

Kathy