Truth Beneath the Apple Tree

Dear Diary

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met in its regular place beneath the big apple tree behind St. Mary’s Church. The morning air was fresh, and the leaves made little moving shadows on the grass. Mini settled beside me as if she had been appointed official club watchdog.

Father LeRoy smiled and said, “Kathy, would you read your chapter summary for us?”

So I stood with my notes and read.

This chapter was about how some of the unbelievers at Lourdes did not want to face the real miracles. The cures were being talked about everywhere, and people kept coming to the Grotto. But instead of honestly looking into what had happened, certain newspaper writers began making up strange stories that nobody at Lourdes had ever claimed.

They ignored the real cures and the real people who had been healed. Instead, they printed silly and frightening tales so they could laugh at them later and pretend they had disproved everything.

When I finished, Robert shook his head. “If the facts were on their side,” he said, “they would not have needed to invent anything.”

Sister Mary Claire said softly, “Truth does not need tricks. But pride often does.”

Father LeRoy nodded. “And the Church is careful with miracles,” he told us. “God performs them. The Church does not make them true. She only investigates and judges carefully.”

That made the chapter easier for me to understand.

After our discussion, Father LeRoy went into the parish hall and came back rolling out his old White Mountain ice cream maker. Everyone smiled because we knew something good was coming.

Then Father brought out several boxes of doughnuts and told us what had happened.

“I stopped by the bakery last night just before closing,” he said. “The doughnuts were marked half price, so I thought I would buy some for the Reading Club.”

Then he grinned.

“But when Sasha heard they were for our Reading Club, he would not let me pay. He said they were on the house.”

Everyone thought that was so kind of him.

The doughnuts had been made the old-fashioned way with beef tallow, and they were wonderful. The outside was lightly crisp and golden, while the inside stayed soft and fluffy. They tasted rich and warm in the way old-fashioned food always seems to taste better.

Soon we were eating Sasha’s doughnuts with homemade vanilla ice cream under the apple tree. Mini sat very still beside me, watching every bite and hoping someone might drop a crumb from breakfast.

Before we left, Father LeRoy handed me a prayer that he wrote and asked me to read it.

Then we gathered our books, said goodbye until tomorrow, and headed home.

It was a lovely morning.

Love,

Kathy

When The Truth Stood

Dear Diary,

Today our Reading Club met again outdoors under the Apple Tree behind St. Mary’s. The branches made a green roof over us, and the little shadows moved all over the grass whenever the breeze came through. Father LeRoy brought Krispy Kreme doughnuts, coffee for the grown-ups, and hot chocolate for the rest of us. Mini sat close by, looking very hopeful every time someone picked up a doughnut.

Before we began, Father LeRoy asked me to read my overview of the chapter. I felt a little shy, but I had written it carefully, so I stood up with my paper and began.

This chapter was about the miracles at Lourdes after the spring began to heal people. At first, the government men and prosecutors had tried very hard to stop people from believing in the Apparition. They did not want anyone saying that Heaven had come so near to earth. But now the matter was different. The miracles were not hidden inside Bernadette’s heart, where only she could see them. They were happening in public, in sick people who were suddenly made well.

Some had been blind and could see again. Some had been lame and could walk. Some had been very near death and were restored. These were not little rumors whispered in corners. Everyone could look at them, ask questions, and investigate.

That is what struck me most. If the officials really believed the miracles were false, then this was their chance. They could have examined everything. They could have questioned the healed people, their families, the doctors, and the witnesses. They could have tried to prove that it was all a mistake.

But they did not.

The chapter says they did nothing because unbelief can be very cautious. It may speak loudly when the truth seems far away, but when the truth stands right in front of it, it becomes afraid. The officials had been bold against Bernadette, a poor little girl. But when the cures became plain and public, they stepped back.

I thought about that for a long time.

It made me think that sometimes people do not disbelieve because there is not enough light. Sometimes they disbelieve because they do not want to open their eyes. The chapter says that even the sun cannot make a person see if he shuts his eyes on purpose. That made me feel quiet inside.

I do not want to be like that. I do not want to turn away from the truth just because it asks something of me. If God gives light, I want to receive it. If He shows His mercy, I want to be grateful. And if He does something wonderful, I do not want to shrug my shoulders and pretend I did not see.

After I finished reading, no one spoke for a moment. Even Mini was still.

Then Father LeRoy said, “That is a very important lesson, Kathy. Faith is not only about seeing. It is also about being willing to see.”

Sister Mary Claire nodded and said that a proud heart can hide from God even in broad daylight, but a humble heart can find Him in a quiet place, even under an apple tree.

Robert said he thought the chapter was almost like a courtroom scene, except that the people who wanted to accuse Lourdes were afraid to bring the case to trial. Father smiled at that and said, “Sometimes silence tells the truth better than an argument.”

Then we had our doughnuts and hot chocolate. The doughnuts were soft and sweet, and I got a little powdered sugar on my paper, but I did not mind. It looked like a tiny white snowflake had fallen right on Lourdes.

When the meeting was over, Father LeRoy stood beneath the Apple Tree and took off his hat. We all grew quiet. The leaves moved softly above us, and the afternoon seemed very still.

Then Father prayed:

“Dear Lord Jesus,
You are the Truth and the Light of the world.
Keep our hearts humble before Your works.
Do not let us close our eyes when You are near.
Teach us to welcome Your grace with faith,
to recognize Your mercy with gratitude,
and to follow You with courage.
Bless our little Reading Club,
bless all who suffer,
and bring every soul closer to Your Sacred Heart.
Amen.”

The Miracle Witnessed

Dear Diary,

Today after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met again under the apple tree behind St. Mary’s Church.

It was such a pretty place to gather. The leaves made a green roof over our heads, and the little apples were beginning to show among the blossoms. Mini settled herself in the grass beside me, looking very serious, as if she planned to listen to every word.

Sister Mary Claire brought a special treat today. She had baked an apple pie and brought heavy cream to spoon over the top. There was just enough for a thin slice for everyone, but that made it feel even more special. Robert said a small slice of Sister’s apple pie was better than a big slice of almost anything else.

After everyone had found a place to sit, Father LeRoy asked me to introduce Part 9 of Our Lady of Lourdes. I felt a little shy, but I stood up with my paper and read the little essay I had written.

“Today we learned that more and more people were being healed at Lourdes. There were so many cures that the author could not tell about every one of them. He said he only wanted to write about the ones that had been carefully checked.

“These healings were not secret stories. They happened to real people from Lourdes. Their neighbors knew them, and anyone who wanted to ask questions could do so. A man’s lump on his wrist disappeared. A woman who had been deaf for many years could hear again. A man who had been lame was able to walk properly.

“To me, this chapter says that truth does not need to hide. If something is really from God, it can stand in the light.”

When I finished, the apple tree was quiet except for the breeze moving through the leaves.

Robert said, “That is what makes it so strong. The people could be questioned. Their neighbors could say whether it was true.”

Sister Mary Claire nodded and said, “Faith is not afraid of honest questions. But sometimes people are afraid of the answers.”

Father LeRoy looked at us kindly.

“That is a very important lesson,” he said. “God gives light, but He does not force anyone to open their eyes. We must ask for humble hearts, so that when truth is placed before us, we will receive it.”

Mini gave one little bark just then, and everyone laughed.

Robert said, “I think Mini has voted.”

Then Sister served the apple pie with a spoonful of heavy cream on each slice. My piece was thin, but it tasted wonderful. We ate slowly, and I think everyone was trying to make it last.

Before everyone headed home for lunch, Father LeRoy folded his hands and prayed.

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of truth and for every sign of Your love. Help us not to be afraid of the light You send. Give us humble hearts, honest minds, and faith that listens. Bless our Reading Club, our parish, and all who are learning about Our Lady of Lourdes. May Mary lead us always closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

We all answered, “Amen.”

Then we gathered our books and papers. Mini trotted ahead as if she knew the way home better than anyone.

Love,

Kathy

The Child Who Walked

 

Dear Diary,


This morning after Holy Mass, Father LeRoy invited everyone to gather beneath the big apple tree behind St. Mary’s Church for our Reading Club meeting. The weather was beautiful, with a gentle breeze moving through the branches overhead. Sister Mary Claire spread out a blanket, and several folding chairs were placed in the shade. Mini found a comfortable spot beside me and seemed perfectly happy to spend the morning outdoors.

When everyone was settled, Father LeRoy offered a prayer, and then Sister Mary Claire asked if I was ready to read my summary of Part Eight.

I stood up with my paper in hand and told everyone about a little boy named Justin who lived in Lourdes. Justin was only about two years old, but he had been sick nearly his whole life. He was very weak and thin. He had never been able to walk, and his poor parents had watched him grow weaker month after month.

One day Justin became so ill that everyone believed he was dying. His breathing was barely noticeable, and his little body lay completely still. Even his father thought the end had come. A neighbor had already begun preparing a burial cloth for him.

But Justin’s mother, Croisine, refused to give up hope.

She had heard about the Grotto where Our Lady had appeared to Bernadette and about the spring that had begun flowing there. Taking her child into her arms, she hurried to Massabielle, determined to place him under the care of the Blessed Virgin.

When she arrived, she prayed with all her heart. Then she carried Justin to the spring. The water was icy cold. The people gathered there were horrified when they saw her lower her child into it.

Some shouted for her to stop.

Others thought grief had made her lose her senses.

But Croisine kept praying. She believed that God and Our Lady would care for her little boy.

After a long time, she carried Justin home. His body felt cold, and everyone around her believed he was gone. Yet Croisine never stopped trusting.

Then, a short while later, she bent over the cradle and suddenly cried out, “He’s breathing!”

Justin slept peacefully through the night. By morning there was color in his cheeks. Soon afterward, he wanted to leave his cradle and walk.

The next day, when his mother returned home, she found the cradle empty.

Little Justin, who had never walked in his life, was standing and moving around the room.

As I finished reading, the shade beneath the apple tree seemed especially quiet.

Father LeRoy folded his hands and said, “That is a reminder that hope should never be abandoned. God can do what we cannot imagine.”

Sister Mary Claire nodded and said, “What touches me most is the faith of Justin’s mother. She trusted God even when everything seemed lost.”

Robert leaned back in his chair and looked up through the apple branches.

“I suppose,” he said, “that must have been the happiest walk any mother ever saw.”

That made everyone smile.

I said that what stayed with me was how Croisine kept believing when nobody else did. Sometimes faith means holding on when all the evidence says to let go.

Father LeRoy said that many of the miracles at Lourdes begin with simple trust in God’s mercy.

After our discussion ended, Robert surprised everyone by bringing out lunch. Then he carried over a vanilla cake and several cartons of ice cream he had brought along in a cooler.

The cake was soft and delicious, and the ice cream tasted wonderful on a warm day beneath the apple tree. Mini sat politely nearby, watching every plate with great interest and hoping someone might remember her.

Before we went home, Father LeRoy asked if I would close our meeting with a prayer.

Dear Blessed Mother,

Thank You for the story of little Justin and for the faith of his mother.

Help us to trust God when life seems difficult and when answers do not come quickly.

Teach us to pray with confidence, to hope with courage, and to remember that nothing is impossible for God.

Please watch over our families, our parish, and all who are sick or discouraged today.

And may we always walk with Jesus, just as little Justin learned to walk again.

Amen.
Goodnight, Diary.

— Kathy

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Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

June 13, 1956

Dear Diary,

This morning was the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which made Holy Mass feel extra beautiful. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and Mini rode along happily.

After Mass, we gathered in the parish hall for Reading Club. The bagels, cream cheese, butter, and strawberry jam from yesterday were still in the church kitchen refrigerator. Sister Mary Claire toasted the bagels, and they were warm and yummy. Mini watched carefully for crumbs.

Father LeRoy asked me to open the discussion with my summary of Part VII. I said the chapter explained the meaning of Our Lady’s strange request to Bernadette: to go to the rock, drink, wash, and eat of the plant. Bernadette obeyed, even though no one understood. When she dug in the ground, a spring appeared. At first it was muddy, but soon it became clear and plentiful.

The author said the spring was a lesson from Heaven. People often look for happiness in things that do not last, but Our Lady was pointing them to God’s grace. Bernadette’s humble obedience reminded me of Mary’s Immaculate Heart, always ready to say yes to God.

Father LeRoy said Our Lady leads us gently but asks for trust. Sister Mary Claire said humility opens the door to grace. Robert said folks often look for water in dry places when God has already shown them the spring.

Tonight I am thankful for Holy Mass, Our Lady’s loving heart, warm bagels, and the hidden spring at Lourdes.

Dear Blessed Mother, keep me humble and trusting like Bernadette. Amen.

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Kathy Reads on the Feast of the Sacred Heart

June 12, 1956

Dear Diary,

This morning was so pretty that Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and I decided to walk to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass. The fields were green and shining in the morning light, and Mini kept trotting ahead like she was the leader of the whole road.

We had not gone too far when we heard Robert’s pickup coming behind us. Sister waved him down, and he stopped with a smile.

“Well now,” he said, “it looks like I found three pilgrims on the way to church.”

We climbed in gladly, especially because Sister was carrying bagels, cream cheese, butter, and strawberry jam for Reading Club. Mini settled right in as if Robert had come especially for her.

After Holy Mass, Father LeRoy invited everyone to gather in the parish hall. Sister unpacked the bagels and spreads, and since the church had a toaster in the kitchen, she toasted them until the whole room smelled warm and delicious. Father poured coffee, and there was hot cocoa too.

Mini sat under the table and watched carefully for crumbs. She looked so serious about it that I think she believed it was her official Reading Club duty.

When everyone was settled, Father LeRoy asked me to open the discussion with my little summary of Part VI of Our Lady of Lourdes.

I told everyone that this chapter was about the last day of the fifteen visits Bernadette had been asked to make to the Grotto. By then, news about the spring and the cures had spread everywhere. People came to Lourdes from all directions—some in wagons and carriages, some on horseback, and many on foot.

There were so many people gathered around the Grotto that the hills, roads, and fields were covered with them. The author said there may have been twenty thousand. Some came with strong faith. Some came with doubts. Some were only curious. But all of them were drawn to the same holy place.

When Bernadette arrived with her mother, the crowd became very excited and called her “the youthful saint.” But Bernadette did not act proud. She hardly seemed to notice the praise at all. Her heart was fixed on seeing the beautiful Lady again.

Then the great crowd became quiet. When Bernadette knelt, everyone knelt. The author said it became so still that the people could hear the river and the little spring bubbling near the Grotto.

That was my favorite part. I could almost see it in my mind—the huge crowd, the quiet morning, the Grotto, the spring, and Bernadette kneeling there with Heaven so near.

After my summary, Father LeRoy led the discussion. He said Our Lady seemed to be calling every kind of person to Lourdes: believers, doubters, the sick, the curious, the poor, and the important. Sister said that sometimes grace begins when a person simply comes close enough to listen.

I liked that very much.

When Reading Club was over, the bagels were nearly gone, and Mini looked very satisfied, though I cannot prove how many crumbs she found.

Robert offered to drive us home, but the day was still so lovely that we decided to walk. Mini approved right away and went trotting down the road ahead of us like a small red-and-white pilgrim.

Tonight I am thankful for Holy Mass, warm bagels, good friends, and the story of Bernadette. Most of all, I am thankful that Our Lady calls people gently, even when they come with questions.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me to be humble like Bernadette and quiet enough to hear Your voice. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and little Mini. Please keep us close to Your Blessed Mother and safe through the night.

Amen.

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Patient Faith at Lourdes

June 11, 1956

Dear Diary,

Robert came early this morning to pick up Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me. He had been reading ahead in Our Lady of Lourdes and said he could hardly stop. On the way to St. Mary’s, he talked about Bernadette, the spring, the crowds, and what might happen next.

After Holy Mass, Father LeRoy invited everyone downstairs to the parish hall for the Reading Club. He reminded folks that copies of Our Lady of Lourdes were still available at the back of the church.

We met just like the first time, around the tables in the parish hall. Sister Mary Claire counted ten in attendance, counting Mini.

“That is pretty good for a small congregation,” Sister whispered.

Father LeRoy opened with a prayer. Then he looked at me and smiled.

“Kathy, I believe you have today’s summary,” he said.

I stood up with my paper in both hands. My heart beat fast, but Sister Mary Claire gave me a little nod, and Mini sat beside my chair as if she were listening too.

I read:

“Part 5 is about M. Massy, a government official who did not believe the events at Lourdes were from God. Instead of waiting patiently for the Church to investigate, he wanted to stop everything quickly. He had the Grotto watched day and night and arranged for soldiers and police to be ready near Lourdes.

“What struck me most is that the people had been peaceful, but the officials acted as if trouble was already coming. The Bishop waited carefully, but M. Massy rushed ahead. I think this chapter shows the difference between patient faith and fearful control.”

When I finished, Father LeRoy nodded kindly.

“Well done, Kathy,” he said.

Robert started clapping first, and then everyone joined in. Mini looked around as if she thought the applause might be for her.

After that, the discussion began. Robert said the people at the Grotto seemed peaceful. They were praying, filling bottles from the spring, and going home.

“Why send soldiers if nobody is causing trouble?” he asked.

Father LeRoy said large crowds can make officials uneasy, especially when something unexpected is happening.

“Fear often grows when people think they must control everything,” Father said. “The Bishop was willing to wait and learn more. Others wanted answers immediately.”

Sister Mary Claire said the Bishop’s patience impressed her most.

“Patience is often quieter than force,” she said, “but much wiser.”

Then Father LeRoy said, “Truth is never harmed by an honest investigation.”

I liked that very much and wrote it in my notebook.

Afterward Father LeRoy brought out Krispy Kreme doughnuts, coffee, and hot cocoa. Everyone stayed a while longer, talking about Lourdes and what might happen next. Mini made her rounds beneath the tables, collecting smiles and a few crumbs.

On the way home, Robert said he might read just one more chapter tonight.

Sister Mary Claire laughed and said, “Only one?”

I think she knows him pretty well.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for Holy Mass, for our Reading Club, and for friends who love the story of Lourdes. Help me to be patient when I do not understand something right away. Teach me to seek the truth with a peaceful heart and never to rush to judgment. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and everyone who came today. Amen.

Good night, dear Diary.

Love,
Kathy

Resolution: Tomorrow I will try to listen carefully before making up my mind.

Dear Jesus, You know that I love You.

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