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

Click to Read

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.

Click to Read

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.

Click to Read

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.

Click to Read

A Good Man’s Doubt

 
Dear Diary,

After Holy Mass this morning, everyone gathered in the parish hall for our Lourdes Reading Club. Father LeRoy had a table waiting with Crispy Creme doughnuts, coffee for the grown-ups, and hot cocoa for the rest of us. Mini sat very politely beside my chair, hoping someone might accidentally drop a crumb. There were six people at the meeting today, and seven if you counted Mini, which I always do.

When everyone had settled in, Father asked if I would read my little review of Part 4 from Our Lady of Lourdes.

I told them that this chapter was mostly about the Prefect, M. Massy, one of the government officials watching the events at Lourdes. He was a good Catholic man who believed the miracles in the Bible, but he had trouble believing God might still be working miracles in his own time. He liked rules, laws, and order, and he thought everything should stay within those boundaries.

What struck me most was that he was not a bad man at all. In fact, he was intelligent, honest, and respected by everyone. The author seemed to be saying that sometimes good people can become so certain of their own understanding that they have difficulty recognizing something new when God places it right before them.

Father LeRoy nodded when I finished and said that humility is important because God often surprises us. Sister Mary Claire said that sometimes faith begins when we admit we do not have all the answers.

I thought that sounded very much like Bishop Laurence, who was carefully listening to all the evidence instead of rushing to a conclusion.

Afterward we enjoyed doughnuts and hot cocoa while everyone talked about what might happen next in the story. Mini received several pats on the head and looked very pleased with herself. She may not understand Lourdes, but she certainly understands doughnuts.

The afternoon was quiet back at Camp Littlemore. I spent some time reading on the porch steps while Mini lay nearby in the shade. The fields looked greener than they did just a few days ago, and the breeze carried the smell of fresh-cut hay from somewhere down the road.

Tonight I am thinking about how easy it must be to miss God’s work when we become too certain of ourselves. I hope I can always keep a little room in my heart for wonder.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Holy Mass, for good friends, and for another chapter of the story of Lourdes. Help me to be humble and willing to listen when You speak. Give me wisdom like the Bishop, faith like Bernadette, and a heart that is open to Your surprises.

Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and everyone in our reading club. Please watch over Mini while she sleeps tonight.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Amen.

Good night, Dear Diary.

Love,

Kathy

The Reading Clubs First Meeting

Dear Diary,

This morning Robert came early for Mass, but the day was so lovely that Sister Mary Claire said we ought to walk. Robert parked by the chicken house and walked the last half mile with us to St. Mary’s.

The fields looked greener than yesterday, and Mini trotted happily in front of us. After Mass, the Reading Club met for the first time near the back pews. Father LeRoy had his copy of Our Lady of Lourdes and said there were plenty of books at the back of the church for anyone who wanted to read along. Sister Mary Claire sat beside me, Robert stood quietly nearby, and Mini tucked herself close under the pew.

Then Father LeRoy asked me to read the summary I had written out.

My hands felt warm and nervous on the paper, but Sister gave me a small nod.

This is what I read:

Today’s chapter is about the Bishop’s discernment.

Abbé Peyramale went to Bishop Laurence and told him all that had been happening at Lourdes. He explained about Bernadette’s visions, the words spoken by the Apparition, the spring that came forth, the sudden cures, and the great stirring of the whole town.

The Bishop listened carefully, but he did not believe too quickly. He knew that God can do marvelous things, even through a poor little girl, but he also knew that such things must be tested. The chapter says he was like St. Thomas, because he wished to see before he believed.

I think this was wise. If Bishop Laurence had believed at once, people might have said he was carried away by excitement. But because he waited and asked for true proofs, his belief would mean more when the time came.

There were many reports, much confusion, and many excited people in Lourdes. Abbé Peyramale himself had not seen everything with his own eyes. The Bishop understood that sometimes we must stand at a little distance from events before we can see them clearly.

So he did not say yes, and he did not say no. He chose to wait, observe, and gather trustworthy reports. He did not remove the order keeping the clergy from the Grotto, but he arranged to be informed each day about what happened there, especially the cures.

I think Bishop Laurence teaches us that the Church is not afraid to wait. If the events were false, time would uncover the error. But if they were from God, they would grow stronger and prove themselves.

When I finished reading, I folded my paper and looked down for a moment. Then Father LeRoy said, “Very good, Kathy. That is exactly what discernment means. The Bishop was not closing his heart. He was guarding the truth.”

Sister Mary Claire said softly that prudence is not the enemy of faith. It is one of the ways faith stays honest.

Robert said he liked the part about standing at a little distance to see things clearly. He said farmers know that too, because sometimes you cannot see the shape of a field when you are standing right in the middle of it.

That made everyone smile, even Father.

On the way home, I thought about Bernadette and Bishop Laurence at the same time. Bernadette had to be simple and obedient. The Bishop had to be careful and patient. Both had their own duty before God.

I hope I can learn both lessons. I want to believe with a simple heart, but I also want to love the truth enough to wait for it.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please help me to be faithful like Bernadette and wise like Bishop Laurence. Teach me not to rush ahead of the truth, and not to be afraid when something must be tested. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and our little Reading Club at St. Mary’s. May every chapter bring us closer to You and to Our Blessed Mother.

Resolution

Tomorrow I will try to listen carefully before I speak, and remember that truth does not need to hurry.

Click to Read this Chapter