A Grandview Park Reading Club Day

Dear Diary,

We woke up in Sioux City this morning, which still feels strange to write.

Father LeRoy’s car needed something fixed, and since there was no reason to hurry home, Bishop Mueller kindly let us stay at his big house near Grandview Park. Father said it was a blessing disguised as a broken automobile, and I think he may be right.

After Holy Mass, we carried our books to Grandview Park. It was the most beautiful place our Reading Club has ever met. The bandshell stood white and grand beyond the flowers, and there were blossoms everywhere, bright as Sunday dresses. Mini settled in the grass like she owned the park, and Shaggycoat found the pond right away. He splashed so happily that Father said even beavers must sometimes give thanks in their own way.

We sat at our table with our books open, and Father asked me to read my chapter summary.

Today’s chapter was about the Prefect, Baron Massy, who came to Lourdes during the Council of Revision. Instead of seeing the faith of the people as something holy and consoling, he treated it like a public nuisance. He gave a speech to the mayors, saying that the Grotto had become an illegal oratory because people had left candles, religious objects, and offerings there.

The Prefect claimed to respect religion, but then ordered the police to remove everything from the Grotto. He also commanded that anyone claiming to see visions should be arrested and taken away for medical treatment. He wanted Bernadette stopped, the Grotto stripped bare, and the people frightened into silence.

The chapter says this happened on May 4, right at the beginning of Mary’s month. That made me sad. It seemed as if the Prefect was trying to begin the Month of Mary by taking away candles from Our Lady’s Grotto.

When I finished, nobody spoke for a moment. The flowers were moving in the breeze, and we could hear Shaggycoat splashing in the pond.

Then Robert said, “It sounds like he was afraid of candles.”

Father smiled a little and said, “Sometimes, Robert, men in power are not afraid of candles. They are afraid of what the candles mean.”

Sister Mary Claire said the poor people at Lourdes were not trying to rebel. They were only praying, leaving little signs of love, and drawing water from a place where God had given them hope.

Father said that faith gives poor people courage, especially when the world gives them very little else. He said that taking away someone’s place of prayer can wound the heart more deeply than people realize.

I looked toward the white bandshell and all the flowers, and I thought about the Grotto at Lourdes. It was not grand like Grandview Park, but Our Lady chose it. That made it beautiful in a way no one could take away.

Before we left, I read our prayer.

Dear Blessed Mother,
help us never to be ashamed of prayer.
Keep our hearts gentle, brave, and faithful,
even when others do not understand.
Teach us to love the little candles,
the quiet places,
and every sign that points us to God.
Amen.

Father made the Sign of the Cross and blessed us.

Then Bishop Mueller came by and said there was nothing pressing back home, and since Father’s car might take another day, we were welcome to stay a little longer. Father looked pleased, Robert looked very pleased, and Shaggycoat looked as if he had already decided the pond was his new parish.

So perhaps we will have another Reading Club meeting in Sioux City tomorrow.

I hope so.

Love,
Kathy

A Day at the Normandy

Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, Father LeRoy surprised us with wonderful news.

“I have to drive into Sioux City on an errand,” he said with a smile, “and I thought the Reading Club might enjoy coming along. My treat is lunch at the Normandy Restaurant.”

Everyone’s eyes grew wide. Even Mini tilted her head as if she understood every word.

Before long we were riding through the bright green countryside in Father’s old car. The rain had washed the fields clean, and everything looked fresh and sparkling.

When we reached the Normandy Restaurant, I could hardly believe how pretty it was. It looked almost like a little French castle, with its round stone tower, climbing ivy, and flowers blooming all around the entrance.

Father looked up at the blue sky and smiled.

“What a beautiful day,” he said. “Would you mind setting a table for us outside beneath the shade? I think our Reading Club belongs outdoors today.”

The hostess smiled warmly. “It would be our pleasure, Father.”

Soon we were seated at a round table under a great shade tree, with the Normandy gardens all around us. It felt like a very grand picnic.

Before lunch arrived, Father said, “Kathy, would you read today’s chapter summary?”

So I stood beside the table and read.


“Today’s chapter tells how two physicians were sent to examine Bernadette after Our Lady revealed her name. They expected to find something wrong with her, but instead they found a sensible, calm, healthy little girl.

Even though they could find no illness, they still suggested she might be imagining the visions, simply because they did not believe such things could happen.

Their report was then used by the Prefect as an excuse to plan Bernadette’s arrest and confinement. He also wanted the Grotto stripped of its offerings, and soldiers kept ready in case the people resisted.

It shows how dangerous it is when people refuse the truth because it does not fit what they already believe.”

Father LeRoy folded his hands quietly.

“The doctors admitted what they saw,” he said, “but they could not accept what it meant. Bernadette had nothing to defend except the truth.”

Robert nodded. “She was the only one who wasn’t trying to prove something.”

That made everyone smile, because it was true.

Then our lunch came—ham and cheese sandwiches, crisp potato chips, and cold milk. We ate slowly beneath the shade tree, with the flowers nearby and the warm city sounds drifting past us.

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

“Dear Jesus, give us humble hearts that love truth more than pride. Help us never to reject Your works simply because they are beyond our understanding. Teach us to trust You with simple faith, as Bernadette did. Amen.”

Father made the Sign of the Cross over us.

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The ride home felt long and peaceful. The afternoon sun shone over the wet fields, and everyone was quiet for a while. I think we were all still thinking about Bernadette.

Sometimes the journey home is part of the lesson too.

After the Rain the Truth Remained

Dear Diary,

This morning the grass behind St. Mary’s was wet and shining after more than an inch of rain fell in the night. But the sky was clearing, the air was cool, and everything smelled fresh and clean.

After Mass, we met under the apple tree for Reading Club. Since the ground was too wet, Robert helped Father LeRoy set up the little table for lunch. Father had brought egg salad sandwiches and cold milk, and Sister Mary Claire arranged everything neatly while Mini watched.

Then Father asked me to read my chapter summary.

“Today’s chapter tells how Baron Massy still refused to believe the events at Lourdes could be supernatural. Since the police and magistrates could not prove Bernadette was lying, he began to think of using the law about insanity against her.

The chapter explains how dangerous such a law could be. A person might be taken away and shut up if one or two doctors declared him insane, without a public hearing, without defense, and without appeal. The author says doctors are usually honorable, but even learned men can be mistaken when they have already decided that heavenly things are impossible.

This made me sad, because Bernadette was only a simple, truthful girl. She had harmed no one, yet powerful people were looking for ways to silence her.”

When I finished, Father LeRoy said that the world often fears holiness because holiness cannot be controlled. Sister Mary Claire said Bernadette’s strength was her simple truth. Robert said it was strange that grown men were so afraid of one little girl.

Then we gathered around the little table for Father’s sandwiches and cold milk. The lunch tasted extra good in the cool air, with raindrops still falling from the apple leaves.

Before we left, Father asked me to read the club prayer:

“Dear Jesus, help us love the truth, even when it is difficult. Help us be gentle and brave like Bernadette, and keep our hearts close to Our Lady. Amen.”

Then Father LeRoy made the Sign of the Cross over us and gave his blessing.

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

As the clouds moved away, I thought of Bernadette standing quietly before people who wanted to frighten her. I hope I can always tell the truth as simply as she did.

Love,

Kathy 

Simple Truth Needs No Defense

Dear Diary,

This morning the rain had finally passed. The apple leaves still sparkled with tiny drops, the grass smelled fresh, and the whole churchyard seemed washed clean. After Holy Mass, our Reading Club gathered beneath the old apple tree. Robert had already set up a little folding table with neat stacks of ham and cheese sandwiches and a big jar of ice-cold Jersey milk. Sister Mary Claire arranged everything so nicely, and Mini settled beside the table, pretending not to notice the sandwiches.

Father LeRoy smiled and said, “Kathy, would you read today’s chapter summary?”

I stood up and read.

“Today’s chapter shows how hard everyone tried to explain away what was happening at Lourdes without believing God was involved. Police officers, government officials, doctors, and even a man who claimed he could hypnotize people all examined Bernadette. Nothing worked. She stayed calm, honest, and exactly the same.

A wealthy family even offered to adopt her and give her parents a fortune, but they refused because they loved their daughter more than money. The authorities could find no crime she had committed, yet some still wanted to lock her away simply because they could not explain her.

The more people questioned Bernadette, the brighter her simple truth seemed to shine.”

When I finished, Father LeRoy folded his hands for a moment before speaking.

“Kathy,” he said, “truth has a quiet strength. Bernadette never argued, never tried to impress anyone, and never changed her story. She simply told the truth and left the rest to God.”

Robert nodded and added, “If she had been making it up, somebody would have found the mistake. Instead, every test seemed to make her story stronger.”

That made me think. Sometimes we imagine we must always have clever answers for everything. Bernadette teaches the opposite. A pure heart and an honest life can be stronger than the smartest arguments. She never defended herself with big speeches. She simply trusted God to defend the truth in His own time.

After our discussion we gathered around the little table and enjoyed the ham and cheese sandwiches with wonderfully cold Jersey milk. Everything tasted especially good in the cool air after the rain. Mini patiently watched every bite, hoping someone might accidentally drop a tiny piece which, of course, Robert did. I don’t think it was an accident.

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

“Dear Jesus, give us hearts as simple and faithful as Bernadette’s. Help us to love truth more than praise, to choose honesty over comfort, and to trust You even when others do not understand us. May we never be afraid to stand quietly with You. Amen.”

Father LeRoy traced the Sign of the Cross over all of us.

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace.”

As we walked home beneath the bright blue sky, the clean air smelled of wet earth and apple blossoms. Everything seemed fresh after the rain. I think God sometimes lets the storms pass so we can better appreciate the sunshine He was preparing all along.

The Lesson, the Blessing, and the Rain

Dear Diary,

This morning after Mass, our reading club met under the apple tree behind St. Mary’s, though the sky looked ready to rain. The clouds were low and gray, and Father LeRoy kept glancing upward.

Robert came hurrying across the grass a little late, carrying a croissant box from the Breakfast Club and a jar of cold Golden Rule Jersey milk.

“Well,” Father said, “late arrivals are forgiven more quickly when they bring breakfast. But we had better not waste time.”

Sister Mary Claire spread the napkins while Robert passed around the croissants and Father poured the milk. We ate quickly because the air already felt heavy and damp.

Then Father nodded to me.

“Kathy, will you read your chapter summary?”

So I stood by the apple tree and began.

“Today’s chapter is about something that seemed small at first but became very important. While the miracles at Lourdes were taking place, the Prefect, Baron Massy, decided he wanted new stables for his horses. Instead of choosing a proper place, he built them on consecrated ground near the Cathedral, where priests and noble families had been buried.

Monseigneur Laurence was deeply troubled. He said the dead should be left in peace, and the people praying in the Cathedral should not have to hear horses nearby. But the Prefect would not admit he was wrong.

At last the Bishop protested firmly. After many months, the stables were torn down, and grass grew again over the cemetery. But the friendship between the Bishop and the Prefect was broken. The chapter teaches that even small wrongs can lead to great trouble when pride refuses correction.”

When I finished, the wind moved through the apple leaves.

Father LeRoy said, “Pride does not like to be corrected, even when it is standing on holy ground.”

Sister Mary Claire said the Bishop showed courage and patience. Robert said it was strange how a stable could become part of the Lourdes story.

Then the first drops tapped the leaves. Father said we had better close at once, so I read the prayer:

“Dear Jesus, keep pride far from our hearts. Help us to respect what is holy, to listen when we are corrected, and to choose peace instead of stubbornness. Bless our reading club, our parish, and all who are trying to follow You. Amen.”

Father LeRoy lifted his hand and blessed us.

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. May Almighty God bless you and keep you, and bring you safely home. Amen.”

No sooner had he finished than the clouds let loose. We gathered our books and napkins in a hurry.

Robert shouted, “To the pickup!”

Sister Mary Claire held her veil with one hand and my book with the other. Father tucked the empty croissant box under his arm, and Mini ran ahead as if she had been waiting for the signal.

We sprinted across the wet grass to Robert’s pickup, laughing and slipping a little. The rain drummed on the roof, and the apple tree disappeared behind a silver curtain of water.

It was a short meeting, but I will remember it. Sometimes God sends the lesson, the blessing, and the rain all in the same morning.

Love,
Kathy

Gratitude Has its Own Music

Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met under the apple tree behind St. Mary’s. Father LeRoy opened with the Sign of the Cross, then asked me to read my summary.

“Today’s chapter is about Henry Busquet, a fifteen-year-old boy who was terribly sick. He had a dreadful sore on his neck and chest, and nothing the doctor tried could heal him. Henry wanted to go to Lourdes, but he was too weak, so a neighbor brought him water from the spring.

That night Henry and his family knelt and prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then Henry washed his sores with the Lourdes water and went to sleep full of hope. In the morning, his pain was gone, the sores were closed, and the swellings had disappeared. The doctors said the cure could not be explained by nature.

Henry stayed well. Years later he was strong, working as a plasterer and singing while he worked. He never forgot that he owed his life to Our Lady.”

When I finished, everyone was quiet. Father said Henry’s simple faith was beautiful. Sister Mary Claire said Our Lady’s kindness reached even the sick who could not come to the Grotto.

Then Sister brought out blueberry muffins made from berries from their garden. Robert had picked up a half gallon of Jersey milk and packed it in ice so it would be extra cold. What a treat!

Before we left, Father asked me to read the closing prayer.

“O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the sick and sorrowful, help us trust in Jesus with simple hearts. When we are weak, bring us near to Him. When God gives us any grace, help us never forget to thank Him. Amen.”

Father blessed us and dismissed the club.

I kept thinking of Henry singing from the scaffolding. Maybe gratitude has its own music.

Love,
Kathy

The Blessing of a Simple Heart

 
Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, we met under the apple tree again for St. Mary’s Reading Club. Mini sat by my shoes, Shaggycoat held his book of trees, and Omelette scratched in the grass as if lunch crumbs were already there.

Father LeRoy began by asking us to close our eyes and imagine we were at Lourdes. He told us to picture the road, the crowd, the Grotto, and Bernadette kneeling before Our Lady. Then he said, “Let Our Lady speak to your hearts.”

I am not sure I heard anything exactly, but I did feel almost as if I were in France, standing near the rocks of Massabielle. When Father told us to open our eyes, we were back under the apple tree, with Iowa all around us.

Then I read my chapter summary.

“Today’s chapter tells about the peace that came over Lourdes during the Apparitions. The book says there were no new crimes for the courts to punish, as if Our Lady had passed over the country and left her blessing.

It also tells about Bernadette. Many people came to question her, but nobody could make her seem false. She answered simply and sometimes cleverly, because she was telling the truth.

When someone said Our Lady could not know Bernadette’s village dialect, Bernadette answered that if God and Our Lady did not know it, how could anyone else know it? When someone mocked her for eating grass, she smiled and asked if they thought of that when they ate salad.

Best of all, Bernadette stayed a child. She did not become proud. She still went to school, played games, and lived simply. Our Lady gave her a great mission, but protected her innocence.”

When I finished, Father LeRoy said, “Grace made Bernadette more truly herself.”

Robert liked the part about peace coming over the whole countryside. Sister Mary Claire said Our Lady’s peace begins in the heart and can spread farther than we know.

Then Father asked what we noticed most.

I said, “She didn’t try to be important.”

Sister Mary Claire smiled and said, “Yes. She told the truth, and then went back to being a child.”

After that came the funny part. Everyone thought someone else had brought lunch. Robert thought Sister Mary Claire had it. Sister Mary Claire thought Father had arranged it. Father thought Robert had brought something in the truck.

There was no lunch.

Father laughed first, and then we all did too.

“Well,” he said, “today we have had spiritual food.”

Robert said, “Father, that’s true, but spiritual food doesn’t go very far with a corgi.”

Mini agreed completely.

Father closed with a prayer, asking Our Lady to help us keep simple hearts like Bernadette. Then he blessed us, and we gathered our books.

On the walk home, my stomach was a little empty, but my heart felt full.

I kept thinking about Bernadette. She had been trusted with heavenly things, yet she stayed simple, truthful, obedient, and childlike.

Maybe that is what Our Lady wants from us too.

Love,

Kathy

The Road That Led to Lourdes

Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club gathered in the apple orchard.

Father LeRoy looked around at all of us and said, “Today I want you to use your imagination. Good books can take us places. When we read about Lourdes, we should try to see it, hear it, and almost feel ourselves there.”

That sounded wonderful to me.

Mini lay beside my feet, her ears perked up as if she understood every word. Shaggycoat sat nearby with his book, Little Logs, resting on his lap.

Father LeRoy opened with a prayer.

“Dear Jesus, bless our Reading Club today. Help us read with quiet hearts and lively minds. Let these pages carry us closer to Our Lady and closer to You. Amen.”

“Amen,” we all answered.

Then Father smiled at me.

“Kathy, would you read your summary?”

I stood up with my paper. At first I felt a little nervous, but then I remembered what Father had said. I looked down at the words and tried to see the story in my mind.

All at once, it was almost like magic.

I could picture the road to the Rocks of Massabielle, crowded with people, but not noisy or wild. They were praying, singing hymns, and honoring Our Lady. Even the policemen could only report that the people were peaceful and recollected.

Then I read my summary.

“The road to the Grotto was full of pilgrims, but they came with prayer, not disorder. The people sang hymns and litanies, and there was a spirit of quiet devotion.

“The workmen of Lourdes wanted everyone to reach the Grotto more easily, so after working hard all day, they spent their evenings widening the road. They broke rocks, pushed wheelbarrows, and labored on the steep hillside.

“When someone asked who would pay them, they answered, ‘The Blessed Virgin.’

“Before going home, they all went down into the Grotto and prayed together.

“Little by little, the Grotto became more beautiful. People brought flowers, candles, statues, crosses, and offerings of gratitude. Money was left there for the chapel Our Lady had asked for, and no one stole it. The place had become so holy in the hearts of the people that even thieves seemed to keep away.”

As I read, I could almost hear the pilgrims singing. I could see the men working on the rocky path after their long day’s labor. I could see candles glowing, flowers tucked among the stones, and the statue of Our Lady watching over everything.

For a little while, I forgot we were sitting in the apple orchard at all.

When I reached the end of my summary, the picture slowly faded, and once again I saw Father LeRoy smiling at me, Sister Mary Claire listening carefully, Robert nodding his head, Mini lying at my feet, and Shaggycoat holding his book.

Father LeRoy smiled.

“That,” he said, “is exactly what good books do. They help us travel without leaving our chairs.”

Sister Mary Claire said she could almost hear the pilgrims praying.

Robert said he liked the part about the workmen best.

“They worked all day,” he said, “and then spent their rest building a road for Our Lady. That is real devotion.”

Father LeRoy nodded.

“Yes,” he said. “They were not just building a road through stone. They were helping build a road for souls.”

That made everyone quiet for a moment.

Then Robert reached into the basket he had brought along and set a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the table. Beside them, he placed a quart jar of cold Jersey milk from the dairy down the road.

“Father,” Robert said with a smile, handing him the jar, “be sure to shake it before you pour. It is about half cream on top.”

Father LeRoy gave the jar a good shake and laughed.

“Now that is real Jersey milk,” he said. “You can almost stand a spoon up in it.”

Everyone smiled as Father poured the rich, creamy milk into our glasses. The chocolate chip cookies and the cold Jersey milk made a perfect treat.

Mini watched every bite very carefully, hoping someone might accidentally drop a cookie crumb and Robert did just that. Shaggycoat looked up from Little Logs long enough to enjoy the happy chatter before settling back into his book.

Before we left, Father asked me to read the closing prayer.

“Dear Jesus, thank You for Holy Mass, for our Reading Club, and for books that help us travel in our hearts. Help us to be like the workmen of Lourdes, willing to give our time and strength for love of You and Our Lady. Teach us to build roads that lead others closer to Heaven. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, Shaggycoat, and all our friends. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.”

Everyone answered, “Amen.”

As we walked home, I kept thinking about that road to the Grotto.

The workmen thought they were only moving stones.

But maybe every stone they moved helped someone find the way to God.

Love,

Kathy

The Reading Club at Indian Creek

Dear Diary,

Today after Holy Mass, Father LeRoy said we were going to have Reading Club at Indian Creek.

He said he’d been hearing me talk so much about my creek and my cave that he thought maybe it was time he saw the place for himself. Then he smiled and said a little walk would be good exercise for his old bones.

Robert couldn’t come with us this time. He was cultivating and had to go straight home after Mass. I felt sorry he missed it, because it was one of the prettiest meetings we’ve had yet.

Sister Mary Claire walked beside me, and Mini trotted ahead like she was the official guide. Omelette came along too, pecking here and there as if she had important business of her own. And when we got near the creek, there was Shaggycoat, busy in the water, working on his lodge like a proper little builder.

Father stood for a minute looking at the creek, the trees, and the cave above the bank.

“Well, Kathy,” he said, “I believe you were right. This is a fine place for a reading club.”

We sat where we could hear the water moving over the stones. Sister spread out the books, and Father asked me to read the little summary I had prepared from today’s chapter.

So I took a breath and read:

“Today’s chapter tells us that, after Bernadette’s visions at Lourdes, some other people said they had seen visions too. A few good young women believed they had seen something holy. Some children also had visions, but those seemed different and even frightening.

The book teaches us that when God is doing something beautiful and true, the devil sometimes tries to confuse people with imitations. But the false things do not last.

The real message of Lourdes remained simple and clear. Our Lady had come to Bernadette. The spring had appeared. Prayer and penance were being asked for. The other strange stories faded away by themselves.

That is a comfort to me, because truth does not need to shout. It only needs to remain faithful.”

When I finished, Father nodded slowly.

“That is very well said,” he told me. “The Church is always careful. She does not run after every wonder. She waits, prays, watches, and tests.”

Sister Mary Claire said that was a mercy, because sometimes people can be excited by things that are not from God at all. She said true grace usually leaves the soul more humble, more peaceful, and more obedient.

I liked that.

Mini was not thinking about visions or obedience. She was thinking about the snack basket.

Sister had brought Old Home Twinkies and cold Jersey milk in a jar wrapped with a towel. Father poured the milk carefully, and I could see the creaminess of it right away.

We each had a Twinkie, and Father said it had been many years since he had eaten one by a creek.

Mini sat very still and hopeful.

I am almost certain her thought was, “Can’t beat that.”

Omelette found a crumb and took it very seriously. Shaggycoat slapped his tail once in the creek, as if he approved of the meeting, and then went right back to work on his lodge.

Before we left, Father asked us to be quiet for a moment. The creek kept praying in its own way, and the leaves moved softly over us.

Then Father said, “Lord, keep us close to what is true. Help us not be troubled by confusion, but to follow You with simple hearts.”

And we all said, “Amen.”

I think Indian Creek is a very good place for Reading Club.

Maybe even one of the best.

Love,
Kathy

The Flame That Did Not Burn

Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met under the apple tree.

Father LeRoy asked me to read my summary. I am getting more comfortable doing that now, and I do not mind standing up in front of everyone anymore.

The chapter told how Lourdes was changing people. Many returned to the Sacraments, old sins were confessed, stolen things were returned, and people were growing closer to God.

Then came the remarkable story of Bernadette and the candle.

While she was in ecstasy before Our Lady, the flame burned between her fingers for many minutes. Everyone could see it, but her hand was not harmed. When someone later touched the flame to her hand after the vision ended, she quickly pulled away and said it was burning her.

Father LeRoy said this was one of the most striking events at Lourdes because so many people witnessed it.

Robert said that ten thousand people gathering without being invited showed how interested everyone had become.

Sister Mary Claire said the greatest miracle was not the candle, but the conversions taking place in people's hearts.

I thought she was probably right.

After our discussion, Father served lunch. He brought a pitcher of Kool-Aid and a bag of Chips Ahoy cookies. Mini sat beside us hoping a cookie might accidentally fall to the grass and one did from Robert.

Before we left, Father asked me to read the closing prayer.

"Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing us together today. Help us to grow in faith, hope, and love. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and all our friends. May Our Lady of Lourdes always lead us closer to You. Amen."

Everyone answered, "Amen."

Father gave us his blessing and dismissed the club until next time.

Then we gathered our books and headed home.

Love,

Kathy

Waiting Wisely

 
Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met under the apple tree.

Father LeRoy asked me to read my summary, and I did not feel as nervous as before. I think I am getting more comfortable reading in front of everyone.

My summary was about Bishop Laurence. He was not ready to decide too quickly about Lourdes because he had not seen the miracles himself. He wanted to wait and be careful.

He also did not want to forbid Bernadette from going to the Grotto if Heaven was truly calling her there. I thought that was very wise.

Afterward, Father LeRoy brought tapioca pudding with whipped cream for lunch. We had more cold Jersey milk from Golden Rule Dairy too. It comes right from the bulk tank at the dairy barn, and it is very rich.

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

Dear Jesus, help us to be patient, truthful, and wise. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and our Reading Club. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.

It was a peaceful morning under the apple tree.

Love,
Kathy

Wisdom Under the Apple Tree

Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met in the apple orchard for another discussion of Our Lady of Lourdes. The sun was shining through the branches, and little patches of light danced across the grass while we gathered beneath the trees. Mini settled down beside me, ready for the meeting as usual.

Father LeRoy opened with a prayer and then smiled in my direction.

"Kathy," he said, "would you read your summary for us?"

I stood up with my paper and read what I had prepared.

"Today we learned about Bishop Laurence and how carefully he handled the events at Lourdes. Government officials wanted him to condemn the Apparitions without a proper investigation, while others wanted him to declare a miracle immediately. But the Bishop chose neither extreme. He patiently gathered facts, resisted pressure from powerful officials, and refused to make a judgment until he knew the truth. He showed prudence, courage, and fairness."

When I finished, Father LeRoy thanked me, and a lively discussion followed.

Robert said he admired how the Bishop would not allow himself to be pushed around by either side.

Sister Mary Claire agreed and said that wisdom often means waiting patiently for the truth rather than rushing to conclusions.

Father LeRoy nodded. "The Bishop understood that both faith and reason come from God," he said. "He wanted to know the facts before making a judgment."

Everyone seemed to have something to add, and before long the conversation was moving back and forth all around our little circle.

Then Robert reached for a tin he had brought along and opened the lid. Inside were beautiful chocolate chip cookies.

Sister Mary Claire looked at them and smiled.

"Robert, those may be the best-looking chocolate chip cookies I have ever seen. How did you make them?"

Robert laughed.

"I cannot claim any special secret. I just followed the directions on the Nestlé package."

Everyone chuckled.

"Although," he added, "I have learned one thing. Do not overbake them. Nine minutes makes a perfect cookie."

That started another discussion, this time about baking instead of Lourdes.

Then Robert set a half gallon of milk on the picnic table.

"Father," he said, "be sure to shake that before you pour it. It is about half cream on the top."

Father LeRoy picked up the jar and laughed.

"Now that sounds like real milk."

The milk came from the Jersey cows at the dairy down the road, and after Father gave the jar a good shake, he poured glasses for everyone. The cold milk and warm cookies were a wonderful combination.

Mini sat nearby watching very closely, hoping a cookie crumb might find its way into the grass. 

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

So I stood and prayed:

"Dear Jesus, thank You for this beautiful morning, for Holy Mass, for good friends, and for the lessons we learn together. Help us to be patient and wise like Bishop Laurence. Give us the courage to seek the truth and the humility to wait for it when we must. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, everyone in our Reading Club, and our faithful little dog Mini. May Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us and keep us close to Your Sacred Heart. Amen."

Everyone answered, "Amen."

Soon afterward we gathered our books and started for home.

As I walked away through the orchard, I thought about how Bishop Laurence stayed calm while everyone around him seemed to be pulling in different directions. It must have taken great wisdom to wait patiently for the truth.

I also thought that Robert might be right about the cookies.

Nine minutes really does seem to make a perfect one.

Love,

Kathy

The Sign of The Cross

This morning at Mass, Father LeRoy talked about making the Sign of the Cross.

I have made the Sign of the Cross ever since I was little, so I guess I never thought much about it. But Father reminded us that it is actually something very important.

When we make the Sign of the Cross, we are telling the world that we belong to Jesus Christ. We are not trying to show off. We are simply not hiding our faith.

Later on, I was reading about the Mystery of the Cross, and it fit right in with Father's homily.

The chapter said that when Jesus died on the Cross, many people thought He had been defeated. To them, it looked like everything was over. But God turned the Cross into a sign of victory.

Today the Cross is known all over the world. Saints loved it. Martyrs held onto it, even when it cost them their lives. And regular people, like us, still find comfort and hope in it every day.

Father LeRoy said it is important for people to know that we are believers. That does not mean we have to make a big show of it. Sometimes it can be something as simple as making the Sign of the Cross before lunch at a restaurant. Or wearing a crucifix around our neck. Or speaking kindly when everyone else is grumbling and complaining.

Little things can tell people a lot about what is in our hearts.

I think that is what Father was trying to teach us. The Cross should not just hang on a wall. It should be part of the way we live.

Sometimes it is easy to be a Catholic when you are sitting in church with everyone else. But it can be a little harder when you are out in public.

Still, Jesus was not ashamed to carry His Cross for me. So I do not want to be ashamed to show that I belong to Him.

Mini is never embarrassed to stay close to the people she loves. Maybe I should be more like that too.

So today I want to remember this:

Make the Sign of the Cross slowly.

Mean it.

Jesus carried the Cross for me.

So I will make the Sign of the Cross for Him.

Books, Blueberries, and Good Friends

Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met beneath the old apple tree behind St. Mary’s Church. The branches were full of green leaves, and little patches of sunshine danced across the grass. Mini came along too and settled herself near my chair, keeping watch over everyone as if she were assistant librarian for the club.

Father LeRoy opened the meeting with a smile.

“Well, Kathy,” he said, “would you read your introduction to today’s chapter for us?”

I stood up with my notes, feeling a little nervous, and read my summary of the chapter from Our Lady of Lourdes. It told about how the events at Lourdes were beginning to attract the attention of important officials far away from the grotto. Some people believed, while others doubted, but the story showed how the truth could not be ignored forever.

When I finished, Father LeRoy nodded thoughtfully.

“That was very well done,” he said. “You helped us understand the chapter clearly.”

Then we talked about it together.

Robert said he was surprised at how much effort some government officials made to explain away the happenings at Lourdes.

“It seems,” he said, “that the more they investigated, the more people became interested.”

Sister Mary Claire agreed.

“Sometimes,” she said, “when people are certain something cannot be true, they stop looking at the evidence with an open mind.”

Father LeRoy added that faith and reason should work together.

“God is not afraid of honest questions,” he said. “The Church has always encouraged careful investigation before declaring a miracle.”

I thought that was one reason the Lourdes story is so interesting. The more the authorities examined it, the more witnesses and facts seemed to appear.

Mini listened quietly through the discussion. At least I think she was listening. She looked very serious, although she may have been hoping someone would drop a snack.

After the chapter discussion, Sister Mary Claire brought out a simple little lunch. She served bowls of creamy yogurt topped with fresh blueberries. Everyone enjoyed them while we sat under the tree talking about books, faith, and the beautiful summer morning.

Before we parted, Father LeRoy stood and folded his hands.

“Kathy,” he said, “would you read our closing prayer?”

So I opened my prayer book and read slowly:

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for this happy morning beneath the apple tree. Thank You for good books, faithful friends, and the gift of learning more about Our Lady of Lourdes. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and little Mini. Help us always love the truth, seek You with sincere hearts, and grow closer to You each day. Through the prayers of Our Blessed Mother, keep us faithful and joyful. Amen.”

Everyone answered, “Amen.”

Then we gathered our books, gave Mini a few pats, and headed home, already looking forward to our next meeting beneath the apple tree.

Love,

Kathy

Immaculate Conception

Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, the Readers Club met again under the apple tree behind the Church.  We settled ourselves in the grass and Mini curled up beside me, looking very serious, as if she knew this was an important chapter.

Father LeRoy had me open our Reading Club discussion with my chapter summery.

So I stood with my paper and read.

“Today’s chapter is about the wonderful words Our Lady said to Bernadette: I am the Immaculate Conception.

The book says that Our Lady did not say, ‘I am Mary, the Immaculate.’ She said something even deeper. She said, ‘I am the Immaculate Conception,’ as if purity was not only something she had, but something she was.

The chapter explains it in a way I liked very much. Something white can stop being white, but whiteness itself is always white. In the same way, Mary is not only pure. She is like purity itself, because God made her without any stain of original sin.

Then the chapter tells something very dear about Bernadette. She did not even know what the words Immaculate Conception meant. But because Our Lady had said them, Bernadette wanted to remember them exactly. So all the way back to Lourdes, step after step, she kept repeating, ‘Immaculate Conception, Immaculate Conception,’ so she would not forget before she reached the priest.”

When I finished, the group was quiet for a moment.

Sister Mary Claire folded her hands and said, “That part about Bernadette repeating the words is so dear. She did not understand them, but she was faithful to them. Sometimes obedience begins before understanding.”

Robert nodded. “She didn’t try to improve the message or explain it in her own way. She just carried the words exactly as Our Lady gave them.”

Father LeRoy smiled. “That is a very important point. Bernadette was poor, young, and uneducated, but she became a faithful messenger. The words themselves were far beyond her learning.”

I looked down at my paper and said, “I think Bernadette must have been afraid of forgetting. I can just see her walking quickly and whispering the words over and over.”

Sister Mary Claire said, “And perhaps each step became like a little prayer.”

That made me happy, because I had been thinking almost the same thing.

Then Father explained that the Church had solemnly taught the dogma of the Immaculate Conception only a few years before the apparitions at Lourdes. “So when Our Lady used those very words,” he said, “it was like Heaven itself was confirming what the Church had proclaimed.”

After the discussion, Sister Mary Claire brought out Baked Just Right chocolate chip cookies and served them with cold milk. The cookies were soft and sweet, and the milk was so cold that the glasses had little beads of water on them. Mini watched carefully, but Sister told her that cookies were not for Corgis, even very faithful ones and then slipped her a puppy treat.

Before we ended, Father LeRoy asked me to read the Club prayer. So I unfolded my paper and read:

 

 
Father made the Sign of the Cross, gave the dismissal, and we all gathered our books.

As I walked away from the apple tree, I kept thinking of Bernadette hurrying along the road, repeating the words at every step.

Immaculate Conception. Immaculate Conception.

I hope I can remember holy things that carefully too.

Love,
Kathy

 

She Tells Us Her Name

Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met again under the apple tree behind St. Mary’s. It was a beautiful place to read about Lourdes, because the leaves made a soft roof over us, and the light came through in little patches on the grass. Mini settled beside my chair as usual, watching everything as if she were the official club guard.

Father LeRoy asked me to begin with the little introduction I had written for today’s chapter.

So I stood up with my paper and read:

“Today’s chapter tells about March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation. Since the last day of the Quinzaine, Bernadette had gone back to the Grotto several times, but not in the same way as before. She had not felt that strong inward call that had drawn her there during the Apparitions.

“But on this morning, she heard the call again. She went at once to Massabielle, full of hope, because she felt she was going to see the beautiful Lady once more.

“By this time, everyone in Lourdes watched Bernadette closely. When people saw her walking toward the Grotto, they said, ‘Bernadette is going to the Grotto,’ and soon a crowd hurried after her.

“The snow had melted in the valley, though it still rested on the mountain peaks. The sky was clear, and the morning was bright. It was the Feast of the Annunciation, when the Church remembers the Angel Gabriel coming to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“At the Grotto, Bernadette saw the Apparition again. She asked several times, ‘O Lady, would you have the kindness to tell me who you are and what is your name?’ At first the Lady only smiled and grew more radiant. Then at last she joined her hands, raised her eyes toward Heaven, and said, ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’

“This was the answer everyone had been waiting for. The beautiful Lady of the Grotto was the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

When I finished, no one spoke right away. It seemed as if the words were still resting under the apple tree with us.

Then Sister Mary Claire said, “What a beautiful thing, that Our Lady gave her name on the Feast of the Annunciation. On that day, Mary first said yes to God. And at Lourdes, she came again to lead souls back to Him.”

Father LeRoy nodded. “And we must remember,” he said, “that Bernadette was only a poor, simple child. She did not invent those words. ‘I am the Immaculate Conception’ was far beyond what she would have understood on her own. That is one reason the words were so powerful.”

Robert said, “It makes me think of how Heaven speaks simply, but deeply. The Lady did not give a long speech. She only said who she was, and that was enough.”

Father smiled. “Yes, Robert. Sometimes the greatest truths come in the fewest words.”

Sister added, “And Bernadette kept asking humbly. She did not demand. She said, ‘Would you have the kindness?’ That is a good lesson for prayer too.”

I liked that very much. Bernadette was brave, but she was never proud. She was little before Heaven, and maybe that is why Heaven could use her.

After the discussion, Father LeRoy suddenly said, “One moment,” and hurried into the rectory. We all looked at one another, wondering what he was doing. A few minutes later he came back carrying a tray with twelve banana splits he had made beforehand.

There were bananas, ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and cherries on top. Mini sat up very straight when she saw them, but Sister Mary Claire told her that banana splits were not part of a Corgi’s vocation.

Father said, “A feast day deserves a feast.”

Everyone laughed, and we ate slowly under the apple tree. I thought it was one of the happiest Reading Club days we have had.

When we were finished, Father asked me to read the Reading Club prayer before he dismissed us. So I unfolded the paper and read:
 

Father made the Sign of the Cross and gave the dismissal. Everyone began gathering books and spoons and empty dishes, but I stayed still for a moment under the apple tree.

Today we had read the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

And somehow, even in our little churchyard in Iowa, it felt as if Lourdes had come very near.

Love, 

Kathy

Watching Lourdes from the Apple Tree

 
Dear Diary,

This morning after Holy Mass, our Reading Club met again beneath the apple tree behind St. Mary’s. The shade was cool, the leaves were rustling, and Mini took her usual place beside me as if she had been appointed guardian of the meeting.

Robert surprised everyone by coming with a box of fresh doughnuts with chocolate frosting.

“These are to make up for the day-olds,” he said.

Father LeRoy laughed and said, “A penance well performed, Robert.”

After we settled down, Father asked me to read my little chapter introduction.

Today’s chapter began with a change in the weather at Lourdes. For many days the Apparitions had been favored with beautiful sunshine, but on March fifth, snow came and fewer people could go to the Grotto. Yet the miracles did not stop. In fact, the cures increased.

I told about Benoîte Cazeaux, who had been sick in bed for three years and was considered incurable. After drinking the water from the Grotto and using it with faith, she was suddenly well. I also told about Blaisette Soupenne, whose eyes had suffered terribly for years. Doctors and remedies had failed her, but after she turned to Our Lady and used the water, she was cured.

When I finished, Sister Mary Claire said softly, “The snow slowed the footsteps of the people, but it could not stop the mercy of God.”

Father LeRoy nodded. “That is the lesson. God’s grace does not depend on sunshine. Sometimes His greatest works appear when everything outwardly looks cold and discouraging.”

Robert said he kept thinking about how the doctors had done all they could. “But what men could not do,” he said, “God did.”

Father answered, “True miracles do not insult reason. They remind reason that God is greater than nature, because He made nature.”

We were all quiet after that. Even Mini seemed thoughtful, though she may have been thinking about the doughnuts.

Before we finished, Father asked me to read the prayer I had written yesterday. So I unfolded my paper and read:

Afterward, Father made the Sign of the Cross and said, “That is a good prayer,  it will be our official Readers Club Prayer.  

I tucked the paper back inside my book. Beneath the apple tree, with the pages of Our Lady of Lourdes open before us, it felt as if the Grotto had come a little nearer.

Love,
Kathy

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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