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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