Dear Diary,
After Holy Mass, our Reading Club met again in the clubhouse. Father LeRoy brought a tin of sugar cookies made by his housekeeper, and Robert brought a bottle of cold Jersey milk. Mini settled beneath the little table before we had even opened our books.
Father asked me to read my chapter summary.
I explained that the Prefect ordered Mayor Lacadé to close the Grotto. The Mayor did not seem eager to do it, but he was afraid of losing his position. He agreed to sign the order only after wording was added to show that he was merely obeying his superiors.
Soon barriers were built around the Rocks of Massabielle, and guards watched day and night. Notices warned the people not to enter, yet many still came as near as they could to kneel and pray.
Those who disobeyed were brought before Judge Duprat. He fined them five francs, but then unfairly made each person responsible for the court costs of everyone who had gone to the Grotto that day. A small fine could therefore become a terrible burden for a poor family.
When I finished, Robert said, “They tried to frighten the people away without appearing cruel.”
Sister Mary Claire nodded. “And Mayor Lacadé tried to escape responsibility by saying he was only obeying orders. But we are still responsible for the things we choose to do.”
Father LeRoy said the barriers could keep people from reaching the rocks, but they could not stop their prayers or their faith.
Then Father opened the cookie tin. The sugar cookies were soft in the middle and sprinkled with sugar on top. While everyone was talking, Robert broke off a tiny corner and quietly slipped it beneath the table. Mini took it very gently and then looked up at him as though she had been terribly neglected and might require another.
Before we left, Father asked me to read our prayer.
“Dear Blessed Mother, help us to remain faithful when doing what is right becomes difficult. Give courage to those who are treated unjustly, and teach us never to hide behind excuses when we know what God asks of us. Lead us always closer to Jesus. Amen.”
Father LeRoy blessed us and dismissed the club with the Sign of the Cross.
The officials had placed barriers around the Grotto, but I do not believe any barrier made by men can keep a sincere prayer from reaching Heaven.
Good night, dear Diary.
Love, Kathy
After Holy Mass, our Reading Club met again in the clubhouse. Father LeRoy brought a tin of sugar cookies made by his housekeeper, and Robert brought a bottle of cold Jersey milk. Mini settled beneath the little table before we had even opened our books.
Father asked me to read my chapter summary.
I explained that the Prefect ordered Mayor Lacadé to close the Grotto. The Mayor did not seem eager to do it, but he was afraid of losing his position. He agreed to sign the order only after wording was added to show that he was merely obeying his superiors.
Soon barriers were built around the Rocks of Massabielle, and guards watched day and night. Notices warned the people not to enter, yet many still came as near as they could to kneel and pray.
Those who disobeyed were brought before Judge Duprat. He fined them five francs, but then unfairly made each person responsible for the court costs of everyone who had gone to the Grotto that day. A small fine could therefore become a terrible burden for a poor family.
When I finished, Robert said, “They tried to frighten the people away without appearing cruel.”
Sister Mary Claire nodded. “And Mayor Lacadé tried to escape responsibility by saying he was only obeying orders. But we are still responsible for the things we choose to do.”
Father LeRoy said the barriers could keep people from reaching the rocks, but they could not stop their prayers or their faith.
Then Father opened the cookie tin. The sugar cookies were soft in the middle and sprinkled with sugar on top. While everyone was talking, Robert broke off a tiny corner and quietly slipped it beneath the table. Mini took it very gently and then looked up at him as though she had been terribly neglected and might require another.
Before we left, Father asked me to read our prayer.
“Dear Blessed Mother, help us to remain faithful when doing what is right becomes difficult. Give courage to those who are treated unjustly, and teach us never to hide behind excuses when we know what God asks of us. Lead us always closer to Jesus. Amen.”
Father LeRoy blessed us and dismissed the club with the Sign of the Cross.
The officials had placed barriers around the Grotto, but I do not believe any barrier made by men can keep a sincere prayer from reaching Heaven.
Good night, dear Diary.
Love, Kathy
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