After church this morning, Father said that instead of meeting under our usual apple tree, we should move the picnic table to the left side of St. Mary’s. From there we had a wonderful view of the sunflower field on the other side of the church.
The flowers were so bright and beautiful that I told Sister Mary Claire they looked a little like something we might see in Heaven.
Then we discovered that nobody had brought anything to eat.
Robert jumped into his pickup and drove into Littlemore. It seemed as though he was back in two minutes with Krispy Kreme doughnuts and a quart of cold milk.
Father laughed and said, “Providence sometimes works through fast pickup trucks.”
Mini sat under the table and watched everyone eat. Robert finally gave her a little dish of milk, which pleased her very much.
Then Father asked me to read today’s chapter summary.
I explained that after four years of careful investigation, Bishop Laurence of Tarbes finally gave his judgment about Lourdes. Bernadette had been questioned many times, but her story never changed. She remained simple, truthful, and asked for nothing for herself.
The Bishop also considered the conversions, renewed faith, and remarkable cures connected with the Grotto. Doctors had examined many of them, and the spring water itself had no natural healing properties.
At last Bishop Laurence declared that the Blessed Virgin Mary truly appeared to Bernadette eighteen times beginning February 11, 1858. He approved devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and announced that a sanctuary should be built near the Grotto.
Robert said, “So after all the arguments and investigations, the Bishop finally said it was true.”
Father nodded. “Yes, but only after great care. The Church wanted to be certain.”
Sister Mary Claire said that Bernadette’s humility was one of the loveliest parts of the whole story.
I looked toward the sunflowers and said, “God seems to like choosing little people.”
Father smiled. “He certainly does.”
Just then Mini rested her chin on my shoe, and Robert said, “Here is another little person.”
We all laughed.
When it was time to leave, I said our prayer.
Dear Blessed Mother,
thank you for appearing to Bernadette
and giving us Our Lady of Lourdes.
Help us to be truthful and humble like Bernadette,
and to keep our eyes turned toward Jesus
just as these sunflowers turn toward the sun.
Please watch over Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini,
and all of us in our Reading Club.
And someday, dear Mother,
please help us all reach Heaven together.
Amen.
Father gave us his blessing, and I looked once more across the bright field of sunflowers.
For just a moment, Diary, it really did look a little like Heaven.
Kathy
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