Chapter VI: Extraordinary Graces (1)

OBTAINED THROUGH THE INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL.

I.

_Graces Obtained from 1832 to 1835._

"Bless the God of heaven," said the angel to Tobias and his son; "chant His praises among all mankind for the blessings with which He has loaded you, for it is good to conceal the secret of the king, but it is glorious to reveal and publish the works of God. _Elenim sacramentum regis abscondere bonum est; opera autem Dei revelare et confiteri honorificum est._"[18] Blessed, then, always and everywhere, be the God of heaven and earth, for the numberless benefits He has been pleased to confer upon us through Mary! Let us adore the mysterious destiny of the Mother of the King of Kings, "who, by reason of this title, truly merits the name of Queen," says St. Athanasius; and let us rob neither God nor Mary of the honor and glory due them. Let us publish the Lord's works of power and goodness to man through the mediation of the Immaculate Virgin, whom He has established Depositary and Dispensatrix of the treasures of His mercy, that mercy which embraces our corporal infirmities as well as spiritual needs.

[Footnote 18: Tob., xii, 7.]

An account of the extraordinary graces obtained by means of the Immaculate Conception Medal will be for all Christian souls a source of precious benedictions. At the view of these prodigies of mercy, these marvelous cures and conversions, the reader will be led to thank God and glorify His Holy Mother; those who have already loved Mary will be incited to still greater love; careless Christians, those who are tried by suffering, those who have the misfortune to be in a state of sin, will feel their confidence awakened, and they will tenderly invoke her whom the Church so justly styles Health of the weak, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted.

Experience proves this. Every one knows, moreover, that an example of virtue or an event which clearly reveals God's agency, acts much more powerfully on the soul than a simple consideration of the subject or a series of arguments. "_Verba movent, exempla trahunt_--words can move, example attract."

We also hope for something more from the publication of these accounts--we hope by them to convince the faithful that Mary's dearest title is that of Immaculate, and that she knows not how to refuse the petitions of those who, with lively faith, invoke her by this dearest title. It is, moreover, the Church of Rome which thus reveals, as it were, all the merciful tenderness of Mary's Heart, and presents us the devotion to her spotless Conception as the sure means of enriching ourselves from the exhaustless treasures of that Heart and according to all our necessities. "_Sacra Virgo Maria ... sentiant omnes tuam juvamen quicumque celebrant tuam sanctam Conceptionem_;"[19] and surely this prayer of the Mother of all churches--prayer which we might readily style prophetic--has long since been answered. We have recently seen a compilation, made in 1663 by a Jesuit father, with the approbation of the Ordinary, containing an account of sixty-two conversions or cures effected in different places by the invocation of Mary conceived without sin, and apparently nothing less than miraculous. It is also a well known fact, mentioned in the life of B. Peter Fourrier, founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame, that these simple words, "Mary was conceived without sin," worn with faith, brought relief to a multitude of sick persons during an epidemic. The same means obtained not less visible protection at Nemours, when that city was in imminent danger of being sacked, and also at Paris in 1830. But we confine ourselves to the graces obtained through the Miraculous Medal. Our choice of examples will show that, in bestowing especial favors upon France, the Immaculate Mary gives no less striking proofs of her protection in other countries where the medal is known and piously worn.

[Footnote 19: Offic. Concept. B.V.M.R. viii.]

Among the traits of protection obtained through the medal in the diocese of Paris, nine (three conversions and six cures) underwent a detailed examination, and were pronounced veritable by the Promoter in the investigation of 1836. We mention them in this edition, adding to each one's title the word--Attested.

Quite a number of incidents printed in the edition of 1842 we have omitted here, in order to insert (without greatly increasing the size of the volume) more recent accounts equally reliable, thus proving that the medal is not less miraculous in our day than at the time of the apparition.

The extraordinary graces of which it has been the instrument, would have formed an uninterrupted series from the year 1832 till the present, if unfortunately, neglecting to keep note of them, an interval of several years had not crept into the documents in our possession.

For the future, please God, no such omission will occur, and all the authenticated accounts which come to our knowledge will be carefully registered for the glory of Mary conceived without sin, and the edification of her servants.

CONVERSION OF A SOLDIER AT ALENÇON--1833.

The 14th of April, 1833, there was brought to the hospital of
Alençon (Orne) a sick soldier, who came from the hospital of Vitré
(Ile-et-Vilaine). His impiety there had greatly distressed the
hospitable ladies of St. Augustin, in charge of that establishment,
a circumstance communicated to us by persons who witnessed the
insulting manner in which he rewarded the kind attentions of their
unfailing charity. Arrived at the hospital Alençon, we soon saw
what he was, irreligious, impious, and brutally rude. The chaplain
hastened to visit him, and condole with him on his sufferings; and
as the opening of the Jubilee very naturally paved the way for a
few words on that extraordinary grace, he gently exhorted the sick
man to imitate the example of other soldiers who were preparing to
profit by it, but his words were answered by insults. The chaplain
did not insist, and contented himself for several days with merely
visiting him, and kindly sympathizing with his sufferings; the sick
man scarcely replied, and seemed much annoyed, even at the visits.

The Daughters of Charity in charge of this hospital, met with no
better treatment, notwithstanding the kind attentions they lavished
on him. His malady increased; seeing that it was becoming very
necessary for him to receive the consolations of religion, the
chaplain urged him again to make his peace with the good God, but
he was answered by blasphemies. "Ah! yes, the good God, little He
cares for me." In answer to this the abbé made a few observations
full of charity, and the patient continued: "Your good God does
not like the French; you say He is good and He loves me; if He
loved me, would he afflict me like this, have I deserved it?"
These outbursts of impiety only inflamed the charitable zeal of
the minister of a God who died for sinners, and inspired him with
forcible language, to depict the justice and merciful goodness of
the Lord. The sick man soon interrupted him by invectives: "You
worry me; let me alone; go away from here; I need neither you nor
your sermons," and he turned over to avoid seeing the priest.
His treatment to the Sisters was no better; and he continued to
utter the most horrible blasphemies against religion, and those
who reminded him of it; he carried this to such a degree, that
the other soldiers were indignant, especially at his outrageous
behaviour, after any one has spoken to him about his soul, or there
had been prayers or a little spiritual reading in the room--he
appeared dissatisfied, until he had vomited forth his stock of
blasphemies and imprecations. Some days passed and nothing was
said to him on the subject of religion, but every care for his
bodily comfort was redoubled; no one now scarcely dared hope
for his return to God, for his malady increased, and likewise
his impiety; all contented themselves with praying for him, and
recommending him to the prayers of others. The Sister in charge of
that ward, having great confidence in the Blessed Virgin's promises
to all under the protection of the medal, felt urged interiorly
to hang one at the foot of his bed; she yielded to the apparent
inspiration, and, unknown to him, the medal was there. He still
showed no signs of relenting, and even became indignant when some
of the other soldiers prepared themselves, by confession, to gain
the Jubilee. The medal had now been six days hanging at the foot of
his bed, and many and fervent were the prayers offered up to God
for this miserable creature's conversion, although nearly every one
despaired of it. One day, when all the convalescents of the ward
were assisting at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sister
approached his bed, detached the medal and held it up before him.
"Look," said she, "at this medal, it is miraculous; I hung it to
your bed several days ago, and thereby put you under the Blessed
Virgin's especial protection. With her powerful assistance, I
confidently hope for your conversion. Look at this good Mother, she
is praying for you now." He never raised his eyes, but already was
grace working in his heart, for he showed no signs of irritation
which had heretofore been the inevitable consequence of mentioning
religion. Profiting by this, the Sister spoke to him of God's
mercy, and begged him again to cast a glance at the medal she had
just hung at the foot of his bed on the inner side. After being
repeatedly urged, he opened his eyes and looked towards it. "I do
not see your medal," said he to the Sister, "but I see the candle
which, doubtless, you have just lit; yes, it is certainly a light."
It was five o'clock in the afternoon, June 13th; his bed was so
placed that it could not receive any reflection of the sun's rays,
and the chaplain, after examining the spot felt assured, that at
no time could a reflection strike it in that direction. "You are
mistaken," said she, "look at it carefully." He repeated in the
most positive manner, "I see it distinctly, it is certainly a
light." Astonished beyond expression, but fearing her patient's
sight was affected, the Sister showed him other and more distant
objects; these he distinguished perfectly, and continued to see
this light for a quarter of an hour. During this interval, the
Sister spoke to him of God; suddenly, fear and love filled his
heart. "I do not wish to die as I am!" he exclaimed, "tell the
chaplain to come immediately and hear my confession." Hearing one
of the other patients utter an oath, "oh! make that miserable man
hush!" said he, to the Sister; "oh! I beg you to make him stop
swearing."

"I was still ignorant," says the chaplain, "of the origin and
effects of this medal. It was a very familiar object, and I
regarded it as nothing more than an ordinary medal. When told
that the sick man wanted me, I went joyfully, and saw for myself
what a complete change had taken place in him. Congratulating
and encouraging him, without knowing the cause of this change,
I hastened to ask him if he wished me to hear his confession.
He replied in the affirmative, and made it without delay; I had
every opportunity of admiring his good will and the pleasure he
manifested at each repetition of my visit. I endeavored to make him
explain himself, and asked if he had not acted from mere civility
or a desire to rid himself of the importunities by which he had
been so long beset. "No," he answered, "I sent for you, because
I wished seriously to make my confession and arise from my state
of sin." Henceforth he was no longer the same man; he was now as
docile, patient, gentle and edifying in all his words and ways,
as he had formerly been unmanageable, brutal and scandalous.
He eagerly desired the Last Sacraments, which, after proper
preparation, he received with lively faith. His happiness seemed
beyond expression, and though suffering intensely, no one ever
heard the least sign of impatience escape his lips. He continued
to give the most unequivocal signs of a true conversion; peace and
resignation were depicted in his countenance, and to his last sigh,
which he breathed June 27th, 1833, did he persevere most faithfully.

NOTE.--These details are attested by M. Yver Bordeaux, chaplain of the Hotel Dieu; by the Sisters of Charity; by a woman patient named Bidon; Julien Prével, an infirmarian; by Jean François Royer, of the Seventh Cuirassiers; Marie Favry, infirmarian, all eye witnesses, besides a large number of other soldiers who left the city whilst we were investigating the matter.

CURE OF MADEMOISELLE AURELIE B. (PARIS)--1833. _Attested._

The account of this cure was sent us by the person herself in the month of May, 1834.

The 3d of November, 1833, I was attacked by a typhoid fever, for
which I was treated by a skillful physician and the Sisters of
Charity, who spared no pains for my recovery. At the end of a month
I was able to take a little nourishment, and I had the happiness
of assisting at the Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion on the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception. I was still very weak, and
utterly incapable of any exertion. In this state of exhaustion, I
took a little chocolate. The fever soon returned, and continued
with daily increasing violence until Christmas. Then the physician
said there was no longer any hope of my recovery. Another physician
was called in, who, after an examination, declared me consumptive
to the last degree, but said they might try the effect of a few
blisters. Those proved of no benefit. The 27th of December, the
physicians finding me extremely ill, informed the Sisters that my
death was imminent. Moreover, I had been cold for two days. About
half-past six that day, I received the last Sacraments, and at nine
every one thought I would soon breathe my last. Suddenly, one of
the good Sisters around my couch thought of putting the medal on
me. I kissed it continually with great confidence, and began to
feel better. My condition next morning was a matter of astonishment
to the physician, and I continued to improve so rapidly that,
at the end of two days, the fever had entirely disappeared. My
appetite was ravenous, I soon resumed my occupations, and ever
since have been in perfect health. I doubt not, Monsieur, that I
owe my recovery to Mary, my good Mother, my love for whom seems to
have increased; my greatest happiness being to decorate her altars,
and my most earnest desire that of consecrating myself to God in a
Community whose works have so touching a connexion with the sublime
destiny of the Mother of Jesus; it is under her protection I expect
the accomplishment of my designs.

Yours very respectfully,

AURELIE B.

NOTE.--The nine Sisters of the establishment have attested the truth of these details, and one of the two physicians does not hesitate to declare her recovery supernatural.

Moreover, this young person has ever since remained in perfect health. Her prayers are granted, the Immaculate Mary has also obtained for her the grace of being received into the Community she wished to enter, which is the reason we do not give her name.

CURE OF A RELIGIOUS (PARIS)--1834.--_Attested._

This fact is known to many; however, to prevent too great a number of visitors, the Superior requests us not to publish the name of the Community.

A young religious, twenty-seven and a-half years old and eight years professed, in an Order especially consecrated to the Blessed Virgin (Paris), had been kept in the infirmary by various maladies, for the space of five months. At the very time she appeared convalescent, an accident of the gravest nature happened; her left thigh bone became disjointed and shrunken, the limb was attacked by paralysis, and the sick religious lay upon her bed one month, without experiencing the slightest alleviation from human remedies. Two physicians and a surgeon being consulted at various times, pronounced the displacing of the bone due an irritating humor; but they could not check it, even by means of cauterizing and issues, so that after a long and painful treatment, she remained a cripple. She now had recourse to the Blessed Virgin as a child to its good mother; a religious of the house having brought her one of those medals called miraculous, which had been given her, she received it gratefully, applied it to the afflicted member and commenced, Saturday, March 1st, 1834, a novena to the Blessed Virgin. All human remedies seemed unavailing; she lost her appetite and was unable to sleep. She was also racked with high fever; however, having snatched a little repose during the Wednesday night after beginning the novena, she was suddenly awakened by a very painful commotion, which re-established the bones in their place; the leg which had been shortened about six inches, became lengthened almost even with the other, and recovered its usual strength. On visiting her next morning, the physicians were greatly astonished, but gave orders that she should not yet leave her bed. On Sunday, the last day of the novena, the fact of the cure was established beyond a doubt. The religious arose quite naturally, and without any assistance, ran to kiss the feet of Mary's statue, placed over the infirmary fire-place; then, dressed in her habit, and accompanied by the Mother Infirmarian, she descended about a dozen steps to the chapel to adore the Blessed Sacrament, after which she repaired to the community room, where the Superior with her Mothers and Sisters were assembled, to give her the kiss of congratulation. This touching scene was terminated by the recitation of the _Te Deum_, and _Sub Tuum_. No trace of disease remained, except a slight weakness for a few days, and as this was felt only in the sound limb, it was evidently the result of her having been six months in bed.

Two of the physicians acknowledged, with all the Community, that it was a supernatural favor. One of them has even declared in a certificate of May 4th, 1834, that without wishing to characterize a fact as extraordinary, he observes that in this circumstance there are: 1st, spontaneous disjointing; 2d, spontaneous diminution, three days convalescence, and these last two are, to the extent of his knowledge, without parallel in the records of surgery.

The religious has never had another attack of this infirmity.

CURE OF A SICK PERSON (CHÂLONS SUR MARNE)--1834.

The Abbé Bégin, an eye-witness of this cure, which took place at the hospital St. Maur, where he is chaplain, has prepared a verbal process which attests: 1st, that the patient was really afflicted; 2d, that she was cured March 14th, 1834; 3d, that she declares no other means were employed than the medal and prayer. This verbal process is signed by a hundred persons of the above-mentioned hospital.

"Madame C.H., a widow, aged seventy, a charity patient at the
hospital St. Maur, was, in consequence of a fall the 7th of
August, 1833, crippled to such a degree that it was with great
difficulty she could walk, even with the aid of a crutch, and
sometimes the additional assistance of another person's arm; she
could scarcely seat herself, and to rise was still more of an
effort. To ascend the stairs was almost impossible, she could
accomplish it only by grasping as she went along whatever lay
within reach. She could not stoop or kneel; the left limb, which
was the principal seat of her malady, she dragged helplessly after
her, not being able to bend it.

"Such was her sad condition at the beginning of March, 1834.
However, she heard something that enkindled a ray of hope in her
heart. Some one had spoken to her the January previous of a medal
said to be miraculous; it bore on one side the image of Mary
crushing the infernal serpent's head, her hands full of graces
figured by rays of light proceeding from them, and the invocation:
'O Mary! conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to
thee!' on the other, the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, with
the letter M surmounted by a cross. She was also informed of the
wonders it had wrought, and her heart awoke to the consoling hope
of realizing some benefit from the medal which had been promised
her. How she sighed for the happy moment when it would be in her
possession! How long the time of waiting appeared! At last, her
desires were gratified; the 6th of March she received, as if
it were a present from Heaven, the long wished-for medal, and
hastened, by the reception of the Sacrament of Penance, to prepare
herself for the desired favor. Next day, the first Wednesday in
the month, she commenced by Holy Communion a novena to the Sacred
Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Twenty times, day and night, did she
press to her lips the precious medal hung around her neck. For
several days of the novena, our Lord severely tried her faith
anew. Her sufferings increased greatly, likewise her fervor and
confidence, and soon the most blessed results were the recompense
of this poor woman's prayers.

"Seven days of the novena had not elapsed ere she was relieved of
the sufferings that had so cruelly afflicted her for seven months.
I could not depict the astonishment and admiration of every one,
who saw on the morning of March 14th this person so helpless
the very evening before, walk with all ease imaginable, bend,
kneel, go up and down high steps. One spoke of it to another for
mutual edification, and, in turn, came to congratulate her on her
recovery, and give thanks to God and Mary. The Superior, who had
bestowed constant care upon the sick woman during her crippled
state, and had thus been a daily witness of her sufferings,
returned solemn thanks for this extraordinary grace, the whole
Community chanting a _Te Deum_ in their chapel.

"P.S.--I forgot to say that the widow has the free use of all her
limbs, and has never since had a return of her former infirmity."

The following is what Monseigneur thought proper to append to the verbal process, an extract from which we have just read: "We certify that credence can, and ought to, be placed in the testimony of the Abbé Bégin, that of the Sisters and so many other eye-witnesses who have spoken conscientiously and from no motive save that of zeal for the truth.

"† M.S.F.V., Bishop of Châlons.

"_Châlons, May 30, 1834._"

CONVERSIONS OF M. DE CASTILLON, CAPTAIN IN THE 21ST LIGHT GUARDS;
AND OF A WOMAN--1834.

Extract from a letter of Sister C. (Herault) to M.E.:

"_November 13, 1834._

"It should be the duty of children to glorify their mother, and
a very sweet one it is for me to acquaint you with two incidents
manifesting the boundless charity of Mary conceived without sin.

"The first relates to a sick soldier in our house. Though we
had already witnessed the efficacy of the medal, in effecting
the conversion of several soldiers most obstinate in resisting
grace, no conversion was so striking as this. M. Frederick de
Castillon, aged thirty-five, Captain in the 21st Light Guards,
entered the hospital, April 29th, in the last stage of consumption,
and attacked by paralysis of the left side. We nursed him a long
time, his condition grew alarmingly worse, but how could we
mention religion to a young soldier who boasted of having none?
I kept myself always informed of his state, and contented myself
(apparently) with watching the progress of the disease. Several
times I attempted to make him realize his danger, but in vain. One
day, when he was much worse, and I had an opportunity of seeing
him alone, I ventured to inquire if he were a Catholic. 'Yes,
Sister,' he replied, looking steadily at me. I then asked him to
accept a medal, to wear it, and frequently invoke the Immaculate
Mary, telling him at the same time that, if he did so with faith,
this good Mother would obtain for him all the graces he needed, for
bearing his sufferings patiently and meritoriously. He received it
gratefully, but did not put it on.

"But our confidence in the Blessed Virgin's influence over him
was not diminished, especially when we saw him place the medal
on the side of his bed. The Sister in charge of that hall had
already slipped one in his pillow-case. Several days passed, his
strength was gradually ebbing away, and after many ineffectual
efforts to obtain his consent to see a priest, I asked a clergyman
to visit him notwithstanding, and I introduced him into the sick
man's presence just as some one came to tell me he could not live
through that night (October 15th). We found him extremely ill,
but still inflexible. After a few moments, I withdrew, and left
him alone with the charitable priest, who could get nothing from
him but these despairing words: 'Leave me in peace, to-morrow I
shall be dead, and all will be over!' Of course, there was nothing
else to be done but comply with his request, and you can imagine
how painful it was. We redoubled our petitions to the Immaculate
Virgin, and this good Mother soon wrought a change in the
unfortunate man's heart.

"Next day, he asked the physician to tell him candidly if his case
were hopeless, because he wished to arrange his affairs. That same
evening, as soon as the Sister in charge of the hall entered, he
said to her very gently and penitently: 'Oh! how sorry I am to have
treated the Superior so badly, and the good priest she brought
me! Present my apologies to them, I beg you, and ask them to come
again.' You know we delayed not a moment in going to see him.
Next morning he began his new life, and during the nine days M.
Castillon still lived the chaplain visited him several times every
day, remaining two hours at a time. One of his brother officers,
coming to see him just after his first confession: 'If you had
been here a few minutes sooner,' said M. de Castillon, with an
utter disregard of human respect, 'you would have found me in good
company. I was with the curé, and I could not have been in better.'
He had the happiness of receiving the Last Sacraments with the most
admirable dispositions. Here are his dying words, which he asked
this gentleman to commit to writing: 'I die in the religion of my
fathers, I love and revere it, I humbly beg God's pardon for not
always having practiced it publicly.' And he expired in the peace
of the Lord, October 23d.

"I now relate the second conversion, that of a woman who, for
eighteen years, had been a public scandal, living with a wretch who
had abandoned wife and children for her. To such wicked conduct,
she added a more than ordinary degree of impiety, boasting that
she believed neither in God nor hell, and mocking at everything
religion held sacred. Although dangerously ill, she declared that
never would she make a confession. Sister N., seeing the rapid
progress of the disease and near approach of death, had recourse
to the Blessed Virgin; she put a medal around the woman's neck,
and began a novena for her conversion, relying upon the assistance
of her who, every day, gives us continually increasing proofs
that she is our Mother and a most merciful one. Before the novena
was finished, this poor creature, yielding to grace, made her
confession, and renounced forever the wretch who had been her
curse, manifesting as much sorrow for her past life, and proving
herself as pious as she had heretofore been shamelessly impious.

"The above facts, Monsieur, I have thought it my duty to make known
to you, for the edification of the faithful and the glory of Mary.
May these examples of her power and bounty, lead all sinners to
cast themselves into her arms!"

NOTE.--These two events are truly a confirmation of what St. Bernard says, "that no one ever invokes Mary in vain;" but what a misfortune for those who refuse her succor! A very reliable individual once told us, that a sick person to whom a medal had been given, and who began to feel the effects of grace, suddenly insisted upon having the medal taken off, saying: "It hurts me; I can wear it no longer." To quiet him it was taken off, and he soon expired without the slightest sign of conversion. The person relating this, was an eye-witness; it happened in the month of October, 1834.

CONVERSION AND CURE OF MME. PÉRON AND CURE OF HER
DAUGHTER.--_Attested._

NOTE.--It is Mme. Péron herself who gives us all the details. She lives in Paris, rue des Petites-Écuries, No. 24. We quote her own account, written February 26th, 1835, from her dictation, and in presence of the Sister who visited her in her sickness.

"I was sick eight years, and afflicted with very considerable
hemorrhages. I suffered much and almost continually. I was without
strength; I took but little nourishment, and that little increased
my malady, which was gradually exhausting me. I do not remember
to have had during these eight years, more than eight entire days
of relief from pain; the rest of the time I passed on the bed,
unable to perform the work necessary to aid my poor husband in
supporting the family. I have even been confined to my bed as
long as eighteen months without intermission. I consulted several
physicians, who prescribed the remedies usual in such cases, but
all to no purpose. My husband, not being able to afford such
expense, and seeing no hope of my recovery, lost courage and was
almost in despair. Some kind persons sought to cheer him: 'You must
not be so low-spirited, my poor Bourbonnais, you must bear up under
these trials and show your strength of character; your wife is very
sick, but she will recover and your friends will not abandon you.'
As for myself, seeing that medicines had no effect and cost us a
great deal of money, I dispensed with doctors, and was a long time
without seeing one, having resigned myself to a slow death.

"A neighbor who understood my position, came one day to see me,
and urged me not to give up thus, but to have the physician again.
I opposed it, because we had not the wherewith to remunerate him.
She then proposed to call in a Sister of Charity. I observed that
not being in want, perhaps the Sisters would refuse to come, as it
might thus deprive of their services, others more unfortunate than
myself. This good lady insisted, and I yielded.

"Next morning, I received a visit from Sister Marie (of St. Vincent
de Paul's parish), who brought me some assistance, encouraged me to
support my sufferings, and did her best to console me. I can truly
say that happiness entered my house with this good Sister. She
soon sent a physician, who, after examining me and understanding
my case, told her, as I have since learned, that it was a hopeless
one, I had a very little while to live, and ought to be sent to
the hospital to spare my family the sad spectacle of my death.
Hearing this, Sister Marie believed it her duty to give my soul
especial attention. I was not an enemy to religion, but I was
not very practical; I went sometimes to the parish functions,
when my sufferings and occupations permitted, but (and I say it
to my shame) I had not approached the Sacraments for years. When
the Sister, after several other questions, asked me if I went to
confession, blushing, I said 'no.' She begged me to do so, and
I replied: 'When I am cured, I will.' The good Sister, little
satisfied with my evasive answer, urged me again to see a priest.
'Sister,' said I, 'I don't like to be persecuted with things of
this sort, when I am cured I will go to confession.' I saw that
this answer grieved her, but she never remitted her visits and kind
attentions. My malady increased. One Saturday or Sunday night, at
the commencement of October, 1834, my whole body was cold, and
vainly did my friends endeavor to restore a natural warmth, the
chill of death seemed on me. They spoke of reciting the prayers
for the dying; I understood a part of what was said, but myself
was speechless. Whilst I was so ill, my husband told our eldest
daughter to go to bed, and he, thinking me easier because I was
feebly breathing, threw himself, without undressing, upon the bed
to snatch a little repose; but, getting up a few minutes later, he
came to me, put his hand on my face, and was horrified to find it
covered with a cold sweat. He thought me dead, and called aloud:
'Euphemie,' (this is our eldest daughter's name), 'Euphemie, alas!
thy mother is dead!' Euphemie arose and mingled her lamentations
with those of her father. Their cries awakened Madame Pellevé, our
neighbor, who came to console them. 'Ah! madame,' said my husband,
on seeing her, 'my wife is dead!' Having begged him to be resigned
to God's will, this lady approached me, and, placing her hand upon
my heart: 'No,' she exclaimed, 'she is not dead, her heart still
beats.' They kindled a fire, and succeeded in restoring a little
warmth to my body.

"Madame Pellevé went betimes to inform Sister Marie of all this,
and the latter hastened to tell the physician. 'I am not at all
surprised,' he answered; 'this lady has two incurable diseases.
Besides these hemorrhages, she is in the last stage of consumption,
as I have already told you, and if not dead before this, she will
not live through the day.' My chest had, indeed, been very weak for
some time, and the physicians in consultation had all said I could
never be cured.

"At two o'clock in the afternoon I received a visit from Sister
Marie, who found me not quite so ill; I could speak. 'Do you
love the Blessed Virgin very much?' said she. 'Yes, Sister,' I
had indeed always practiced some devotion in honor of this good
Mother. 'If you love her very much, I can give you something to
cure you.' 'Oh! yes, I shall soon be well.' I spoke of death, for
I felt that it was near. Then she showed me a medal and said:
'Take this medal of the Blessed Virgin, who will cure you, if you
have great confidence in her.' The sight of the medal filled me
with joy; I took it and kissed it fervently, for I truly longed to
be cured. The Sister now recited aloud the little prayer which I
could not read, and urged me to repeat it daily; I promised to add
five Paters and five Aves. She then put the medal around my neck.
At that instant, there passed through me a new, strange feeling,
a general revolution in my whole body, a thrill through all my
members. It was not a painful sensation, on the contrary, I began
to shed tears of joy. I was not cured, but I felt that I was going
to be cured, and I experienced a confidence that came not from
myself.

"Sister Marie left me in this state; after her departure, my
husband who had remained motionless at the foot of my bed said:
'Put all your confidence in the Blessed Virgin; we are going to
make a novena for you.' Towards evening I could raise myself up in
bed, which was very astonishing, considering my extreme exhaustion,
but a few hours previous. On Tuesday I requested some broth,
which was given me at last, and a little while after I took some
soup. My strength returned; I felt that I was cured. Finally, on
Thursday, I wished to go to church to thank the Blessed Virgin.
This suggestion was opposed, but I insisted and at length went.
Whilst on the way and alone (for I preferred going by myself), I
met Sister Marie, who did not recognize me; I took her hand: 'Oh!'
said she, 'it is really yourself!' 'Yes, Sister, it is I indeed; I
am going to Mass: I am cured!' 'And what has cured you so quickly?'
'The Blessed Virgin, and I am going to thank her.' The Sister was
lost in astonishment. I recounted to her how it had all come about
in less than three days, and I kept on to church and heard Mass.
Since then, I have had no return of my malady; I enjoy good health;
I go about my duties, performing a regular day's work, and to the
Miraculous Medal am I indebted for it all."

Not only Madame Péron's body but her soul, did the Blessed Virgin restore to health; she soon chose a Director and went to confession, and she has continued to do so ever since; her life is really very edifying. As she deeply regrets having lived so long estranged from God, her greatest happiness now is in frequently approaching the Sacraments; two things awaken her tears, the recollection of her past life, and gratitude for her twofold recovery.

Nor is this all; the Blessed Virgin seems to have chosen this family for the purpose of displaying in it the wonders of her power. Madam Péron had a daughter aged sixteen, who, after her mother's recovery, gave herself to God in an especial manner, employing in exercises of piety, all her leisure moments, and edifying her companions in the parish confraternity, whenever she could take part in their devotions for she lived in another quarter.

The father also was deeply touched at the favors accorded his wife; he wears the medal, and he has experienced its blessed effects.

Madame Péron has still another daughter, a little girl six years and a-half old, who had great difficulty in speaking, or rather, who did not speak at all, although she was not mute. Her utterance was so impeded, that she scarcely ever finished a word, thus disconcerting the most patient. It was so much the more deplorable, as she was quite a bright child. 'What a pity she does not talk!' said everyone who witnessed her infirmity. When Sister Marie saw this little girl, 'Why do you not send her to school,' said she to the mother, 'instead of keeping her home all day?' 'You hear how she talks,' answered the mother, who did not like to have her child's infirmity exposed. However, she yielded to the Sister's wishes, and little Hortense was sent to the Sister's parish school. Her imperfect speech did not improve, it would sometimes take her five minutes to pronounce half a word. Some days after, Sister Marie, who deeply pitied the child, spoke to her mother of a novena for curing this defect. "Cure Hortense, Sister! it is impossible, it is a natural defect!" The Sister, with increasing anxiety insisted. The novena was commenced on Saturday; it consisted in hearing Mass every day, and reciting a few prayers in honor of the Blessed Virgin. The medal was hung around the little girl's neck, and she was to take part in all the exercises of the novena. For several days there was no change, but Thursday after the Mass of the Blessed Sacrament, Hortense, on leaving church, could speak as distinctly and with as much ease as any one. Those who first heard her were struck with admiration, the news soon spread, and from all sides came persons to see her; they questioned her, and the child answered, they scanned her to see if it were really the same, and recognizing her, they returned, saying: "This is certainly a great miracle, a sudden cure of a natural defect!"

Little Hortense, showing her medal with delight, would say to all who knew and congratulated her: "The Blessed Virgin has cured me."

In thanksgiving for so great a benefit, the child was consecrated to Mary on the 21st of November, Feast of the Presentation, in the same chapel where the apparition of the medal took place, and, in commemoration of this great event of her life, she was to wear only blue and white until her First Communion. Previous to this ceremony, she made her confession, with every evidence of understanding thoroughly the importance of the act. When asked if she loves the Blessed Virgin, "Oh! yes," she answers, "I love her with more than all my heart!" an expression invented, it seems, solely by the fulness of her gratitude. She prizes her brass medal so highly, that she would not exchange it for one of silver or gold, and she wishes it put in the tomb with her when she dies. "We hope, Hortense," said her father not long ago, (he always finds a new pleasure in hearing her talk), "we hope, when you die, that you will leave us this medal as a souvenir of yourself and a relic of the Blessed Virgin." "Certainly, papa, if it gives you so much pleasure, but I promised the Blessed Virgin, the day of my consecration, that the medal should never leave me, but should even descend with me into the tomb when I died."

We publish these details, with the cordial approbation of this family, fully imbued with ever increasing gratitude to Mary Immaculate.

These two accounts have been confirmed by nine other persons.

CONVERSION OF SEVERAL SOLDIERS (HOTEL DES
INVALIDES)--1834.--_Attested._

NOTE.--All these edifying details, which have already produced a most beneficial effect upon many young men, were given us and attested by Sisters Radier and Pourrat, who, having charge of that ward, were witnesses of the facts, and also instruments of divine mercy in operating these prodigies.

"We had in St. Vincent's ward, number 20, royal hotel des
Invalides, Paris, a soldier who had been spitting blood about six
months, and who, it was thought, would soon die of consumption. He
was naturally polite and grateful for the attentions bestowed upon
him, but he showed no signs of religion; his morals were bad, and
it was a well-known fact that, for twenty years, his life had been
one of scandal.

"It appeared, however, that faith was not entirely extinguished in
his heart, for another patient, his neighbor, being on the point
of death and refusing to see a priest, this one entreated him to
yield, and was instrumental in bringing about his conversion.
Alas! his own turn soon came, we saw him growing worse day by day,
he was wasting visibly, and had not once mentioned receiving the
Sacraments. As he had urged his neighbor to prepare for death, we
hoped he would make his own preparation, without being reminded
of it, or, at least, that he would willingly comply with the
first suggestion. On the contrary, he absolutely resisted all our
entreaties, saying: 'I am an honest man, Sister, I have neither
killed nor robbed.' 'Even so,' we would answer, 'we all stand in
need of God's mercy, we are all sinners.' 'Oh! Sister, just leave
me in peace, I beg you.'

"However, he began to realize that he had been sinking for several
days, and he said aloud: 'There is no hope for me!' This thought
appeared to distress him. One day (it was Wednesday, the 26th of
November), the disease took such a sudden turn for the worse, we
feared he would not live through the day, and, being unable to
make any religious impression on him, we warned the chaplain of
his condition and his resistance to all our entreaties. The latter
went to see him. Our patient received him with great respect, but,
wishing to get rid of him adroitly, said: 'I am acquainted with the
curé.' A little while after, the curé visited him, and conversed
with him some time. On leaving his bedside, the venerable, zealous
pastor came to us and said: 'Your patient is very low, and I have
not succeeded in getting him to do anything for his soul; indeed,
I did not urge him too much, for fear he might say _no_, and then
would not revoke it, like so many others, after once giving a
decided negative.'

"The same day a lady of his acquaintance also came to see him, and
earnestly but vainly urged him to make his peace with God. To get
rid of her importunity he said: 'I know the curé; he has already
been to see me, and will return this evening.' The curé returned
indeed, according to promise; the sick man, on seeing him, jumped
out of bed to show that he was not so ill as to make confession a
very pressing matter. The curé, a true Samaritan, rendered him all
the little services imaginable, helping him back to bed, and even
offering to dress his blister; he then spoke to him about his soul,
but without avail, for after an hour's conversation he came to us
and said: 'I am deeply grieved, for I have done my utmost, but it
has had no effect upon him.' We asked the curé if we must call him
during the night, in case the sick man grew worse. 'I think,' said
he, 'you had better not, unless he asks for me.' A little later one
of us reminded him again of the chaplain, who was passing, but he
got enraged and began to swear, so that we had to drop the subject,
despite our distress at the thought of his appearing so unprepared
before his God. Our grief was so much the greater in proportion to
his extreme danger, for the death rattle was already in his throat,
and it did not seem possible that he could survive the night. It
was then my young companion said to me: 'Oh! Sister, perhaps our
sins, as our holy St. Vincent says, have been the cause of this
man's impenitence.' Expecting nothing more from the patient, Sister
Radier now turned all her hopes towards the Blessed Virgin. During
night prayers thoughts of the medal came into her mind, and she
said to herself: 'If we put the medal on him perhaps the Blessed
Virgin will obtain his conversion,' and she determined to make a
novena. After prayers she said to her companion: 'Let us go see the
sick man and put a medal on him; perhaps the Blessed Virgin will
grant our petitions.' She went immediately, and found him up and
in a state of great agitation, and about to leave the room; all
the other patients saw it clearly, and said that it was with the
intention of committing suicide. The Sister cautiously took away
his knife and whatever else might be used in this way, slipped
unperceived the medal between his two mattresses, and returned to
us very sadly, saying: 'Let us fervently invoke the Blessed Virgin,
for I very much fear this poor man will kill himself during the
night.'

"Next day, immediately after rising, and even before seeing the
Sister who had kept watch, one of us hastened to visit our patient,
and not without most dire forebodings, but, to our astonishment,
his mind was calm and he seemed better. On inquiring how he felt,
'Very well, Sister,' he answered, 'I passed a good night, I slept
well (which I have not done for a long time), and I am better in
consequence.' As the Sister retired, he called to her, saying:
'Sister, I wish to make my confession, oh! send the curé to me!'
'You wish to confess?' replied the Sister, 'take care; are you
going to do as you did all day yesterday, do you really want him?'
'Yes, Sister, upon my honor.' 'Well, since you wish him, I will go
for him, it will certainly be well for you to confess your sins,
for it is said that your life has not always been edifying.' Then,
without the slightest human respect, he began to mention his sins
aloud, and with great sentiments of compunction; we could scarcely
induce him to stop. The curé came, and he made his confession,
which lasted an hour. Afterwards, one of us having come to see
him, he exclaimed joyfully at our reproach: 'Oh! Sister, how happy
I am, I have been to confession, I have received absolution, and
the curé is to return this evening. Since my First Communion, this
is the happiest day of my life!' He appeared deeply affected, and
expressed a most ardent desire to receive the good God. 'Do you
know what we did?' 'What was it, Sister?' 'We put between your
mattresses a Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin.' 'Ah! then,
that is why I passed such a comfortable night; moreover, I felt as
if there was something about me that wrought a wonderful change,
and I do not know why I did not search my bed; I thought of doing
so.' The Sister then produced the medal, which he kissed with
respect and affection. 'It is this,' he exclaimed, 'that gave me
strength to brave human respect. I must place it on my breast; I
will give you a ribbon to attach it to my decoration,' (he wore the
cross of honor.) The first ribbon offered being a little faded,
'No, Sister,' said he, 'not that, but this; the Blessed Virgin must
have a new ribbon.' The Sister, regarding his weak state, placed
the medal in such a manner that it was somewhat concealed. 'Oh! do
not hide it, Sister,' said he; 'put it beside my cross, I shall not
blush to show it.'

"In the afternoon the curé asked us how our patient was, and he
was not less edified than ourselves at the account we gave of his
admirable dispositions. Preparations were made to give him the last
Sacraments. At the sight of the Holy Viaticum, he was so penetrated
with emotion that he begged pardon aloud of God for all the sins
of his life in detail, and it was with the utmost difficulty he
could be persuaded to lower his voice, his heart being too full
to contain itself. He passed the following night and the next day
in the same dispositions of faith, regret and piety, until Monday
morning, December 1st, when he peacefully rendered his soul to God,
and we have every confidence that it was received into the arms of
His mercy.

"We relate what we saw and heard; it took place in our ward, which
numbers sixty patients, the majority of whom witnessed a part of
these details."

NOTE.--Before burial, the Sister took the medal off his corpse, and the patient in the next bed begged to have it, so persuaded was he that it had been the instrument of this touching conversion.

This consoling return to God was followed by several others not less striking or less sincere, and in that very institution, by the same means--the medal. Quite lately two have taken place, but the details are so very much like the above that for this reason alone we refrain from giving them.

All this has been confirmed by M. Ancelin, curé of the Invalides.

CURE OF M. FERMIN, A PRIEST--1834.

This account was sent us by the Superior General of St. Sulpice, who was anxious that we should have it. The venerable priest of this very estimable Community, who was favored with this grace, wrote the details himself, and they were attested by the Superior and the Director of the grand Seminary of Rheims, both of whom were witnesses.

"To the glory of Mary conceived without sin, I, Jean Baptiste
Fermin, unworthy servant of the Blessed Virgin, and subject of M.
Olier, have, together with my Superior and confrères, thought it
my duty to transmit to our very honored Father, an account of the
special favor accorded me.