Chapter VI: Extraordinary Graces (5)

"Thou hast made us for Thyself, Lord, and our hearts are never
at rest until they repose in Thee! We feel an insatiable need,
which stirs the depths of our being, which consumes us, and
when we yield to it, we inevitably find Thee!

"I bless Thee especially, I adore Thee, when from the depths of
Thy eternity, Thou dost remember compassionately the lowliness
of our being, the dust of which we are fashioned; when from the
heights of heaven, Thou dost cast a glance of pity and love
upon the most humble of Thy children; when, according to the
Prophet's expression, 'Thou dost move heaven and earth,' and
work innumerable marvels to save those who are dear to Thee, to
conquer one soul!

"O, you, upon whom, at this moment, all eyes are bent with
inexpressible emotion, with the tenderest love; for it is God,
it is His mercy we love in you, in you whose presence in this
holy place inspires these thoughts, tell us yourself what were
your thoughts and ways, by what secret mercy the Lord pursued
and reclaimed you?

For who are you? What do you seek in this sanctuary? What are
these honors you seem to bear? What is this white robe in which
I see you clothed? Tell us whence you came and whither you
were going? What obstacle has suddenly changed your course?
For walking in the footsteps of Abraham, your ancestor, whose
blessed son you are this day, like him, blindly obedient to
the voice of God, not knowing whither your journey tends, you
suddenly find yourself in the Holy City.... The Lord's work was
not yet accomplished; but it is for you to describe to us the
rising of the Sun of truth and justice upon your soul, for you
to picture its brilliant aurora.... Tell us why you enjoy, like
ourselves, perhaps more keenly than ourselves, the good word,
the virtues of the future and all our most blessed hopes....
Tell us, for we have the right to know, why you enter into
possession of our goods as your heritage? Who has introduced
you among us, for yesterday we knew you not, or rather we knew
you.... Oh! yes, I shall tell all; I know the joy that will
fill your heart at my revealing your miseries as well as the
celestial mercies.----

"You did not love the truth, but the truth loved you. To
the purest and most ardent efforts of a zeal that sought
to enlighten you, did you oppose a disdainful smile, an
indifferent silence, a subtle response, a haughty firmness, and
sometimes blasphemous pleasantries. O patient God! O God, who
lovest us in spite of our miseries! Thy mercy has oftentimes
a depth, a sublimity, a tenderness and, allow me to say it, a
power and delicacy that are infinite!

"Suddenly a rumor is circulated throughout the Holy City, a
rumor that consoles all Christian hearts, he who blasphemed
yesterday, who this morning even ridiculed the friends of
God, has become a disciple of Christ; celestial grace has
touched his lips, he utters now only words of benediction
and sweetness, the most vivid lights of the evangelical law
seem to beam from his eyes; we may say that a celestial
unction has taught him all things. Whence does he receive this
enlightenment of the eyes of the heart, that heart which sees
all, which has understood all? O God! Thou art good, infinitely
good, and I love to repeat those sweet words, so lately on the
blessed lips of him, whose memory is henceforth ineffaceably
impressed upon our hearts. We wept over him a few days ago,
we still regret him, but we have dried our tears. 'Yes, Thou
art good, and the children of men have truly called Thee the
good God!' (Last words of M. de La Ferronays.) Thou dost set
aside the laws of nature, Thou dost account nothing too much to
save Thy children! When Thou dost not come Thyself, Thou dost
send Thy angels!... O God! shall I here relate all? I ought
to enjoin reserve upon my speech.... But who is she? _Quæ est
ista?_ I cannot say the word, and yet I cannot be silent.

"Hail Mary! You are full of grace; _Ave, gratia plena_, and
from the plentitude of your maternal heart, you love to bestow
your gifts upon us. The Lord is with you, _Dominus tecum_,
and it is through you He is pleased to descend to us! And now
to praise you worthily, I must borrow the images of Heaven or
speak the inflamed language of the prophets! For, O Mary! your
name is sweeter than the purest joys, more delightful than the
most exquisite perfumes, more charming than the harmony of
angels, _in corde jubilus_; more refreshing to the faithful
heart than honeycomb to the wearied traveler, _mel in lingua_;
more encouraging and cheering to the guilty but repentant heart
than the evening dew to the leaves parched and shriveled by
the mid-day sun, _ros in herba_. You are beautiful as the orb
of night, _pulchra ut luna_; you, who guide the bewildered
traveler; you are brilliant as the aurora, _aurora consurgens_;
fair and pure as the morning star, _stella matutina_; and it is
you who precede the dawn of the Sun of Justice in our hearts.

"O Mary! I can never portray all your loveliness and grandeur,
and it is my joy to succumb beneath the weight of so much
glory! But since I speak in the midst of your children, your
children who are my brothers, I shall continue to proclaim
your praises from the depths of my heart's affection.... At
your name, O Mary, Heaven rejoices, earth quivers with joy,
hell fumes with impotent rage.... No, there is no creature so
sublime or so humble, that invoking you, will perish. Those
august basilicas, erected by the piety of mighty nations,
those golden characters, those rich banners worked by royal
hands, likewise the modest offerings of the sailor in your
lowly chapels, in the crevices of the rock, on the shores of
the sea, or even your humble picture which martyr's hands have
traced upon the catacombs, all attest your power in appeasing
the tempests of divine wrath, and attracting upon us heavenly
benedictions.

"O Mary, I have seen the most savage wilds of nature smile
at your name and blossom into beauty; the pious inhabitants
of the deserts celebrate your glory, the mountain echoes,
the torrent billows, vie with one another in repeating your
praises. I have seen great cities bring forth and cherish,
under the shadow of your name, the purest and most noble
virtues. I have seen youth, with generous impulse, confident
ardor, and the inexpressible charm of virtue irradiating its
countenance, prefer your name and the happiness of celebrating
your festivals to all the enchantments of the world and its
most brilliant destinies! I have seen old men, after a godless
life of sixty or eighty years, rise upon their couch of pain,
to remember at the sound of your name the God who had blessed
their early infancy; you were to them as a pledge of security
and of peaceful entrance into the Eternal City! O Mary, who are
you then? _Quæ est ista?_ You are the Mother of our Saviour,
and Jesus, the fruit of your womb, is the God blessed from
all eternity. You are our Sister, _soror nostra es_; though a
child of Adam like ourselves, you have not participated in our
sad heritage, and our woes excite your deepest and most tender
compassion.

"O Mary! you are the masterpiece of the Divine power! You are
the most touching invention of God's goodness! I could not say
more--you are the sweetest smile of His mercy! O God, give eyes
to those who have them not--eyes that they may see Mary and
understand the beautiful light of her maternal glance; and to
those who have no heart give one, that they may love Mary; for
from Mary to the Word Eternal, to the Beauty ever ancient and
ever new, to that uncreated Light which strengthens the feeble
sight and appeases every desire of our souls, from Mary to
Jesus, from the Mother to the Son, there is but a step!----

"Our dearly beloved brother--and I am happy to be the first
to call you thus--behold under what favorable auspices you
enter this new Jerusalem, the tabernacle of the Lord, 'the
Church of the living God, which is the pillar and ground of
truth. But before delivering your heart to these emotions of
joy, there is one severe lesson it should learn this day; and
since I am destined to be the first to announce to you the
words of the Gospel, I shall conceal from you nothing of the
austerity it inculcates. 'You have understood all,' you say;
but let me ask if you have understood the mystery of the cross.
Ah! be careful, for it is the foundation of Christianity. I
speak now not only of that blessed cross which you lovingly
adore, because it places before your eyes Jesus crucified in
expiation of your sins, but borrowing the emphatic language of
an ancient apologist of our Faith, I shall say to you: 'This is
no question of the cross that is sweet for you to adore, but
of the cross to which you must soon submit.' _Ecce cruces jam
non adorandæ, sed subeundæ._ Behold what you must understand if
you are a Christian and what baptism must disclose to you!...
Moreover, in vain would I endeavor to dissimulate the truth, by
saying that your future may reveal no crosses; I see them in
store for you. No doubt, we must venerate them afar off, but
it is infinitely better to bend beneath their weight when laid
upon us, and courageously carry them. I shall be mistaken, if
the evangelic virtues are not increased and fortified in your
soul by patience. And blessed be God for it! You have been
introduced into Christianity through Mary and the Cross!...
It is an admirable mode of introduction! And again I repeat,
blessed be God for it! For I say to you, He has given you
ears to hear and a heart to feel this language! Son of the
Catholic Church you will share your Mother's destiny! Look
at Rome, Rome where you have just been born into the Church;
her heritage here below, is always to combat and always to
triumph. Moreover, nothing astonishes her; and after eighteen
centuries of combats and victories, it is here, in the centre
of Catholic unity, at the foot of the Apostolic See, that focus
whence daily emanate the most vivid and purest rays of Faith,
piercing the shades of paganism, error and Judaism, that the
Church has poured over your forehead the beneficent water of
celestial regeneration. What do I say? It is Peter himself, the
Moses of the new law, worthily represented by the first Vicar
of his august Successor, who has struck for you the mysterious
rock, the immovable stone. _Petra erat Christus_, whence gush
forth those waters springing up unto eternal life.

"But I have said enough; I retard your happiness. Heaven, at
this moment, regards you with love, the earth blesses you
and Jesus Christ awaits you; go forward then; angels have
commenced the feast, and the friends of God continue it with
you here below! And even he who seems dead in our eyes, and
whose heart is living in the hand of the Lord! you know him,
his supplications and prayers have been poured forth in your
behalf; the solemn moment has now arrived! Abraham, Isaac,
Israel, the patriarchs and prophets from their heavenly abode
encourage you, and Moses blesses you, because the law in your
heart has developed into the Gospel; mercy and truth sustain
you, justice and peace attend you, repentance and innocence
crown you.... And finally, it is Mary who receives and protects
you!

"O Mary! it is a necessity and a duty for us to repeat once
more this prayer, this cherished prayer, and I know that not
one of all the multitude here assembled, but will fervently
repeat it with me: 'Remember, O most pious Virgin Mary, that
no one ever had recourse to thy protection, implored thy aid
or sought thy mediation, without obtaining relief. Groaning
under the weight of our sins, we come, O Virgin of virgins, to
cast ourselves in thy arms, and do most humbly supplicate thee.
O Mother of the Eternal Word, to remember the just, remember
sinners, remember those who know thee, and those who know thee
not; remember our woes and thy mercy.' I shall not say remember
this young man, for he is thy child, the sweet and glorious
conquest of thy love, but I shall say, remember all those dear
ones for whom he offers this day, the first prayers of his
Catholic heart; restore them to him in time and eternity.----

"And since I am a stranger here (no, let me recall my words,
no one is a stranger in Rome, every Catholic is a Roman), but
since we were both born on the soil of France, I think my
prayers find an echo in the hearts of all who hear me, when I
say: remember France, she is still the home of noble virtues,
generous souls, heroic love.... Restore to the Church in France
her pristine beauty."

* * * * *

The Holy Sacrifice terminated the imposing ceremony. Our new Christian, overwhelmed beneath the weight of so many favors, had to be assisted to the Holy Table, where he received the Bread of Angels as the seal of his celestial alliance. Inundated with happiness, the tears gushed from his eyes, and after receiving, it was necessary to assist him to his place.... A number of pious Christians participated in the divine banquet, to which the Church so tenderly invites all her happy children, and the admirable spectacle of a blessed union with their new brother, was another edifying episode of this memorable day.

The _Te Deum_ which followed, that most fervent hymn of gratitude, arising from every heart and mingling with the sound of all the bells, was not less impressive. "I pray God," wrote a witness of this ceremony, "never to let the memory of what I experienced during these three hours be effaced from my heart; such an impression is, beyond doubt, one of the most precious graces a Christian soul can ever receive."

Clothed with innocence, enriched with the gifts of Heaven, admitted to its joys, buried in the sweet transports of gratitude and love, M. Ratisbonne could not relinquish immediately his dear solitude. He had made one retreat, as a preparation for the reception of these three grand Sacraments, and he was filled with ineffable consolation; feeling now the necessity, the imperative duty of returning thanks to his Benefactor, he wished to commence a second retreat, so that afar from the world, he might be deaf to the confused noises of its frivolous joys, and amidst the silence of a sweet peace, celebrate the Lord's magnificence, chant hymns of gratitude, taste in secret and at leisure the gifts which had been imparted to him, and the new treasures he possessed.

Another grand consolation was in store for him. He sighed after the happy moment when he could prostrate himself at the feet of the Sovereign Pontiff, and there testify his submission to and love for that holy Church who had just admitted him into the number of her cherished children. An audience was granted him. The two friends, M. Ratisbonne and the Baron de Bussière, were conducted into the presence of His Holiness by the reverend Father General of the Society of Jesus. Having bent the knee three times before the Vicar of Jesus Christ, they received in unison, that holy and desirable benediction, which many pious Christians esteem themselves happy in obtaining, after long and wearisome journeys. They were welcomed with truly paternal tenderness by the venerable Pontiff, who conversed some time with them, and loaded them with tokens of his favor. M. Ratisbonne knew not how to express his admiration for the great simplicity, humility and goodness of this worthy Successor of the Prince of the Apostles. "He was so exceedingly kind," has M. Ratisbonne told me several times since, "as to take us into his chamber, where he showed me near his bed, a magnificent picture of my dear medal, a picture for which he has the greatest devotion. I had procured quite a number of Miraculous Medals. His Holiness cheerfully blessed them for me, and these are the weapons I shall use in conquering souls for Jesus Christ and Mary."

The Holy Father crowns all his favors, by presenting M. Ratisbonne a crucifix, a precious souvenir which the young Christian will ever cherish, clinging to it in his combats and his sorrows, as a weapon that must assure him the victory over hell. A new soldier of Jesus Christ, he needs no other arms than the cross and Mary Immaculate, signal protectors that will guide him in the ways of justice, and one day, usher him into the light of eternal felicity.

Shortly after his second retreat, M. Ratisbonne made preparations for his return to France, and bade adieu to the Holy City, though not without the sweet hope of again offering there his tribute of fervent thanksgiving. We have seen and conversed with him many times. The first emotions of a boundless and almost unparalled happiness are past, but the fruits remain; daily does the precious gift of Faith strike deeper root into this soul regenerated by the waters of holy Baptism; and the divine life, which was communicated to him on the day of his baptism, our new brother nourishes by the frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, and a withdrawal from all worldly society; for whilst awaiting the manifestations of the Lord's will in regard to his future, he feels the necessity of preserving, in the secrecy of a peaceful and recollected life, the treasures he has received.

M. Ratisbonne's conversion, publicly styled a miracle, excited too much interest and comment for the Holy See to allow it to pass unnoticed. The Sovereign Pontiff ordered a canonical examination according to the rules of the Church. The Cardinal Vicar prescribed an investigation. Nine witnesses were examined; all the circumstances weighed, and after a favorable conclusion, the most eminent Cardinal Patrizzi, "pronounced and declared the 3d of June, 1842, that the instantaneous and perfect conversion of Alphonse Marie Ratisbonne, from Judaism to Catholicity, was a true and incontrovertible miracle, wrought by the most blessed and powerful God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For the greater glory of God and the increase of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Eminence deigns to permit the account of this signal miracle, not only to be printed and published but also authorized."--A picture commemorative of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to M. Ratisbonne, a representation of the Virgin of the medal, was placed in the chapel of St. Andrew's Church, where the miracle had taken place.

A few days after his return to France, M. Ratisbonne, in token of his gratitude, and with the intention of obtaining his family's conversion, felt urged to erect a chapel under the invocation of Mary Immaculate, in the Providence orphanage of the Faubourg St. Germain, Paris. The laying of the corner stone took place May 1st, 1842, and the sanctuary was finished and dedicated May 1st, 1844, with great solemnity, in the presence of the founder of the house, M. Desgenettes, curé of Notre Dame des Victoires, the Baron de Bussière, M. Étienne, Superior General of the Priests of the Mission and daughters of Charity, M. Eugène Boré, then a simple layman, but afterwards M. Étienne's immediate successor, the abbé de Bonnechose, later an Archbishop and Cardinal, and many other distinguished persons.

The pious convert often repaired to this sanctuary to mingle his prayers with those of the Daughters of Charity and their dear orphans; and many times has he also enjoyed the ineffable consolation of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice and thanking his celestial Benefactress, before the beautiful picture of the Immaculate Conception placed above the high altar, as a souvenir of the miracle of St. Andrew delle Fratte, for M. Ratisbonne is now a priest. Not content with leading a pious life in the world, he has renounced forever the joys and hopes of time to embrace the ecclesiastical state, which consecrated him unreservedly to God. For several years past he has been associated with his beloved brother Theodore in the order of Our Lady of Sion, the object of which congregation is the conversion of Israelites.

V.

_Graces Obtained from 1843 to 1877, in France, Germany, Italy, America._

CURE OF A LITTLE GIRL (PARIS)--1843.

This account was sent us in the month of January, 1877, by the very person who was cured:

"About the 15th of December, 1843, a little girl, Zénobie de
M., just one year old, was attacked, at the same time, by
water on the chest, a disease of the bowels, and cerebral
congestion. Dr. Flandrin, a friend of the family was called in
immediately, and gave the child every attention, but his skill
was powerless, and the family was plunged in the deepest grief.
The child's eldest sister alone cherished a faint hope in the
depths of her heart; she had intended consecrating herself to
God in a religious state, and had always regarded the birth
of this little one as a gift of Providence, sent to take her
place in the family, and console her afflicted parents. God
will not, she thought, take back the child. In her room was a
picture representing the apparition of the Miraculous Medal;
she knelt before it, begging the child's recovery, and renewing
her promises of embracing a religious life should the petition
be granted. This generous offering she kept a secret. A little
while after, the doctor came and declared the child's case
hopeless, and moreover, its recovery not desirable as it would
remain imbecile, paralyzed or blind. He proposed, however, a
consultation with M. Blache, physician of the Necker hospital,
who prescribed energetic treatment, but said, 'this child
cannot live.'

The poor mother, deeming it inadvisable to cause the little
creature unnecessary suffering, gently laid it in the cradle,
saying with the faith and resignation seen in none but a
Christian mother: 'The Lord gave it to me, the Lord wishes
to take it away, may His holy will be accomplished!' In the
afternoon, one of the aunts came to accompany the elder sister
to church, and whilst their prayers ascended to the Most
High, more for the mother than the child, this mother obeys
spontaneously a supernatural impulse, and taking the Miraculous
Medal as a last hope, she applies it to the body of the child,
and repeats with confidence the invocation: 'O Mary! conceived
without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!' The
plaintive cries ceased, and when M. Flandrin came that evening
to see if the little one were still alive, he was greatly
surprised to perceive a faint improvement since morning, the
whole body covered with a gentle perspiration, and the little
paralyzed arm able to move in any direction. 'But what a pity,'
said he, 'the child will be blind,' which indeed it seemed to
be already, as a light passed several times before its eyes
produced no effect whatever.

"The mother who had not yet mentioned her secret, waited until
all had left the room, then taking her dear medal, she lay it
upon her infant's eyes and repeated the invocation. After a
sound sleep of about twenty-four hours, little Zénobie awoke,
recognizing all around her, and smiling upon all, her sight was
restored!

"The child's father, penetrated with faith and piety, said:
'Assuredly, God alone has restored our child to us; henceforth,
she shall be called Marie, that she may ever bear in mind
to whom she is indebted for life.' An attack of measles now
supervened and finished the work, according to the doctor, by
absorbing the water on the brain, and throwing out upon the
surface of the skin the heretofore internal malady. A small
gold cross, having engraven upon it the memorable date of this
miraculous cure, was hung around the neck of little Marie, who
is now a Daughter of St. Vincent de Paul."

CONVERSION OF A CAPTAIN IN THE AUSTRIAN ARMY.

Letter from the Superioress of the Daughters of Charity, at the Hospital of Gratz (Austria), 1860:

After the war in Italy, a Polish regiment passed through Gratz;
the captain, attacked by a violent hemorrhage, was obliged
to stop at the general hospital, in charge of the Daughters
of Charity. Their constant and unremitting attentions did
not retard the progress of the disease, and his life was in
imminent danger.

Full of consideration, gratitude and politeness for those
who nursed him, he nevertheless expressed great displeasure
whenever they approached him on the subject of religion; he
had requested to be spared the visits of the chaplain of the
regiment, and as to the hospital chaplain, he dared not present
himself. It was necessary to keep the patient very quiet, and
avoid all worry, for the least excitement might cause a mortal
hemorrhage.

A Sister, who had been watching by his couch one night, left,
in mistake, a little book containing an account of favors
obtained through the Blessed Virgin's intercession. The sick
man took the book and read a few pages; another Sister coming
into his room, he showed her a passage, and said, putting his
hand to his forehead with a significant gesture: "Here, Sister,
just read this nonsense; as for myself, I cannot understand
how any one can write such books--if I may dare, let me beg you
to take this away."

Vain was every effort to reach his heart by pleasant
distractions, by engaging his attention or his interest; he
was insensible to all. A few days after the occurrence just
mentioned, a Sister ventured to offer him a medal of the
Blessed Virgin suspended to a cord, so that he might wear it
if he wished. He was too polite to refuse the present, but he
let it remain just where the Sister had put it. His servant,
though a devout Christian, dared not speak to him of receiving
the Sacraments, and, although the patient expected to leave the
hospital soon, it was very evident to all else that the fever
was daily sapping his strength and rapidly conducting him to
the tomb. Much grieved at his condition, and especially his
impenitence, the Sisters determined to make one last effort
to save this soul. And what was it? They wrote the Blessed
Virgin a note, as follows: "Grant that, by some means, most
holy Mother, he may accept your medal, prepare him yourself to
receive the Sacraments, and assist him at the hour of death.
O Mary! conceived without sin, pardon our temerity, we attach
this note to your statue, and leave it there till you deign to
hear our prayers."

The chief physician of the hospital said, one day, to the
Sister on leaving this patient's room: "The captain will die
without the Sacraments, he seems inflexible." "Oh! as to that,"
she replied, "the Blessed Virgin will not fail to overcome his
obstinacy." Three or four days elapsed; one morning the sick
man requested the Sister to put the medal around his neck,
which she did most joyfully. In the afternoon, he called her
again: "Sister," said he, "I beg you to send for the chaplain
of my regiment to hear my confession, so that to-morrow I may
receive the Holy Eucharist and Extreme Unction." The worthy
priest was happy to answer the summons; he remained a long time
with the sick man, and next morning, after celebrating Mass at
the altar of the Immaculate Conception, he administered to him
the Holy Viaticum and Extreme Unction. We were all edified at
the dying man's piety. He cherished his medal with religious
fidelity, often asking for it and kissing it tenderly. A few
days after receiving the Last Sacraments, he rendered his
soul to God, saved, as we have every reason to hope, by the
intercession of Mary conceived without sin.

CONVERSION OF A HARDENED SINNER.

A letter from the Superioress of the Daughters of Charity at Issoudun, 1862:

In the month of August, 1862, a young man aged twenty-nine, and
who had been married several years, was dying of consumption.
Vainly did his friends endeavor to turn his thoughts to
eternity; every idea of religion seemed extinguished in his
heart, and he positively refused to see the priest. A pious
acquaintance informed the Sisters of his deplorable state;
one of them went immediately to see him. She met with a cool
reception, but was not the least disconcerted, and spoke to him
very kindly, proposing to send him a physician, and adding,
that she would supply all necessary medicines and nourishment.
"I need neither doctors nor medicines," was the reply, "I am
going to die, and I ask only that you will let me die in
peace." His poor wife, who was present, holding their little
child in her arms, said to him with tears: "Accept Sister's
offer, and perhaps you will recover," but he made no answer;
and the Sister now turning to his wife, endeavored to console
her, by promising to send the doctor and return soon herself.
The doctor came and met with no better reception. In a few days
the Sister presented herself again, and was received as before,
all her advances eliciting no response save a frigid silence;
but naught discouraged, she returned day after day, though her
reception was always the same. As the young man grew worse,
the Sister's prayers increased, and she felt inspired to offer
him a medal of the Immaculate Conception, still hoping that
the good God would lead back to the fold, this poor strayed
sheep. "I accept a medal!" he exclaimed vehemently, "and what
do you wish me to do with it? It would suit my wife or child
well enough, but as for myself, I want no medals!" The Sister
withdrew from the contest for the time, but not discouraged,
she returned to the charge next morning. "Ah," said she
pleasantly, "you are going to take the medal to-day?" "You know
what I told you yesterday," he answered, "besides, Sister,
I am afraid of becoming imbued with your sentiments should
I accept it, for I perceive that you are much more unhappy
than I care about being." A ray of happiness illumined the
Sister's countenance, for she knew that he who fears is already
conquered. After plying her with questions about religion, he
concluded thus: "After all, death will be a great relief to
me; I have twice made an unsuccessful attempt at committing
suicide. I suffer so much that I desire nothing but to die as
soon possible." Next day, the Sister asked her Superioress to
visit him and offer him the medal. She did so, and he not only
accepted it, but at last consented to see the priest. When our
Sister next saw him he was completely changed, and expressed
his joy at the priest's visit, and his desire of seeing him
soon again. "Sister," said he, "I am too miserable, I wish to
be like you." The priest did not delay his second coming, and
the poor, suffering creature, having made his confession, asked
for Holy Communion, which he had not received for many years,
but this favor was denied him, his throat being so inflamed
that he could swallow only a few drops of liquid. His last days
were sanctified by the most admirable resignation; no one ever
heard him utter a complaint, he asked for one thing only, the
visits of the priest and Sister, which alone seemed to afford
him any consolation. And on the Feast of All Saints, evincing
every mark of a sincere conversion, he breathed his last.

CONVERSION OF A MALEFACTOR.

A Letter from the Superioress of the Daughters of Charity, at the Hospital of Beuthen (Prussian Poland)--1865:

There was brought to our hospital, a young man of notoriously
bad character. He entered our doors blaspheming, and as the
physician had told the Sister that he had but a few days to
live, she essayed a few words of piety and consolation, to turn
his attention to the state of his soul; but he answered her by
maledictions. At last, one day she said to him, "My friend,
since you will not listen to me, I will ask my Superioress
herself to come." "Let her come," was his reply, "if she were
to tell me to hang myself, I would obey her, but as for
confession, she may talk about that as much as she pleases,
I shall never yield." These words were followed by so many
blasphemies, that it was with a very heavy heart the poor
Sister sought her Superioress. "Have you given him a medal?"
said the latter. "A medal!" was the reply, "he would throw it
away." "Ah, well, we must put one under his pillow and trust to
prayer, for it is useless to talk to him; tell him only that I
say he is not worthy of going to confession, and I forbid his
doing so."

As soon as the Sister who was nursing him left the presence
of her Superioress, the latter threw herself upon her knees
and began to repeat that beautiful prayer, the _Remember_. In
a very few minutes the Sister returned, this time shedding
tears of joy. "Ah, Sister," said she, "he wishes to confess;
as soon as I had put the medal under his pillow and recited
the _Remember_ for him, I delivered your message." "Indeed!"
said he, rising from his seat, "Well, I would just like to see
the person that could prevent it; tell your Superioress that
to-morrow morning at eight o'clock, I am going to pay the curé
a visit."

The Sisters felt a little troubled concerning a confession
apparently dictated by the spirit of contradiction, but their
fears were dissipated when the penitent returned bathed in
tears. He had just been to Holy Communion; asking the Sisters'
pardon for his past misconduct, he begged them to implore the
Blessed Virgin to let him live eight days longer, that he might
weep for his sins. This favor was granted him, and daily did he
bedew his pillow with tears. At the end of the eight days he
died, blessing God, and pressing the medal to his lips.

CONVERSION OF AN ACTRESS.

A letter from the Superioress of the Daughters of Charity, at the Hospital of Beuthen (Prussian Poland), 1865:

Some years ago, a young Protestant woman, belonging to a troupe
of comedians, arrived in Beuthen with her company. The good God
permitted that she should find lodgings in a Catholic family,
with whom she soon essayed a controversy. "Mademoiselle," said
the master of the house, "it would be better for you to go see
the Sisters about these things; the Blessed Virgin has wrought
wonders in their establishments, I am sure you would return
fully enlightened on the subject you have been discussing."
The young girl laughed at such a proposition; but a few days
after, impelled by curiosity, she repaired to the hospital
and asked for the Sister-Servant. "Invite her in," said the
latter, who had already heard of the young actress; "no doubt,
the Blessed Virgin has something in store for her here." After
a few formalities of etiquette, our visitor introduced the
subject of religion, and attempted to enter into a controversy
with the Sister. "Alas! Mademoiselle," replied the latter, "the
poor Daughters of Charity have neither the time nor learning
necessary for a discussion of these subtle questions, but they
have other arms with which to vanquish you;" and, smiling, she
presented her disputant a little medal of the Blessed Virgin.
"Promise me to wear this slight souvenir, it will be a constant
reminder that we are praying for you." She allowed the Sister
to put the medal on her neck, and retired rather pleased with
her visit.

From this day, the Sisters at the hospital began to recommend
the young actress to Mary conceived without sin. Not many
weeks after, the curé said to the Sister-Servant: "Do you
know, Sister, that Mademoiselle M., who spent the most of
her time promenading with gentlemen and smoking cigars, now
comes to me for religious instruction? In a little while she
will make her abjuration." And, indeed, it was not very long
before she repaired to the hospital. "Sister," said she to the
Sister-Servant, "I am going to confession to-day, and to-morrow
I make my First Communion. On my first visit here, I was
enraged at you. I could have fought you, and cast to the winds
this medal that I now kiss. From the very moment you put it on
my neck, an unaccountable change was wrought in me." Next day,
the church was filled with Protestants and Jews, all anxious
to witness a ceremony which had excited so much comment. After
her reception into the Church, the young convert, on the eve of
her departure, paid another visit to the Sister Servant, and
the latter saw by her very countenance what great changes grace
had wrought in this soul. "Well," said the Sister, just to try
her, "here is a silver medal to replace yours which has become
very black." "Oh, no," was the earnest, prompt reply, as she
tenderly pressed her own medal, "I would not exchange this for
any other in the world, for it is since I began to wear it my
soul has awaked to a new life."

Some years later, the Sister received a letter dated from
Rome, it was from the young convert, who wrote to her as
follows: "Sister, Providence has led me to Rome, and it is no
longer Mlle. M. you must address, but Sister St.---- of the B.
convent. Your desires are accomplished; I now belong entirely
to God, as I once did to the world; the Blessed Virgin
vanquishes souls with other arms than those of controversy."

We must add, to the praise of the young actress, that her moral character was always irreproachable.

The Superioress of the hospital at Beuthen, in narrating these facts, adds: "I could mention, for the greater glory of God and honor of the Immaculate Mary, numberless incidents of this kind, but lack of time and my weak eyes prevent my giving the details. I will say, however, and that without the slightest exaggeration, that not a week passes but the Blessed Virgin bestows upon our patients at the hospital some new proof of her maternal bounty. The medal, so dear to us, is really miraculous, and the instrument by which we snatch from destruction souls that have cost Our Lord so much. Ah! how numberless, in this unhappy land, the snares of the enemy of our salvation to entrap souls; but to vanquish him, I everywhere circulate the Miraculous Medal (you know what numbers we get), and my confidence in Mary is never deceived."

CONVERSION OF A PROMINENT FREE MASON.

_New Orleans (United States), 1865._

Among the patients at the great Charity hospital, New Orleans,
was a very prominent Free Mason. His hatred of religion was
displayed in a thousand ways; not only did he interdict the
Sister who nursed him any allusion to his salvation, but
he even habitually repaid by harsh and injurious words her
kindness and attention to his physical sufferings. If others
ventured to mention the subject of religion to him, they were
received with jeers and banters. Several times was he at
the point of death, and yet, sad to relate, his dispositions
remained the same. At last, when the Sister saw that he had but
a few hours to live, she stealthily slipped a Miraculous Medal
under his bolster, and said interiorly to the Blessed Virgin:
"My dear Mother, you know I have spared no effort to touch this
poor man's heart, but in vain; now I abandon him to you, it
is you who must save him; I leave him entirely in your hands,
and shall try to divest myself of all anxiety concerning him."
That evening, in making her rounds, she glances at him and
learns from the infirmarian that ever since her (the Sister's)
last visit, he had been very calm and apparently absorbed in
thought. On inquiring of the patient himself how he felt, she
was astonished at his polite answer, but remembering that she
had entrusted him entirely to the Blessed Virgin's care, she
did not venture a word about his soul, and bidding him good
night, she left the room.

About nine o'clock, he called the infirmarian, and asked for a
priest; knowing his former bitterness, the infirmarian thought
it a joke and treated it accordingly; the patient repeated his
request, but with no better success. Then he began to weep
and cry aloud for a priest; all the other patients were mute
with astonishment, and the infirmarian unable to resist such
entreaties went for the chaplain and the Sister. The dying
man requested Baptism, which was administered immediately, as
well as Extreme Unction, and before morning he had rendered
his account to the Sovereign Judge. His body was interred with
Masonic rites, but his soul, thanks to the powerful protection
of Mary Immaculate, had been carried by angels to the bosom of
its God.

CONVERSION OF A SICK PROTESTANT.

_New Orleans (United States)._

At the same hospital in New Orleans, a Sister for a long time
had vainly endeavored to convince a Protestant of the most
essential truths of religion, that he might receive Baptism,
but he was deaf to all her persuasions. One day she showed him
a Miraculous Medal, and related its origin. He appeared to
listen somewhat attentively, but when she offered it to him,
"Take it away," said he, in a tone of great contempt, "this
Virgin is no more than any other woman." "I am going to leave
it on your table," was the Sister's reply, "I am sure you will
reflect on my words." He said nothing, but to put it out of
sight, placed his bible over it. Every day, under the pretext
of arranging and dusting his room, the Sister assured herself
that the medal was still there. Several days elapsed, during
which the patient grew worse; one night, whilst lying awake
racked with suffering, he perceived a brilliant light around
his bed, though the rest of the room was enveloped in darkness.
Greatly astonished, he succeeded, in spite of his weakness, in
rising and turning up the gas, to discover if possible, the
cause of this mysterious light. Finding none, he returned to
bed, and a few minutes after, he perceived that the luminous
rays escaped from the medal. He then took it in his hands,
and kept it there the remainder of the night. As soon as the
Sisters' rising bell rang (which was four o'clock), he called
the infirmarian, and begged him to tell the Sister he desired
Baptism. The chaplain was immediately informed. "Impossible!"
he exclaimed, for having had frequent conversations with the
sick man, he was well aware of his sentiments, and could
scarcely believe him in earnest. Nevertheless, he obeyed the
summons, and finding the patient really disposed to profit by
his ministry, he administered the Last Sacraments, and shortly
after receiving which the poor man died, blessing God and the
Blessed Virgin for the graces bestowed upon him.

CONVERSION OF A PROTESTANT GIRL.

_New Orleans, (United States)._

A poor young Protestant girl, brought to our hospital to be
treated for a grave malady, had so great a horror of our holy
religion, that at the very sight of a Catholic near her,
she acted like one possessed. The presence of a Sister was
especially irritating, and one day she even went so far as to
spit in the Sister's face, but the latter, nothing dismayed,
and ever hoping that the God of all mercy would change this
wolf into a lamb, continued her kind attentions, the more
disrespectful her patient, the more gentle and considerate
the Sister. The latter was at last inspired with the thought
of slipping a Miraculous Medal between the two mattresses;
she acted upon the inspiration, and the following night the
Immaculate Mary's image became an instrument of salvation and
happiness to a guilty soul. Pitching and tossing upon her bed
by reason of a high fever, the patient, in some unaccountable
manner, found the medal, and the Sister's astonishment next
morning at seeing her clasping it in her hands, and covering
it with kisses, was second only to that she experienced on
perceiving the wonderful transformation grace had wrought in
this poor creature's soul. A supernatural light had revealed
to her the sad state of her conscience; her criminal life
filled her with horror, and, penetrated with regret for the
past, she sighed only for holy Baptism. After the necessary
instruction, she was baptized; and, during the remainder of her
sickness, which was long and tedious, her patience and fervor
never faltered. She persevered in these edifying sentiments,
until a happy death placed the seal upon the graces she had
received through the intercession of Mary Immaculate.

CONVERSION OF A PROTESTANT.

_New Orleans (United States)._

A Protestant gentleman had spent four years at the hospital,
sometimes in one hall, sometimes another. As his malady had
not been very serious, no one had considered it necessary to
speak to him concerning his soul. However, when his condition
became more aggravated, the Sister, after invoking the Blessed
Virgin's assistance, told him the physician considered his case
dangerous, and she thought he ought to receive Baptism, without
which no one could be saved. He listened attentively, then
turning to her, said: "Sister, if I were to ask you to become
a Protestant, would you comply with my request?" "No," was
the decided answer. "Well, then," he continued, "rest assured
that it is just as useless for you to attempt persuading me to
become a Catholic."

In spite of this positive refusal, she let no occasion pass
without enlightening him, were it ever so little, upon some
of the truths of religion. One day, showing him a Miraculous
Medal, she told him he would confer a great favor on her by
reciting the little invocation: "O Mary! conceived without
sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!" "What, Sister! a
Catholic prayer! that is impossible, I cannot!" She said no
more, but slipped the medal under his pillow, and there it
remained untouched for several days, during which time she
redoubled her attentions to the physical necessities of the
poor patient, who gradually grew weaker. At last, one evening
she said to him: "Well, Henry, are you not going to do what I
asked you?" "Yes, Sister, I most earnestly desire to become a
Catholic." The chaplain was called immediately; he had barely
time to administer Baptism and Extreme Unction, ere the dying
man's regenerated soul was carried by angels to the abode of
the blessed.

CONVERSION OF A YOUNG METHODIST.

_St. Louis (United States), 1865._

A young man, a Methodist, arrived at the hospital in an
extremely weak condition. The physician at once pronounced
his case hopeless, and said he had but a few days to live.
Consequently, the Sister's first care was for his soul.
Questioning him, she soon learned that he believed neither in
the efficacy nor necessity of Baptism, and all her efforts
to induce him to receive this Sacrament were unavailing. He
had no desire for any conversation on the subject, and his
invariable reply to all her arguments was: "I believe in Jesus,
that suffices; I am sure of being saved." The Sister redoubled
her prayers, for in them lay her only hope, and time was
precious. A good priest visited him every day; once, after a
much longer visit than usual, he told the Sister on leaving the
room it was impossible to do anything with that man, unless
God wrought a miracle in his favor, and they must entreat Him
to do so. The poor man persisted, indeed, in refusing all
spiritual succor, though receiving gratefully the attentions
bestowed upon his body. His strength diminished day by day,
and he calmly awaited death; one thought alone disquieted
him, that of never seeing his mother and dying afar from her.
Perceiving himself on the brink of the grave, he called one of
his companions whom he begged to be with him at that fearful
moment, and write the particulars of it to his mother. Whilst
he made this request, the Sister slipped a Miraculous Medal
under his pillow, confidently believing that Mary would not let
this soul entrusted to her perish; yet he was already in his
agony. Two Sisters watched beside his bed till midnight, when
obliged to retire, they left him in charge of an infirmarian
and the young man who had promised to be with him at the hour
of death. Apparently he had not more than half an hour to
live, so next morning when the infirmarian came to meet the
Sister, she was prepared for news of the patient's death, but
to her astonishment the infirmarian exclaimed: "Come Sister,
come see him, he is restored to life!" He then told her that
the patient, to all appearances, had been dead an hour; that
the friend and himself had rendered all the last duties to the
body, having washed and dressed and prepared it for the grave;
then the young man went to bed, and he alone remained with
the corpse. After watching near it some time, he approached
to bandage the jaws, but what was his fright whilst thus
engaged, to see the dead man open his eyes! The Sister heard
no more, but eagerly hastened to the spot, and found the man
still breathing. With a great effort he said: "Oh! what a
blessing that you have come!" In reply, she exhorted him to
receive Baptism, and told him that he was indebted to the
Blessed Virgin for this prolongation of his life. "I wish to
be baptized," said he, and when the Sister replied that the
priest would come, "Oh! that will be too late!" was his pitiful
answer. The other patients now joined their entreaties to his,
and the Sister, after reciting aloud the acts of faith, hope,
charity and contrition, which the dying man endeavored to
repeat, with hands clasped and eyes raised to Heaven, baptized
him. Whilst the regenerating waters flowed upon his soul,
transports of love and thanksgiving escaped his lips. Half
an hour later, he closed his eyes, never to open them here
below. All that the infirmarian related of his first death, was
confirmed in the most positive manner, by the Protestant friend
who had assisted in preparing him for the grave.

CONVERSION OF M. F----

_St. Louis, (United States)._

A Protestant named F---- was brought to our hospital in an
advanced stage of consumption. He detested the Catholic
religion most heartily, and received the Sisters' services
with extreme repugnance. His physical strength diminished
perceptibly, but his mind retained its energy and clearness.
By degrees, the odor escaping from his decayed lungs, became
so intolerable that all abandoned him. M. Burke, a missionary
priest and the Sisters, being the only persons who had the
courage to go near him, and pay any attention to his comfort.
Yet neither priest nor Sister dare mention religion. They
contented themselves with putting a Miraculous Medal under
his pillow, and invoking her, who so often deigns to display
her power in favor of those who deny it. She did not delay in
granting their petition. A few days later, as the Protestant
minister left the ward, after making his usual distribution of
tracts, the sick man said to the Sister, "Sister, it is done;
I am converted." "Ah," said the latter interiorly, "our good
Mother has accomplished her work." And it was indeed true; for
the patient requested a priest, was instructed, and in a few
days received the Sacraments of Baptism, the Holy Viaticum and
Extreme Unction, with inexpressible fervor. The very expression
of his countenance was changed; the happiness that inundated
his heart beaming from every feature. "Ah!" said he, "my
sufferings are great, but I feel that I am going to Heaven;
the truth has made me free." In these happy dispositions, he
expired, promising that in heaven he would pray for all who had
been instruments of his conversion.

CONVERSION OF AN UNBAPTIZED PATIENT.

_St. Louis, (United States)._