Chapter VI: Extraordinary Graces (6)

A patient brought to the hospital in a hopeless condition,
openly manifested his hatred of Catholicity. Yet, as he was in
imminent danger of death, the Sister, profiting by a moment in
which he seemed a little better disposed than usual, ventured
to ask him if he would be baptized; he answered roughly, "No,
that he scarcely believed in baptism, and not at all in
Catholic baptism, that in case of his recovery, perhaps he
would receive baptism by immersion, and become a member of some
church, but that would never be the Catholic Church." "At any
rate," added he, "I am not going to torment myself now about
such things." The poor Sister having no other resource than the
Blessed Virgin, and seeing that the young man approached his
end, stealthily slipped a medal under his pillow. Next morning
it was picked up by the infirmarian, who, thinking the Sister
had dropped it accidentally, was about to return it, but the
patient opposed him; the little image pleased his fancy, and he
wanted to keep it himself. To quiet him, the infirmarian was
obliged to ask Sister if the patient might have it. The request
was granted. Towards evening some one came to the Sister with a
message from the patient, he wished to see her. "Sister," said
he as soon as she approached, "you have told me I could not be
saved without Baptism; let me be baptized, for I wish to be
saved." Filled with joy at this news, she began to instruct and
prepare him for the ceremony. It took place next morning, and
during the course of the day, this soul, now the child of God,
went to repose in the bosom of its celestial Father, to bless
and thank Him for all eternity for His mercies.

CONVERSION OF A YOUNG GIRL.

_Buffalo (United States)._

A young Protestant girl about twenty years of age came to the
hospital, covered from head to foot with a disgusting itch,
which the physician pronounced incurable. The Sister who
dressed her sores, told her that the Blessed Virgin could
obtain her recovery, and would do so, if she wore the medal and
relied upon the Blessed Virgin's intercession. The poor girl
knowing her case was deemed hopeless by the physician, answered
bluntly: "I do not believe in your Blessed Virgin, and I want
no medal." "Very well," replied the Sister, "then you may keep
your sores." A few days after she asked for a medal herself,
put it on her neck, received instruction and was baptized, and
in a short time she left the hospital perfectly cured, greatly
to the astonishment of the physicians, who had all pronounced
her malady incurable.

CONVERSION OF A SINNER.

_Hospital of Gratz (Austria)._

An artist whose life had been far from edifying, was an
inmate of our hospital. One morning the Sister was greatly
surprised at his expressing a desire to confess. Perceiving
her astonishment, he said: "This morning, Sister, the chapel
door was slightly open, and from my bed I could see the Blessed
Virgin's statue." (It was that of the Immaculate Conception.)
"It appealed so strongly to my heart, that I have had no
peace since. I must put my conscience in order." He did go to
confession, not once, but several times, and he often expressed
great regret for his past life. "Ah!" he would say, "what a
life I have led, and how sad the state of my soul when Mary
came to my aid." When asked what he supposed had attracted
Mary's compassion, he answered: "I was merely looking at the
statue, no thought of religion was in my mind; when suddenly,
recollections of my past life filled me with fear, and Mary
at the same time inspired me with a horror for sin." In
this instance, repentance and reparation were the immediate
consequences of the Immaculate Mary's merciful and maternal
glance.

CONVERSION OF A GREEK SCHISMATIC.

_Hospital of Gratz (Austria.)_

A Greek schismatic, attacked by a mortal malady, was brought to
the hospital. He declared his intention of remaining attached
to the errors in which he had been educated, and the Sisters,
seeing his determination, entrusted him to the Blessed Virgin,
consecrating him to her by placing under his pillow a medal,
which for him proved truly miraculous. One day, a Franciscan
Father visited the sick, and the young man asked the Sister
to bring the good Father to see him. He conversed a long time
with the latter, but manifested no intention of becoming a
Catholic. Meanwhile, he grew worse, and, one day, when taken
with a hemorrhage, he asked for this Father, "because," said
he, "I wish to embrace the Catholic religion." The Sister
was surprised, for she had said nothing to persuade him, but
the Blessed Virgin had accomplished her work without earthly
assistance. He confessed and made his abjuration; he even
requested the Reverend Father to announce, in a loud voice, to
the other patients that he entered the Church of his own free
will. His attacks of vomiting made the priest hesitate to give
him the Holy Viaticum, but he insisted so strongly, and had so
ardent a desire to receive, that the good God permitted these
spells of vomiting to become less frequent, so that he could
make his first and last Communion at the same time, which he
did with inexpressible fervor and consolation. Interrogated on
the subject of his conversion, he answered: "For a long time I
felt that everything earthly was of little value, and I sought
for the true and lasting." During the delirium of his last
moments, he spoke continually of a white robe. The grace of
Baptism had clothed his soul in spotless raiment, and to Mary's
intercession was he indebted for it.

CONVERSION OF AN APOSTATE.

_Austria, 1866._

In one of the prisons confided to the care of the Daughters of
Charity, was a young man belonging to a respectable Catholic
family, whose shame and disgrace he had become. After a short
stay, he fell sick, and his condition necessitated removal
to the infirmary; faithful to his principles of impiety, he
absolutely refused all spiritual succor, and whenever he saw
one of the chaplains pass, he either turned away his head or
concealed it under the bedclothes. All the Sisters begged the
Superioress to make one last effort for his soul. She paid him
a visit, and was received politely, but to rid himself of her
importunity, he avowed himself a Protestant, and related how
he came to forsake the Faith, after making the acquaintance
of several very bad characters, his companions in crime and
his counselors in advising him to become a Protestant. The
Sister asked him if he felt no remorse for such conduct, but
he became enraged and exclaimed aloud: "I am a Protestant, and
I wish to live and die a Protestant!" Seeing it impossible
to do anything with the miserable creature, she interiorly
recommended him to the Refuge of Sinners, and merely asked him
to accept the medal she offered, to wear it and sometimes kiss
it. He seemed quite pleased to get rid of her so easily, and
placing all her confidence in Mary, she withdrew.

The poor man passed a sleepless night, our Blessed Mother
touched his heart, and very early next morning he sent word
to the Sister that he wanted a priest to receive his solemn
profession of Faith, in reparation of his scandalous apostasy
and crimes. But his reputation was such that the prison
chaplain doubted his sincerity, and would not go to him except
upon repeated solicitations of the Superioress. He was deeply
affected at witnessing the change grace had wrought in this
soul, and the consequent compunction with which the prodigal
confessed his sins. The dying man then made a public abjuration
of his errors, and expired a few minutes after, in the grace of
God and under the protecting smile of Mary.

CONVERSION OF A SOLDIER AT THE HOSPITAL OF CAVA.

_Cava, (Italy), 1866._

A young soldier suffering from disease of the chest, was
brought to the Military Hospital of Cava. His first question
was to ask if the Sisters had charge of that hospital; on
receiving an affirmative answer, he said to himself: "They will
bother me about going to confession, so I shall call myself a
Jew to get rid of them," and Jew he was designated on the card
of admission. Perceiving the serious nature of his malady, the
Sisters to whose especial care he had been confided, visited
him as often as possible. One of them offered him a medal
of the Immaculate Conception; regarding it with a smile of
pity, he said: "I accept it, because it would not be polite
to refuse, but believe me, I consider it a mere plaything and
nothing more."

Every time the chaplain visited the hall, to speak a word of
consolation to one and another, the poor Jew covered his head.
The Sister sometimes ventured a few words to him about the good
God, but he would never reply, and her approach was the signal
for his feigning sleep. One evening when he appeared worse than
usual, two Sisters went to see him just before they retired
for the night. On hearing them approach, he exclaimed: "O
Sister, a priest!" The chaplain was immediately summoned to his
bedside, the poor dying man repeating all the while: "A priest!
a priest!" As soon as the chaplain came, the patient made his
profession of Faith in a very audible voice; he then confessed,
and just as the priest, in administering Extreme Unction, was
anointing the ears, the penitent rendered his soul to God,
leaving us the consoling hope that it had found mercy in its
Maker's sight.

CONVERSION OF A WOUNDED SOLDIER.

_Palermo (Italy), 1866._

In 1866, at the Military Hospital of Palermo, was a poor man
who had just undergone the amputation of his left arm. His
impiety was so great, that the Sister felt constrained to
remove a large crucifix that had been placed near his bed, for
he covered it with invectives. The miserable man's bodily
infirmities were as hopeless as his spiritual, yet no one could
succeed in inducing him to give any attention to his soul, or
even to listen to a word about the good God. What could be done
in such an extremity? The poor Sister was in great distress,
when one day whilst dressing his wounds she was inspired to
slip a medal of the Immaculate Conception between the bandages
around the stump of the amputated member. Next morning, on
witnessing the great change that had been wrought in her
patient's spiritual condition during the night, she was less
astonished than happy, for she had confidently relied upon the
Blessed Virgin. He asked for a priest, who came immediately;
he confessed, publicly repaired the scandals of his past life,
and received with piety the Holy Viaticum and Extreme Unction.
His few remaining days were spent in blessing that God who had
shown him such boundless mercy. "Oh! how good God is!" did
he repeat incessantly to his companions, "I have committed
manifold sins and He has pardoned me all!"

CURE OF AN AUSTRIAN OFFICER.

_Hospital of Gratz (Austria), 1867._

An officer in the garrison at Gratz, suffered from a serious
wound in the right arm. He was brought to the general hospital,
that he might be more conveniently under the especial treatment
of M. Rzehazeh, a very eminent surgeon. The latter exhausted
all his skill, but in vain, and after a few weeks he saw the
necessity of amputation to save the officer's life. Learning
the doctor's decision, the patient was deeply grieved, and
his oppressed heart sought refuge in piety. He who had never
spoken of God, who had accepted a proffered medal only from
courtesy, now appeared to experience a genuine satisfaction
when the Sisters told him they would implore the Blessed Virgin
in his behalf. During the few days immediately preceding the
operation, he felt inspired with a great confidence in his
medal, and frequently repeated the invocation engraven upon it:
"O Mary! conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse
to thee!" The danger was now imminent, and the amputation,
which must not be delayed, was to take place on the morrow. One
of the Sisters, perceiving that the young officer's confidence
expressed itself in continual prayer, suggested that evening
that he lay the medal upon his afflicted arm, and let it remain
all night, a suggestion which was joyfully received. Next
morning she hastened to ascertain her patient's condition, and
get the medal. He had spent a quiet night, his sufferings being
less severe than usual; and the Sister, whilst attributing his
improvement to the anodynes prescribed, understood full well
that the precious medal had also been instrumental in procuring
relief, and that Mary had looked compassionately upon him;
but she did not yet realize the full extent of the blessing.
The surgeon came a few hours after, and whilst awaiting his
assistants, he carefully examined the wounded arm, he touched
it, he probed it, and to his great astonishment, perceived that
amputation was not necessary. The other doctors on arriving,
confirmed his opinion of this surprising change. The officer
was mute with happiness, and not until he found himself alone
with the chief surgeon did he impart to the latter, as a
secret, his opinion as to the cause of this wonderful change.
On leaving him, the surgeon (notwithstanding the injunction
of secrecy), could not refrain from saying to the Sister: "I
believe the Sisters of Charity have engaged the good God in
this case."

The officer's arm was entirely healed; a few weeks later he
left the hospital, taking with him the precious medal as a
memento of gratitude and love for Mary Immaculate.

* * * * *

CONVERSION OF M. N---- AT LIMA.

Letter from a Daughter of Charity in Lima (Peru), 1876:

M. N---- had been suffering a long time from hypertrophy of
the heart, the physicians having vainly exhausted all the
resources of their skill, were forced to tell the family that
he was beyond the power of human aid, and should look to the
state of his soul, sad news for this father of a family, and a
man devoid of religion. In vain did his relatives and friends,
with all possible delicacy, endeavor to turn his thoughts to
religion and induce him to receive the Sacraments; he would
hear nothing on the subject; a priest, who was an intimate
friend of the family, attempted to second their efforts, but he
met with no better success; the sick man became exasperated at
all allusions to religion, he blasphemed everything relating to
it, sparing not even the Blessed Virgin.

One day, after listening to an account of the conversion of
M.----, of Lima, our patient's relatives expressed a desire
of having recourse to similar means for their dear one's
conversion. "It is very simple," said the person addressed,
"you have only to ask Sister N., of St. Anne's Hospital for a
medal, she got one for M. Pierre, she will not refuse you."
One of his nephews immediately repaired to the hospital and
returned with a medal. A niece offered it to him; "Mamma,"
said she, "sends you this medal and begs that you will wear
it." "Certainly," was the reply, "I will wear it for her sake,
but I want everybody to understand that I have no notion of
confessing."

He spent a quiet night, and was quite pleased next morning to
find himself somewhat better. "Euloge," said he, to one of his
nephews, "what preparation should a person make who intends
taking a long journey?" Euloge, who thought he certainly
must be in a dream to hear his uncle speak thus, inquired
to what journey he alluded. "Ah!" was the answer, "I speak
of Eternity." The poor young man, delighted at such a happy
change, replied that the best preparation was to put one's
conscience in order by making a good confession. "I will do so,
send me a priest," said his uncle. As soon as the clergyman
arrived and heard his confession, he administered the Holy
Viaticum. All the assistants were overcome with emotion when
they saw the sick man, almost in his last agony, supported by
his children, to receive on bended knee, the God who had just
pardoned all the sins of his life. A few moments after, he
blessed his children, gave them his parting counsel, and died
in sentiments of piety rivaling his past irreligion. His family
was deeply grateful to Mary Immaculate for this token of her
favor.

CONVERSION OF AN UNBELIEVER.

Letter from a Sister of Charity in Lima, Peru, 1877:

An old lady whose youth had been pious, having lost her Faith
by reading bad books, had not frequented the Sacraments for
thirty-five years. The Sister with whom she lived was carried
to her grave, after an illness of only five days, and it was
natural to suppose that the Christian death of one so dear
would have softened her heart; on the contrary, it embittered
her the more, and she vented her grief in blasphemies. A
Sister of Charity witnessing this scandal, and not being able
to soothe the poor creature, was inspired with the thought
of giving her a medal of the Blessed Virgin; the old lady
accepted, and wore it for several days, during which she
appeared greatly pre-occupied, and somewhat less confident in
her scepticism; but having yielded to a diabolical suggestion,
that urged her to lay the medal aside, doubtless because grace
tormented her conscience with keen remorse whilst the medal
was on her person, she fell back into an habitual hardness
and melancholy that she styled peace. The Sister perceived
this, and inquired if she still wore the medal; on receiving
a negative answer, our good Sister represented the danger
to which her soul was exposed without it, and the old lady
promised to put it on again. Many prayers were offered up
for her, and at the end of fifteen days, the Sister, who was
greatly interested in this poor woman's soul, paid her another
visit; perceiving no change in her sentiments, she inquired
immediately if the medal had been resumed. The poor woman, who
was very uncouth, dared not speak, but made a sign with her
head which revealed all. "What have you done with it, and where
is it?" asked the Sister. The old lady replied that it was in
her wardrobe, and she had made several ineffectual efforts to
put it on again. The Sister understands that this miserable
soul is under some diabolical influence, holding her aloof from
aught calculated to reclaim her to God; she feels that now
is the moment for prompt action, and in a tone of severity,
says: "Very well, since you will not wear the medal, I abandon
you entirely." These words produced the desired effect; the
old lady ran to the wardrobe, and taking up the medal, put it
around her neck this time to remain. Soon experiencing the
sweet and powerful influence of Mary Immaculate, so justly
called the Gate of Heaven, in a few days she assisted at the
Holy Sacrifice and listened to the instruction, and from that
time was entirely changed; she confessed and made her Easter
Communion, and the deepest compunction and gratitude are now
the abiding sentiments of her heart. She wished to remain
at the church door, feeling herself unworthy to penetrate
further into the sacred edifice, and it was with the greatest
difficulty her friends could prevail upon her to accept a place
nearer the altar. She never ceases to thank God and Mary; and
she told the Sister that, from the moment the medal was on her
neck, she knew neither peace nor rest till she had returned to
her duties, so great are the power and love of that Virgin who
is the sovereign Terror of demons.

CONVERSION OF A SCANDALOUS SINNER.

_Moirans, 1877._

The Superioress of the Sisters of Charity at Moirans, relates as follows a very consoling conversion, redounding to the glory of Mary Immaculate:

"The most important manufacturer of our village, who employed
from four to five hundred men and women, has just died, and
contrary to all expectations, his death was penitent and
consoling. He had been impious and immoral, and the profligate
characters in his workshops were a curse to the surrounding
country. His rudeness was such, that everybody trembled before
him. His wife and two daughters, pious Christians, silently
bewailed his misconduct; and as for myself, I had barely
sufficient acquaintance with him to render justifiable my
calling upon him in any urgent need.

"One morning I received a message in great haste; this person
was very sick and wished to see me. I went at once, but the
disease was of so serious a character and its progress so
rapid, that I saw the poor man on the verge of the grave ere
I could find a means of turning his thoughts to eternity.
I had told his wife and daughters to give him a medal of
the Immaculate Conception, but he refused to accept it, and
we were reduced to the necessity of stealthily putting it
under his pillow. On the third day, as I was about to leave,
after rendering him all the care and attention in my power,
he wished, in the effusion of his gratitude, to shake hands
with me. I profited by the opportunity to tell him how much
pleasure he could give me by consenting to receive the curé,
who had just come to see him. He made a sign in the affirmative
and with a smile that very rarely parted his lips. We went
out of the room, leaving him alone with the priest, whom he
had welcomed cordially. In half an hour the latter returned
blessing God, for the sick man had made his confession. He
now consented to wear the medal, and that evening he received
Extreme Unction, but not the Holy Viaticum, as he had spells
of suffocation. I asked his wife to let his employees see him,
that they might be edified at their patron's conduct. The
request was granted, but not many came, as the workshops were
closed at this hour; those who did come, prayed a few minutes
beside him. Next morning his family was greatly rejoiced at his
apparent physical improvement, but their hopes were deceived,
and very soon his last agony began. He was recommended to
the prayers of the parish; the whole village manifested a
touching interest in his condition, and his employees all came
to see him. The throng around the dying man was renewed every
quarter of an hour, and we recited the _Chaplet_ aloud, a most
appropriate devotion for this occasion, the last moments of
one whom the Blessed Virgin had snatched from eternal misery.
Amidst this concert of praises to Mary, he expired. The
Christian Brothers, to whom he had been very hostile, willingly
aided us in rendering to him the last duties of religion."