These details are confirmed by two letters of Madame and Mademoiselle

Joubert, by the testimony of the Superior of the Daughters of Charity

of Limoges, and that of M. Dumonteil, a lawyer and friend of the family.

CONVERSIONS AND CURES WROUGHT IN SWITZERLAND.

Letter from Sister Boubat, Superioress of the Daughters of Charity in

Chesne:

"_February 12, 1835._

"I have not great miracles to recount to-day, but the facts I give

are certainly very striking traits of protection. However, I shall

tell them just as they are, and let you judge of them for yourself.

Those of which I was not an eye-witness have been told me by very

reliable parties who were.

"1st. A woman who had been sick a long time, and given up by the

doctors, received, one evening, the Miraculous Medal, and was

restored to her usual health that night; feeling perfectly well,

she said to her husband next morning that she would get up and

prepare breakfast. He treated this as nonsense, and when she really

did arise, his astonishment was great, and beyond all bounds when

he found that her health was fully restored.

"2d. In the same village, a young mother had two children, one six

the other eight years old. The latter was attacked by a violent

malady, described to me as a convulsion, and died in a few days.

The younger had a similar attack, and seemed on the verge of death.

The poor mother was in the depths of grief, when some one thought

of offering her a medal. She received it as a treasure. It was

evening; she put it on the dying child, who soon fell asleep, and

slept soundly the whole night. In the morning he awoke perfectly

cured! This good woman afterwards came to me to get medals for

herself and some others. Oh! I wish you could have seen her as she

wept for joy whilst expressing to me, with all simplicity, the

transports of her soul! Never will I forget it, so deep was the

impression it made upon me.

"3d. A child five years old had been racked for several months by a

fever, which resisted all efforts to check it. One day, he was in

his grandmother's arms when the paroxysm began. This woman, full of

faith, applied the medal; the child soon grew better, and the fever

never troubled him again.

"The attending physician was a relation; on seeing him after this,

the child ran towards him, exclaiming with all the animation and

artlessness of his age: 'I am cured, but it was not you who cured

me, it was the medal.' He repeats these words nearly every time he

sees the doctor.

"4th. A young man, on his death-bed, filled all his friends with

serious apprehensions for his salvation. After several vain efforts

of the most charitable zeal, the curé induced him to accept a

medal, and very soon the dying man expressed a wish to confess. He

expired in the most edifying dispositions.

"5th. Three sinners obstinately refused to assist at the exercises

of a mission given in their parish, and even sought to oppose it.

One of the missionaries persuaded them to accept a medal, and as

soon as they had received it, a great change was visible. They

not only made the mission, most devoutly, but became its zealous

advocates.

"I get these details from a very venerable curé, who gave them to

me himself.

"6th. There came to me recently a woman from the neighboring

mountainous district, who said without any previous explanation:

'You cured one of my daughters whom all the physicians had given

up; I now wish you to give me the same thing.' I tried at once to

recollect what medicines I had prescribed, and asked question after

question concerning the nature of the malady, so as to know what

remedy I had dispensed. After puzzling my brain to discover, she

told me it was a piece, thus suddenly reminding me that I had given

a medal to a young woman from that place, who came to consult me

about her failing health. To verify the fact, I sent word for the

young woman to come to see me.

"I pass over in silence a multitude of other events which, without

being termed miracles, are none the less real graces; and in my

eyes one most precious and great grace for us is, that the Blessed

Virgin deigns to make use of our poor little house to propagate

devotion to her. Oh! if you could see these good mountaineers

of every age and sex come with the greatest confidence and most

touching simplicity, asking for _na médaillot_--a medal. It has

affected me deeply, and I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude

to our tender and Immaculate Mother.

"Even Protestants have asked us for these medals, and I am

assured it was with perfect sincerity. The pastors in Savoy are

also very zealous in propagating this devotion to Mary. Since

reading the notice, they have mentioned it from the pulpit to

their parishioners, many of whom have, in consequence, procured

the medal. Likewise, do we see young men about to enter the army

fortify themselves with it, and persons undertaking a voyage

wearing it as their safeguard; indeed, every one has recourse to it

as the universal remedy for soul and body."

CURE OF SISTER HYACINTHE, A RELIGIOUS OF CALVARY.

It is the Mother General of the Community who has given us these

details. Her letter is dated February 7th, 1835.

"I am overwhelmed with joy; our poor patient is perfectly cured

by virtue of the Miraculous Medal. I could say our patients,

for our prayers were offered both for the paralytic and that

young person whom I told you had been sick eleven months;

she was able to remain out of bed only a few hours each day;

whenever she could go to Mass, and that was rarely, she had to

be assisted, and the support of an arm was necessary when she

approached the Holy Table. Since Thursday she walks alone and

eats without experiencing the slightest symptom of her former

infirmity, except a little weakness. I hope the Lord will

finish His work and restore her to perfect health; but let us

speak of our dear Sister.

"The following is a copy of the account I wrote of this marvel

to our holy Bishop day before yesterday, after Mass:

"'I acquaint Your Grace with an incident of God's great mercy,

displayed to our Community in the sudden cure of one of our

choir religious, named Hyacinthe, aged forty-seven years.

This good Mother, the 14th of last January, had a stroke of

paralysis. It did not affect her head, but immediately fixed

itself in the left side, which became motionless and devoid

of feeling. We hastened to summon the physician, who bled

her freely in the arm; next day we tried leeches, medicines,

a blister on the neck, and three days after one upon the

paralyzed limb, but all of no avail. The poor patient, as well

as ourselves, must submit to the decrees of Him who strikes

and heals at will. At the end of fifteen days I was inspired

with the thought of making a novena in honor of the Immaculate

Conception, the medal of which, called the miraculous, we all

wear. On the fourth day of the novena, as we were about to

recite the prayers around her bed, the good Mother desired Holy

Communion. She was taken to the choir by three persons; after

receiving, the limb felt a little better, and she could return

with the aid of two persons only. Her confidence in the Mother

of God increased daily; yesterday she asked permission to come

down on the last day of the novena, and this morning, with the

assistance of a cane and some one to support her, she came down

and had the happiness of receiving Holy Communion. Immediately

after, we finished the novena prayers, just at the end of which

she was seized with a pain in the paralyzed arm, followed by an

icy chill and then a sensation of extreme heat. She came to me

with both arms lifted, exclaiming, "I am cured!" And perfectly

cured she was, being able to walk and use her limbs as freely

as if she had never felt a symptom of paralysis.

"'To give you an idea of our joy and gratitude, Monseigneur,

would be impossible. The patient fainted, and I came very near

doing the same; it was with difficulty I could continue our

prayers of thanksgiving, so marvelous did it seem that the Lord

should have granted this favor to our Community, under the

government of one of His most unworthy servants.'

"I send you this copy, which we had kept, of the letter.

"In the same letter I asked Monseigneur's permission to have

a _Te Deum_ chanted at the end of Benediction. His Grace

hastened to send word that he not only permitted but ordered

it, which order was joyfully complied with. The Vicar General,

our Superior, wrote, asking me to defer our Vespers half an

hour, as he wished to assist at the _Te Deum_. Several other

ecclesiastics also came, and saw our healed ones blessing God.

Since that day our good Mother Hyacinthe follows the rules,

complies with all her duties, and has never felt the least

return of her malady.

"This miracle created great excitement in our city; the

laborers who were working at the house having learned it on

the spot, immediately spread the news; the evening previous,

they had seen our poor Sister dragging her limb, a cane in

hand, and almost carried by two persons, and next morning they

beheld her perfectly cured! These men, who have seldom much

religion, sang the praises of God's power, and asked me to

give them medals. I gave a medal to each with great pleasure.

Clergymen have come to learn the particulars of this event, and

I let the miraculously cured herself recount the wonders of the

Lord.

"I must not omit informing you that the physician having vainly

exhausted all remedies, had been nine days without seeing the

patient; and the very eve of her recovery he told one of our

boarders that the disease having settled itself he believed

our afflicted one might be able to walk, but she could never

use her arm again. On coming next day to visit his other

patients, he was surprised beyond expression when she appeared

before him perfectly cured. Wishing to get his candid opinion

on the subject, I remarked that probably it was not real

paralysis, but only a numbness. 'It was a strongly marked case

of paralysis,' he answered, 'and there is certainly something

supernatural in her recovery.'

"In thanksgiving we continue the novena prayers, but preface

them with the _Laudate_.

"Make such use of this letter as you may deem advisable. If

you insert it in the notice, you are at liberty to name our

city and house. Oh! how we long to spread abroad the knowledge

and love of God's power, signally displayed in answer to our

invocation of the Immaculate Mother of His Divine Son.

"SISTER ST. MARIE,

"_Superioress of Calvary of Orleans_."

CURE OF MADAME LEBON (DIJON).

NOTE.--"The venerable lady upon whom this cure was wrought

belongs to a highly honorable family of Dijon, and her personal

character is very well calculated to inspire the utmost confidence,"

says _L'Ami de la Religion_, in its issue of April 17th, 1835.

Moreover, the letter she wrote, March 12th, to one of her friends, and

which she was anxious should be transmitted to us, is accompanied by

the certificates of the pastors of St. Michael of Dijon, of Dampierre

and Beaumont-sur-Vingeanne, also of five members of the municipal

council, and several other very reliable persons, some of them members

of her family; more than this, it is followed by a detailed account

given by the medical attendant, who had charge of her case for sixteen

years.

"_Dijon, March 12, 1835._

"_Madame and Dear Friend_:

"You ask me the details of the miraculous manner in which it

has pleased God to restore me to health. Well! it might be

summed up in these few words: I implored Mary to obtain my

recovery, and she did obtain it instantly; having said this,

you know all, but you desire me to recall the circumstances of

my sickness and my experience subsequent to the cure. I give

them as follows:

"You doubtless remember that, for more than twenty years, I

could not walk, in consequence of an abscess on the intestines,

which left me in such a state of sensibility that ever after a

walk of more than a hundred steps I was exposing myself to the

most serious accidents. Neither are you ignorant of the fact

that, nearly fifteen months ago, by reason of influenza, a

second abscess formed, and so increased the irritability that I

hovered between life and death, and even when at my best I was

scarcely able to drag myself from one room to another. But you

have probably never heard that, since the 1st of last December,

my condition was so critical that, with great difficulty, could

I remain out of bed three or four hours at a time, which made

me, as well as those around me, think my end was near and I

would not survive the spring.

"This was my condition, dear friend, when some one mentioned

to me the medal of the Immaculate Virgin, and urged me to get

it. I was a long time deciding to do so, for I considered it

presumptuous to solicit the cure of an infirmity the physicians

had pronounced incurable. At last, having thought, on the one

side, that the more desperate the malady, the greater God's

glory should He deign to cure it; and, on the other, that He

had wrought the most wonderful miracles for those who were

least worthy, I decided to mention it to my confessor. I did

so, and he encouraged me to make the novena.

"The 2d of February, Feast of the Purification, the first

day of the novena and one ever memorable for me, I was taken

to church in a carriage; my daughter, sole confidante of my

intentions, assisted me to the Blessed Virgin's altar, where,

after hearing Mass as well as my infirmity would permit, I

received Holy Communion. Scarcely had I knelt to make an act

of adoration, when I was obliged to take my seat. A Sister of

Charity, whom I did not know was there, for I had not hoped to

receive the medal just yet, put it on my neck. Immediately,

I got on my knees to beg the Mother of the afflicted to

intercede with her divine Son for the restoration of my health,

should He foresee that it would be conducive to God's glory and

her honor, to my salvation and the happiness of my husband and

children. Scarcely had I pronounced a few words, petitioning

our Lord to graciously hear His holy Mother's prayer, ere Mary

had interceded and God in His great mercy had hearkened; I was

cured, Madame, entirely cured.... I finished all the prayers

of thanksgiving after Communion and those of the novena on my

knees, and, without experiencing the slightest inconvenience,

my malady had disappeared and I have never felt the slightest

symptom of it since. I walked, unassisted, to the church door,

sent away the carriage and returned home on foot.

"I have given you a detail of the facts, but to express the

feelings that filled my heart on re-entering my house would be

impossible; my joy, my astonishment, were boundless; I could

hardly realize it myself. Cured in an instant! The thought was

overpowering! It seemed as if I must be in a dream, but my

husband's astonishment, my mother's, and that of the servants,

who, seeing the great change wrought in me, although they were

ignorant of the means, could not forbear exclaiming: 'But a

miracle must have been worked upon you!' convinced me that I

was not asleep.

"Since that time I walk as well as any one; scarcely was my

novena finished ere I could go from one end of the city to the

other. It has not been six weeks since my cure, and I have

already walked more than three miles at a time, and could have

accomplished twice as much. You see, Madame and dear friend,

that the miracle is a most striking one.

"I now beg of you, as well as all other pious souls, to unite

heartily with me in thanking God and His august Mother.

"Your ever devoted

"ÉLIS. M. DARBEAUMONT LEBON."

The physician's certificate ends thus: "Whatever may have been the

cause of a cure, heretofore regarded as impossible by all the doctors

who attended Mme. Lebon, it should be considered none the less certain

and positive, for the evidence of the fact is indubitable.

"Wherefore, I sign the present attestation, which I declare sincere and

true.

"FOURNIER, Doctor.

"_Dampierre, March 19, 1835._"

CURES WROUGHT AT SMYRNA AND CONSTANTINOPLE.

Extract of a letter from M. Le Leu, Lazarist missionary:

"_Constantinople, March 16, 1835._

"It has been a long time since I proposed writing you something

about the medal. In my eyes, one of the greatest miracles it

has ever worked is the rapidity of its propagation and the

confidence it inspires. By our demands upon you for medals, you

may judge of their effect in this country. We could dispose

of thousands and yet not satisfy the innumerable calls we

have for them. At Smyrna, it is the same. We had occasion to

send a few into the interior of Asia, and the Blessed Virgin

showed herself no less powerful or beneficent there than in

Europe. At Angora, an old man was deprived of the use of all

his limbs, and had neither walked nor worked for years; he

lived in frightful poverty, and sighed for death, for he was

especially grieved at being so long a burden upon a family in

indigent circumstances. (In this country there are numbers of

Armenian families very devoted to the Blessed Virgin, and this

was one of them.) He had no sooner heard of the Miraculous

Medal, than he solicited the happiness of obtaining and wearing

it. In these countries the Faith has retained its primitive

simplicity; this recipient of a medal does not content himself

with praying before it, or hanging it around his neck, but he

kisses it with profound respect and applies it to the affected

part; the Blessed Virgin cannot resist such confidence, and the

good old man instantly recovers the use of his limbs--he now

works and supports himself.

"Here is another incident: A young woman belonging to a

respectable and very pious family had, for a long time, been

a prey to a disease, the nature of which neither the French,

Greek nor Turkish physicians could understand. Its symptoms

were most violent pains in the side, which prevented her

walking, eating or sleeping, and which sometimes disappeared,

only to return with renewed violence. Having heard of our

medal, this lady felt interiorly urged to employ it for her

recovery, but believing herself unworthy of obtaining a direct

miracle, she besought the Blessed Virgin to enlighten the

physician and make known to him the proper remedy. Thereupon,

she went to the country. At the end of several days, she was

astonished to see her physician, who exclaimed as soon as he

saw her: 'Madame, good news! I have found the remedy for your

disease. I am sure of it; in a few days you will be perfectly

well. I do not know why it is, but your case has constantly

occupied my mind since your departure, and by a careful study

of it I have at last discovered the cause of the disease and

the manner of treating it.' The lady recognized at once that

this knowledge came from above, and she had not implored Mary

in vain. To-day she is in excellent health. It was from the

mouth of her mother I received these details. 'O Monsieur,'

exclaimed this good mother, 'how happy I am at my poor

daughter's recovery! It is the Blessed Virgin who has restored

her to me. If you could only get me a few more of these medals;

I am overwhelmed with requests for them.' The physician himself

published the details I have just given. So persuaded is he of

the efficacy of the medal that he calls it his final remedy,

and advises his patients to wear it whenever he is at a loss

concerning their malady. And the Blessed Virgin has rewarded

his faith; for one of his own daughters, a most pious person,

but in miserable health, has just experienced its beneficial

effects.

"I could mention numberless other incidents, as many

conversions as cures, but one more will suffice for to-day.

Not long ago the mother of a family had every symptom of an

attack of apoplexy; she had already lost consciousness, when

her son, a very pious young man, who wore one of these medals,

took it off his neck and put it around hers. He then ran for a

doctor and a priest. On reaching the house they were all three

astonished to find that she had quite recovered. That evening

the son asked his mother for the medal, and she returned it,

but a moment after was stricken with another attack. The

protection of the Blessed Virgin seemed to have been withdrawn

with this sign of her power. He immediately put the medal on

her neck again, this time to remain, and she has been well ever

since.

"Oh! do not delay, I beg you, in sending us the medals we have

asked of you."

CONVERSION AND CURE OF AN OLD MAN AT CASTERA-LES-BAINS.

NOTE.--These details are sent us and attested by M. Bellos,

clerk of registration at Auch, and by other very reliable persons.

"In the early part of March, 1835, an old man in the parish of

Castera-les-Bains (Gers), fell dangerously ill. The venerable

parish priest, M. Barère, hastened to visit him, hoping he

might persuade the poor creature to cast himself into those

arms that were extended on the cross for all sinners. Our

patient, who had not been to confession for long years,

received him like an infidel as he was, refused all religious

assistance, and ended by saying: 'M. curé, I would rather

lose my speech than comply with your wishes!' The charitable

pastor retiring, though very reluctantly, now thought of the

Miraculous Medal he wore, and, taking it off, gave it to one

of the household with instructions to put it in the patient's

bed; advising, however, in case the ruse were discovered, no

allusion to the subject, so as to spare the unhappy one all

occasion of invective against religion. But, oh! marvelous

to relate! a little while after, the dying man awakens as if

from a profound slumber, and earnestly begs that the curé

be sent for to hear his confession. At this news, the good

pastor flies to his lost sheep, who receives him with every

expression of joy, begs his pardon, and asks to receive the

Sacrament of Penance. It would be superfluous for us to dwell

at length upon the sentiments and language of the charitable

minister of religion. He was so touched by his penitent's

dispositions, that he did not hesitate to take him the Holy

Viaticum next morning. Many of the faithful accompanied the

Blessed Sacrament to the sick man's chamber; confessing again,

he abjured his errors before all the assistants, and earnestly

entreated them to pardon the scandal his past conduct had

given them. Every one was affected to tears, and it was in

the midst of this universal emotion that he received the good

God, with the deepest sentiments of humility and compunction,

and recommending himself to the prayers of all present. In the

course of the following night, fearing he might be carried

off by a spell of weakness, he requested Extreme Unction, and

received it with the same evidences of faith and piety. This

conversion was followed by his perfect recovery, and the good

old man now blesses Divine Providence, which, through Mary's

protection, rescued him from the borders of a frightful abyss

into which his infidelity would have plunged him forever.

"The undersigned, who got these details from the mouth of

the curé of Castera, vouches for their authenticity. He has

neither added to nor taken from them in the slightest, knowing

full well that the Blessed Virgin has no need of falsehoods

to prove her power and goodness. It is, then, on his word of

conscience he gives this fact, which none of the inhabitants of

Castera and the neighboring country would deny, even were he

incredulous."

CURE OF ROSALIE MORVILLIERS, ACKNOWLEDGED AS MIRACULOUS BY ALL THE

PARISH.

"_Hangest_ (_Somme_).

"I have mentioned to you the cure wrought by the Miraculous

Medal upon a person aged fifty years; the fact is

incontestable. Rosalie Morvilliers, the recipient of this

favor, had never been free from suffering since her seventh

year; an affection of the nerves caused almost constant

palpitations of the heart and severe headaches, which, however,

did not hinder her performing some slight work without

aggravating the malady. But about five years ago, she was

afflicted by an unmistakable attack of epilepsy, which threw

her family into the greatest consternation. Henceforth, she was

obliged to keep her bed, and saw no one but her most intimate

friends; the very sight of a face that was not familiar was

sufficient to throw her into dreadful convulsions for several

hours. Independent of any external cause, these paroxysms

usually came on three times a day, and so violent were they,

that it was with great difficulty she could be kept in her

room; she uttered most frightful cries, her features were

horribly distorted, her mouth covered with foam, and, indeed,

according to the testimony of those who usually witnessed the

attacks, it was some time before she regained consciousness.

"Such was her condition when some one gave her a Miraculous

Medal. She received it with the greatest confidence, and

immediately applied it to that part of her head where the

pain was most acute; the pain disappeared immediately. From

that moment she felt urged to make a novena in honor of the

Immaculate Conception for the cure of her epilepsy. But

diffidence in mentioning the matter to her director made her

defer the execution of this pious design six weeks. At length,

she yielded to her desires, saying she felt fully persuaded

that this novena would ensure her recovery through the Blessed

Virgin's intercession, and her confidence was not misplaced.

The curé immediately began the novena, engaging in it the

sodality of the Holy Family. Whilst at Mass on the morning of

the last day, the 17th of Mary's month, the patient was seized

with the most violent attack possible, the worst she had ever

had, although during the novena, the paroxysms had increased

in intensity. Suddenly it ceases. A number of persons begin to

pray and recite the chaplet; the patient, regarding them with

a smile, gently falls asleep. A few minutes after, she opens

her eyes and exclaims: 'I am cured! I am cured! The Blessed

Virgin has just cured me of epilepsy! Oh! how good she is, how

powerful! It seems to me as if there had just been a general

revolution throughout my body. I feel confident, my friends,

that this disease has been banished from my system forever.'

"It was very easy for the assistants to believe that some

extraordinary change had really been wrought in her, for her

countenance presented not the slightest vestige of the attack.

She now desired to communicate, and oh! with what transports of

faith, gratitude and love she received the good God!

"The noise of this cure soon reached the neighboring villages.

How beautiful yet, Monsieur, is the simplicity of the faith in

these rural districts! Henceforth, every one wished to wear the

medal.

"This event took place on the 17th of May, at nine o'clock

in the morning. Since that time the patient has not felt the

slightest symptom of epilepsy. She leaves her room, walks about

the garden, and receives visitors indiscriminately, without

experiencing any ill effects. However, the Blessed Virgin

did not cure all her infirmities; she still has the nervous

affection that existed before the epileptic attacks, but I

should observe that as the novena was made solely for the cure

of epilepsy, the Blessed Virgin has obtained all that was asked

of her.

"This, Monsieur, is the exact statement. Some, no doubt, would

attribute the cure to natural causes; as for ourselves, we,

like the patient, feel convinced that it was owing to Mary's

powerful intercession. The curé agrees with us, and so do all

who glory in the truths of religion. Honored, then, be the

power and goodness of Mary conceived without sin!"

CURE OF A DAUGHTER OF CHARITY AND ANOTHER PERSON (DIOCESE OF MOULINS).

The following letter was sent by a gentleman of unquestionable veracity

to the _Journal du Bourbonnais_, and published in its issue of June 6,

1835:

"_Monsieur_:

"We are all Mary's children; at the foot of her Divine Son's

cross did her maternal heart adopt us as her own. All ages

have felt the salutary effects of her powerful protection; our

fathers have admired them, we ourselves admire them, and our

days are filled with marvels. Even recently has she appeared,

shedding torrents of grace upon a privileged kingdom, and this

kingdom is France. The vision is verified, for the age which

saw it has also witnessed the multiplication of countless

miraculous cures and conversions.

"And shall Bourbonnais, our dear country, be excepted in the

distribution of Mary's favors? Oh! no; it also shall have a

share in this harvest of glory. The truly astonishing rapidity

with which the thousand Miraculous Medals brought to our city

have been disposed of is to me a sufficient guaranty of our

hopes, and it would keep one's pen in daily use to note the

wonderful traits of Mary's protection.

"1st. Sister Chapin, of St. Joseph's Hospital, was for more

than two years racked by pains and a fever that defied all

medical skill.

"This angel of earth lamented her inability to fulfil the

duties of her noble vocation; far from abating, her charity,

zeal and resignation seemed to increase with her gradually

declining health, which now excited our serious fears. Having

vainly exhausted all the resources of medicine, she turned her

back upon art and nature that she might address herself to

faith alone. Full of confidence in the Miraculous Medal, she

began a novena to Mary for the recovery of her health. Before

the novena was ended, both pains and fever had disappeared, and

henceforth, she began a new existence, her strength returned,

and she is happy to prove herself by deeds (fulfilling with

ease the most painful duties) what her virtues have ever

proclaimed her, a true daughter of St. Vincent de Paul.

"2nd. Yesterday, again, was witnessed in our Bourbonnais,

another wonderful trait of Mary's protection. Here are the

facts: On Monday, June 1st, at eight o'clock in the evening,

in the parish of Montilly, near the borders of Allier and the

castle of Beau-Regard, a woman was stricken with a violent

rush of blood to the head; the lamentations and piercing cries

of the family attracted their neighbors. Two alarming crises

succeeded; they were followed by a third, which was thought to

be mortal. The patient, after violently struggling against the

combined efforts of four men to restrain her, fell motionless

and apparently lifeless; her limbs were stiff and chill, her

face a livid blue, her features distorted, her eyes fixed, her

respiration insensible, death seemed imminent. This frightful

attack had lasted about half an hour, when some one present

thought of the Miraculous Medal; she approaches the dying woman

and lays the medal upon her lips. At that instant the latter

arouses from her slumber, she breathes, she clasps her hands

as if thanking the person who had restored her to life she

recognizes all around her, speaks to them and thanks them for

their kind attentions.

"The next morning, Tuesday, it was not at the gates of death

she was to be found, but in the streets of Moulins, where I saw

her myself and spoke to her.

"Pardon me, O divine Mary, if among a thousand striking

traits of your power and goodness, I dwell upon some which

are comparatively slight, it is only because of their recent

occurrence in our very midst. Happy shall I esteem myself to

awaken among my brethren a passing tribute to Faith, that

living, salutary Faith, whose efficacy I have experienced, and

whose truths I long to see planted and nourished in all hearts!

"Deign to accord, etc."

We have learned that Sister Chapin's recovery is permanent.

CURE OF MARIE LACROIX (DIOCESE OF LANGRES).

NOTE.--It is M. Barillot, Vicar General, who sends us this

account:

"_Bishopric of Langres, June 20, 1835._

"_Monsieur_:

"M. Regnault, curé of Ormoy, canton of Chateau-Villain, in our

diocese, an excellent pastor and judicious priest, writes me

the subjoined letter of the 19th inst.:

"'A very extraordinary thing has just taken place in my

parish. A young woman aged twenty went blind in consequence

of a fall; her hip was displaced, and she lost all use of

her limbs, except the arms. For three months she was at a

hospital of Bar-sur-Aube, under treatment for these severe

afflictions, but in vain. At last, judging her case hopeless,

the physicians sent her back to her parents at Ormoy. Here,

as at Bar-sur-Aube, she endured for three months incredible

sufferings, not even being able to turn herself in bed or

change her position in the slightest. Her recovery was now

despaired of by all, and lately the minister received a

petition (with the accompanying certificates of the two

physicians who had attended her at Bar-sur-Aube) asking her

admission into the hospital of Quinze-Vingts. Meanwhile,

this young woman, who had always appeared to me very pious

and submissive to God's will, having received a Miraculous

Medal, immediately begins a novena. Seven days elapse, and

her sufferings, far from diminishing, are intensified; on the

eighth she is bathed in a profuse perspiration, after which she

suddenly rises, dresses herself, and walks through the streets

to church, to the great astonishment of all the people, who,

seeing her, cannot restrain their tears.

"'I questioned her closely, but did not express my opinion

on the subject. I went to Bar-sur-Aube to get additional

information; the physician declares it astonishing, especially

when we consider her former hopeless condition. The hospital

Sisters, the curés of Bar-sur-Aube, the patients, all say it is

truly a miracle. The people of Ormoy and even of the vicinity,

who come to see her, wonder that I do not mention it from the

pulpit. I beg of you to let me know how to act in the affair,

and also that you will speak to the Bishop about it.'

"The Bishop has since sent word through me to the curé

of Ormoy, to publish this miraculous occurrence to his

parishioners; he has also charged me with forwarding you a copy

of the good curé's letter, leaving to your discretion the use

you may make of it.

"I am, etc.,

"BARILLOT, Canon, Vicar General."

Before printing this, we wished to ascertain if the cure were

permanent, and the Vicar General sent us the following response from

the curé of Ormoy:

"The cure is permanent; for several months past the young

woman has been with the Ursulines of La Chapelle, who consider

her physically able to share in the labors of the house; her

condition having been attested by three doctors. Her sudden

recovery, as above mentioned, leads us to believe that it was

surely supernatural. I was far from meriting this favor which

has been granted my poor parish. I hope the Blessed Virgin will

finish her work.

"_November 3, 1835._"

CURES WROUGHT IN THE CHABLAIS DISTRICT (SAVOY).

"_The Borders of Lake Geneva, June 18, 1835._

"_Monsieur_:

"The country purged of Calvin's heresy by the labors of

Geneva's holy bishop, is not a stranger to the blessings

figured by the medal's mysterious rays. This wonderful

instrument of Mary's liberality has been propagated with

astonishing rapidity, though only a few months since we heard

of it in our midst. I consider it a pious obligation to offer

you a few small stones towards the construction of that temple

of glory now in process of erection, to the honor of her,

who has lately proved herself more powerful and merciful on

earth than ever before. I am a young villager living amidst my

family; I do not announce miracles to you, but merely recount

facts just as I have seen or heard them. I could have subjoined

a list of signatures, but I did not judge it necessary, the

docile, religious heart deeming them superfluous, and the

skeptic, fraudulent, like the facts. On a perusal of the first

few phrases in each incident, persons living in the vicinity

will recognize the individuals concerned, and thereby be more

deeply impressed.

"1st. In the month of July, 1824, Mlle. C., aged twenty-nine

years, bade, as she thought, a last adieu to her family; she

and some other generous companions were going to one of the

large cities in southern Italy to consecrate themselves there

to the service of the sick and poor. After a few months'

novitiate in a religious house devoted to works of this nature,

she was attacked by one of those debilitating, wasting maladies

that physicians are at a loss to define. Attributing it to the

climate, the Superiors, after twenty-two months' ineffectual

treatment at the novitiate, sent her to breathe her natal

air. But change of air proved vain also, and the doctors at

last ceased their visits, judging the re-establishment of

her health an impossibility. About six years ago, she had

improved sufficiently to walk a few steps beyond her chamber,

and even remain in the open air some minutes, but amelioration

was illusory, and since 1830 she had not been able to leave

her couch of suffering except for a few instants. Many times

during these last five years was she apparently on the verge

of death, and that for several consecutive days, always,

however, retaining her hearing and intellectual faculties,

since she could respond by signs to the priest who visited

her. It was he who gave me these particulars. Her condition

had become such that it was judged advisable to administer the

Last Sacraments. This house was now a school of edification,

where Christians might study the price of sufferings and the

heroism of patience. Finally, about the end of last April,

this poor creature, so tortured for the past eleven years,

conceived a hope of relief through the Miraculous Medal,

but, mistrusting the somewhat extraordinary impressions the

thought made upon her imagination, it was only from obedience

she could be induced to commence a novena. The sole exercises

consisted of repeating, three times a day, the invocation: 'O

Mary! conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to

thee!' On Wednesday, April 24th, the second or third day of

the novena, she felt an irresistible desire to arise. It was

yet very early in the morning; a little child assisted her

to dress. Finding that her limbs support her, she begins to

think it must be something miraculous, and, filled with joy,

she wishes to announce the news to her mother, who is in an

adjoining room. Arrived at the door, she is seized with fright,

and precipitately turns back; but, being reassured of her newly

restored strength by the facility with which she reaches her

own chamber, she overcomes herself, and, retracing her steps,

seeks the embraces of her mother, her sister and brother.

Her unexpected appearance fills them with great emotion, and

abundant tears attest the depths of their joy and gratitude. A

clergyman, who often visited this lady, soon heard rumors of

her recovery, but gave no credit to them. Meeting her mother

on the street not long after, she burst into tears at sight

of him, and was unable to express the cause of her emotion.

Suspecting it, he went immediately to the house, and saw for

himself what a miracle had been wrought. With Mlle. C., he

unites in blessing her powerful protectress, the Immaculate

Mary.

"Since that time, April 24, to the present date, June 18th,

Mlle. C. rises about seven o'clock, hears Mass on her knees,

employs herself in various duties during the day, makes visits

and walks of half an hour's or even an hour's duration, and

continues well, even her complexion begins to assume a healthy

tinge. Her legs are still a little swollen, and she cannot yet

take much nourishment.

"The sudden appearance of this person, whom every one had

known to be seriously afflicted for eleven years, created an

extraordinary sensation. All eyes were fixed upon her, and many

persons even followed her. This took place in the capital of

the province.

"2d. In the month of August, 1833, my sister, at the sight of

a child who barely missed falling through an open trap door,

was suddenly attacked by frightful nervous convulsions, which

henceforth returned daily, and even as often as fifteen times

a day. It was only at the end of two months that remedies, and

a four weeks' strict hospital treatment, succeeded in checking

them. Last year, they manifested themselves again in the month

of February, but disappeared, leaving her a prey to great

weakness, and a fever that kept her in bed four weeks.

"In the February of this year, the nervous convulsions

returned, and with a frequency and force that were truly

alarming. The patient wasted visibly, the paroxysms were

renewed seven and ten times a day, and were of a most frightful

character; the circulation of her blood seemed checked, her

feet and hands were deathly chilled, she jerked her head with

violence and precipitation, an agitated cry escaped her breast;

the attack lasted from three to six minutes, and left her

completely exhausted. The witnesses of this painful spectacle

were affected to tears. She was taken to a skillful physician,

who after seeing her in one of these convulsions, pronounced

the case hopeless, saying, 'it baffled him, he could not

understand it.' However, he prescribed remedies. Meanwhile, the

first medals arrived in our midst. On Shrove Tuesday, my sister

had five attacks, which she assured me were the worst she had

ever had. Next day, wearing the medal, she began a novena, and

the two convulsions she had that day were the last; never since

has she felt the slightest symptom (and that without employing

the prescribed remedies), neither has she had a sign of the

fever, which last year replaced the less violent convulsions.

This cure was wrought in an insensible, but very efficacious

manner, the first day of a novena made through the medal. My

sister immediately resumed the manifold duties of a laborious

household. She attributes, and we also, her recovery to Mary

alone. Thousands of times be love and glory to this good Mother!

"3d. In the Chablais district, on the frontiers of the canton

of Geneva, lived a poor widow, the mother of quite a large

family. This good woman, about sixty years old, had a natural

predisposition to paralysis. At the age of forty-eight, an

attack of this disease deprived her of the use of her left

arm. At intervals since then, she has had spells of illness

so serious and so protracted, that at least a hundred times

she seemed on the verge of the tomb. She never consulted a

physician, but animated with a lively, persevering faith, she

employed only supernatural means. 'God and the Saints are the

only good doctors,' she would say, and 'God and the Saints'

rewarded her confidence. She has recovered from these hopeless

maladies in an extraordinary manner. On the first of last

March, her left foot lost the power of supporting her body

in walking, doubtless owing to her natural predisposition to

paralysis. Persons informed on the subject have given the

following description of the convulsive movements of this poor

woman's foot: suspended, it preserved its natural position, but

on putting it to the ground, it immediately lost its balance;

her body was bent, her knee turned out, the sole of her foot

exposed, and the left side of her foot was the foundation of

support for the left limb in walking. She went thus to church,

distant about four minutes' walk; but even in that short space

of time, the convulsive movements of the foot were sometimes

such that she was not able to keep her balance, but fell to

the ground. Every one pitied her, she was always calm and

perfectly resigned. Her children had made for her an iron

brace which reached to the knee, but after a trial, she was

obliged to discard it, the remedy causing more suffering than

the disease. During the Lenten season, some charitable persons

advised her to seek Mary's assistance through the Miraculous

Medal. The good widow did so, and wore her medal with the

utmost confidence. On Holy Saturday, she perceived that her

foot had become steady; the next day, Easter, without any

remedies having been used, it resumed its natural position, and

since that time, though a little weaker than the right, not

once has it given way or turned. She attributes her recovery to

the Blessed Virgin, whom she invoked by wearing the medal, so

justly styled miraculous.

"I could cite many other less striking cases; one time it is a

hardy peasant who attributes to Mary's intercession relief from

violent pains; another time, a little child, who in a few days,

is completely cured of a large tumor under its arm, accompanied

by fever; a mother who tells me how her daughter's ill health

is sensibly improved by the application of the medal; or a

Protestant girl, who, after wearing it, abjures heresy, etc.

Nearly all the children of our village wear the Miraculous

Medal around their neck, they recite the invocation, they kiss

the precious image and give it to their little sisters and

brothers in the cradle to kiss.

III.

_Graces obtained from 1836 to 1838 in France, Italy, Holland, etc._

CONVERSION AND CURE OF M. GAETAN (BOULOGNE).

This account was sent me by the curé of Boulogne, February 8, 1836.

"In my parish, a young man named Gaetan U---, aged twenty-seven

years, was leading a life of criminal intimacy with a woman.

Several years after abandoning his mother and brother, that he

might be under no restraint in his shameless course, he was

prostrated by a serious pulmonary attack. M. Jean Pulioli, an

excellent physician, undertook the case; but the violence or

the disease overcame his skill, and the patient (still in the

house of the bad character with whom he lived,) was reduced to

such a deplorable state of exhaustion, that he could not move

himself. From the beginning of his sickness he had insisted

that he would not be worried by a priest. But the disease

making very rapid progress, the doctor believed it his duty to

warn a priest of his condition. My chaplain went immediately

to see him, and earnestly entreated him to put an end to this

scandalous state of affairs by marrying the woman, but all in

vain. I then paid him a visit, and besides remarking in him

neither any intention of marrying her nor of separating from

her, I perceived from the excuses he gave, that his soul was

enshrouded in impenetrable indifference. Having uselessly

exhausted all efforts to effect a change, I concluded it would

be better to leave him awhile to quiet and serious reflection,

and return later to know his decision. I urged him to seek

the mediation of that refuge of sinners, the Blessed Virgin,

and slipping the Miraculous Medal under his pillow, I left.

There was no necessity for my returning to learn his decision,

he sent his mother for me, with whom he had become reconciled

in the meantime; after informing me of the very just reasons

he had for not marrying the woman, he asked me if I would

not request her to leave, a commission I willingly accepted.

She consented, and immediately abandoned the house. The sick

man's peace and joy at this were indescribable; when I showed

him the medal, he kissed it most fervently and impulsively,

notwithstanding his state of exhaustion. Then, with every mark

of sincere repentance, he confessed, received the Holy Viaticum

and Extreme Unction, for we expected each moment he would

breathe his last. This occurred January 19, 1836. Interiorly,

he enjoyed unspeakable peace, a favor he always attributed to

the Blessed Virgin. From this time he began to improve, and

in a few days his health was completely re-established. He

continues to persevere in his good resolutions, and full of the

tenderest affection for his celestial Benefactress, he still

reverently wears the medal I gave him, often kissing it with

truly filial love.

"Monsieur, I was a witness of the above-mentioned fact; I send

it to you, not only with the permission of the newly converted

and cured, but at his request, and I hope that the knowledge

will redound to the honor and glory of the Omnipotent God, who,

through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, has wrought

this double miracle.

"I subjoin the certificate of the physician who attests the

disease and its cure."

CURE OF A JUDGE AT NAPLES.

The judge of the civil tribunal of Naples, M. Joseph Cocchia, seriously

debilitated by a chronic disease of the bowels, was afflicted with most

violent pains, accompanied by a spasmodic sensation that, continually

increasing, banished sleep and appetite, and perceptibly diminished

his frame. This was followed by a bilious gastric fever, long and

obstinate, of fifty days duration. When freed from the fever, the sick

man found himself in a frightful state of emaciation and exhaustion;

signs of inflammation in the bowels, and such extreme irritation that

the least jolt induced fever, made skillful physicians fear lest these

were the symptoms of an incurable malady still more deplorable. Whilst

in this pitiable condition, there reached the sick man's ears accounts

of the prodigies Divine mercy had wrought in favor of those who wore

the medal; he eagerly asked for one, and received it with faith;

henceforth, he had no longer any need of medical assistance, for he

recovered the strength and perfect health he now enjoys.

CURE OF F.P. DE MAGISTRIS.

M.F. Paul de Magistris, aged seven years, was attacked about the

middle of November, 1835, by a bilious gastric fever, which, by reason

of accompanying circumstances, threatened to shorten his life. After

three weeks' illness, his nervous system was also attacked, and he

became a prey to a state of profound drowsiness that resulted in the

loss of reason and speech. His afflicted parents, seeing the obstinacy

of the disease, notwithstanding all efforts of medical skill to the

contrary, considered the case hopeless, and their child lost to them.

On the evening of January 9th, the curé administered Extreme Unction,

believing, as did all the assistants, that the little sufferer had but

a few hours to live. A young person, who came to the house, having

mentioned the Miraculous Medal brought from France by the priests of

the Congregation of the Mission, it was immediately procured, and,

with confidence in its healing powers, applied to the child, whilst

all present knelt around his bed and recited the _Ave Maris Stella_.

Scarcely had they finished, ere he was considered out of danger. With

renewed confidence in the medal, it was resolved to begin a novena

in honor of the Blessed Virgin. During its progress, the disease

diminished perceptibly, and the child has now entirely recovered. Its

parents, as well as other persons of credit and veracity, among them

the attendant physician, attest that, having witnessed his deplorable

condition, they feel convinced his recovery was a miracle, resulting

from the application of the medal.

_February 22, 1836._

CURE OF A DROPSICAL MAN (SWITZERLAND).

"_Soleure, January 19th, 1836._

"Baptiste, a wood sawyer, whom you knew during your sojourn

in this city, was confined to his bed two whole months by

an attack of the severest form of dropsy on the chest. One

of our best physicians, who attended him at the beginning

of his sickness, having told Baptiste's wife that the case

was a hopeless one, the family decided to consult another,

M. Gougelmann, at Attyswill, a league from Soleure. After

seeing the patient, he also gave the same opinion, and the

poor wife's distress was beyond expression. A pious lady,

witnessing her grief, gave her a Miraculous Medal. The sick

man's arms, legs, and whole body were greatly swollen. His

breath was short, and he had scarcely any power of motion; his

back, and his elbows upon which he was obliged to lean, were a

mass of sores. In this pitiable state, death might be expected

any moment. His confessor having come to visit him, brought

the Notice of the miracles wrought through the Miraculous

Medal. The sick man on receiving it began to read it aloud,

greatly to the astonishment of his wife and the priest, who

were both witnesses that he had been almost past the power

of speech but a few minutes before. And he continued reading

thus until he had finished the little book (it was one of the

first editions). This was the evening of January 19. His wife,

overcome with fatigue, fell asleep for a few moments, his

children were in an adjoining room expecting at any instant to

hear the sad news of their father's death. He slept a little

towards three o'clock in the morning, and on awaking found

himself so well that it was impossible to resist the desire of

rising from his bed and throwing himself on his knees before a

crucifix, in thanksgiving to Our Lord and His divine Mother.

His wife awoke, and not seeing him in bed, called to know where

he was. 'I am well; the Blessed Virgin has cured me,' was the

answer of Baptiste, whom she perceived kneeling before the

crucifix. The children, hearing the noise, hastened to their

father's presence, believing him about to breathe his last,

but judge of their surprise at finding him restored to health,

and his sores perfectly healed! Imagine, if you can, the joy

of this poor family, and the happy effects the news of this

wondrous cure produced upon the many who heard it. Baptiste has

had excellent health ever since."

* * * * *

CURE OF FRANÇOIS WENMAKERS, OF BOIS-LE-DUC (HOLLAND).

The _Noord Brabander_, a Holland journal, printed at Bois-le-Duc,

contains in number 68 the following account of an extraordinary cure,

which is attributed to the Blessed Virgin:

"_Bois-le Duc, June 6th, 1836._

"The 25th of last April, François Wenmakers, a young

apprentice, aged fourteen years, fell from a height of

about sixteen feet. An affection of the brain and an almost

complete paralysis of the lungs, larynx and oesophagus were

the result; he was not in a condition to take any medicine

into his stomach, or even to swallow the least liquid, and he

was deprived of consciousness. One of the physicians, feeling

worried at his fixed stare, advised the administration of

Extreme Unction; and yet another, the eve of his recovery,

declared him on the verge of death. The sick man moreover,

had become nearly blind the last few days. On the 1st of May,

advantage was taken of a lucid interval, to give him the Holy

Viaticum; and on the 4th of the same month, he received Extreme

Unction from one of the chaplains of St. Jean. His parents, who

immediately after his fall, had hung a medal of the Immaculate

Conception around his neck, seeing there was now no hope of his

recovery, except in the divine goodness and the intercession

of the Blessed Virgin, began, on the 16th of May, a novena in

honor of the Mother of God. Three days after, about six o'clock

in the morning, the patient suddenly asked his mother if the

medal around his neck were blessed. She answered yes, regarding

the question as the effect of delirium. He immediately

kissed it, and sat up for the first time since the fall, for

heretofore he had been stretched out helpless on the bed, and,

for some days past, had been deprived of the use of his limbs.

'Something tells me,' he exclaimed, 'that I must get up, that

I am cured!' The astonishment of those present may easily be

imagined. The mother called his sisters, who repaired to the

room with an elder girl, and they, seeing that he stoutly

persisted in declaring himself cured, persuaded his mother to

let him rise. He did indeed get up, and pointing to a picture

in the room, representing the medal, he said: 'It is this good

Mother who has cured me.' From that moment the boy's health was

perfectly re-established, and his intellectual faculties were

brighter than ever.

"Reflections here are superfluous. Glory to God and her who

thus rewards the confidence of her servants! The parents and

their child will ever remember the blessing they have received,

and never cease to publish it!"

* * * * *

CURE OF ROSALIE DUCAS, OF JAUCHELETTE (BELGIUM).

Rosalie Ducas, of Jauchelette, near Jodoigne, aged four years and

a-half, was, on the 9th of November, 1835, suddenly struck with total

blindness without the slightest premonitory symptoms; there was no

disease, no weakness, she was in apparently perfect health. Not only

was the least light, but the least breath of air so painful, that her

face had to be kept constantly covered with a cloth four doubled. This

poor child's sufferings night and day, were heart-rending! At last the

mother herself was taken sick. Some pious individual procured her a

blessed medal of the Immaculate Conception. She took it and commenced

a novena. Another medal was put on the child's neck, the 11th of June,

1836, about six o'clock in the evening; at midnight, the little one

ceased its moans, on the fourth or fifth day of the novena, it opened

its eyes. The mother and father redoubled their prayers to the Blessed

Virgin, and on the ninth day, towards evening, the child recovered its

sight entirely, to the great astonishment of the neighbors and all who

were witnesses of the occurrence.

"The curé of Jodoigne-la-Souveraine, who had given the medal,

has himself seen the child who lives not more than half a

league distant; he positively asserts that it has perfectly

recovered its sight, and that not the slightest vestige of the

attack remains, which fact is well known, and contributes not a

little in exciting devotion to the Immaculate Mary."

* * * * *

CONVERSION OF THE FATHER OF A FAMILY (BELGIUM).

"There are still in existence here some families who,

persistently recognizing in the present clergy only a purely

civil power, hold themselves utterly aloof, live in a state of

schism, and comply with none of the duties of religion.

"One of these miserable creatures was afflicted with a virulent

cancer on the side of his face, which for a long time had been

eating away the flesh. The malady increasing, I believed it my

duty to visit him and offer the consolations of my ministry.

I saw him several times, he was suffering greatly; the

oesophagus was exposed, the right side of his emaciated face

presented only a deep sore, the eye, starting from its socket,

hung suspended over a terrible disfigured mouth; his tongue

caused him acute pain; his condition was pitiable indeed,

especially as he seemed determined to die impenitent. He was

a rough, blunt man, who wanted to hear nothing about priests

or Sacraments. In vain was he reminded of our Lord's bountiful

kindness and the rigors of His justice, nothing touched

him; to all expostulations his invariable reply was: 'God's

mercy is great, I will confess to God, the Blessed Virgin,

to St. Barbara and the good Saints.' He was the counterpart

of those men to whom Jesus Christ said: '_In peccato vestro

moriemini_--you shall die in your sin.'

"His relations and numerous friends endeavored both by prayers

and entreaties to snatch him from perdition, but on the other

side visited daily and sustained by his old associates in

impiety, he persisted in dying as he had lived, in schism.

"In the meantime, I was obliged to be absent several days. This

period was for him one of Divine mercy. A lady of the parish

made a last attempt to recall him to God, by bringing him one

of those medals of the Immaculate Conception called miraculous.

She sent it to him with the request to wear it and put all his

confidence in the Blessed Virgin. The sick man took the medal,

kissed it respectfully, and put it under his pillow. In giving

it to him, his daughter had taken care to acquaint him with

its origin and advantages, at the same time urging him, as

usual, to make his confession. 'Leave me in peace,' was the

wretched father's reply, and she could say no more. Next day,

a neighboring curé was sent for to administer Extreme Unction

to another person in the parish. He came, and forgetting, as

it were, the one for whom he had been sent, he thought only of

the cancerous patient. 'I felt,' he afterwards told me, 'an

inexplicable and irresistible desire to visit him, I could not

have returned without seeing him.' He asks some one to announce

his arrival to the sick man; this person speaks to the latter,

and urges him to confess. 'The curé of P. is here,' she adds,

'and would like to see you, if you have no objection.' 'Well,

yes, let him come.' The curé went to him immediately; at first

there was a slight air of resistance about the patient, but it

vanished, the hour of grace had come, he confessed with every

indication of true repentance, and received Extreme Unction

with an indescribable peace and joy, that never faltered during

the four remaining days of his life. The Holy Viaticum could

not be administered because he was not able to swallow.

"At noon, on the 18th of last May, the month consecrated to

Mary, he died, aged seventy-eight.

"Except his former companions in irreligion, this conversion

was a subject of rejoicing to the parish, and doubtless it

will rejoice all the servants of Mary who hear of it. May this

example, among thousands, inspire sinners with great confidence

in the Blessed Virgin, propagate devotion to her, and multiply

the medal styled miraculous!

"I have thought it a duty to give these few details, for the

purpose of making known the truly visible effects of the

protection of the Mother of God, and the ever impenetrable

springs of grace in regard to man.

"I have the honor to be, Monsieur, with great esteem, &c."

* * * * *

CURE OF MLLE. ANTOINETTE VAN ERTRYCK (BOIS-LE-DUC).

"The protection of the Blessed Virgin, which for the last few

months has shown itself so powerful in a neighboring kingdom,

has also wrought wonders in Bois-le-Duc. Mary has here likewise

given equal proofs of her maternal bounty when we have implored

her intercession.

"Mlle. Antoinette Van Ertryck, aged twenty-five years, was for

more than twenty months deprived of the use of her limbs; they

were stiff and paralyzed, almost without feeling, and stretched

motionless on a sort of bench made for the express purpose.

Medicine afforded no relief. In this sad condition, wearing

a blessed medal of the Immaculate Conception, she thought of

making a novena in honor of the Feast, to recover her health.

On the last day of the novena, she made a fervent communion.

Even after the departure of the priest, who came to administer

the Blessed Sacrament, there seemed no change for the better,

but she felt a shiver through all her body, like the impression

often experienced from sudden cold. Just whilst finishing the

last prayers, however, she seemed to hear an interior voice

saying to her: 'You are cured.' On attempting to move, she

found that her limbs had become flexible, and she was able to

walk. The miracle was wrought on Saturday, May 16th. The next

day, Sunday, she went to church to return thanks for this

blessing to the common Mother of all the faithful. The people

of our city, always distinguished for their veneration for the

Blessed Virgin, and their confidence in her intercession are

not wanting in gratitude, and this new favor will but increase

their devotion to Mary Immaculate.

"The duration of the malady, the inutility of medical skill,

and her astonishing sudden cure are attested by the doctor.

"A. BOLSIUS, M.D."

CURE OF A YOUNG GIRL AT CRACOW, POLAND.

Extract from a letter of the Countess Lubinska:

"_March 12th, 1837._

"I took into my service, the 20th of last December, a young

girl whose excellent qualities elicited my deepest interest.

"After being with me some months, she began to suffer most

acute pains in the head; the remedies we employed affording

no relief, the attending physician advised her to keep her

bed, and did not conceal from her his opinion that these pains

proceeded from the humor flowing constantly from her ears, and

which seeming to be upon the brain, threatened her life, or at

all events, her reason.

"What confirmed this opinion was the fact that whenever she

walked rapidly or stooped, she was forced by the pain to throw

her head back, as she assured me various times during her

sickness. The continued suffering induced her, at last, to

follow the physician's advice, and consent, if necessary, to

the operation of trepanning. I shuddered at the very idea, and

made her promise to ascertain if a delay of ten days would be

attended with any serious consequences. Upon a negative answer

from the physician, I stopped all medicines and determined

to try the efficacy of the Miraculous Medal. This was on a

Saturday, and the very day observed by her as a strict fast,

in thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin for having miraculously

cured her of a mortal typhus, after her mother had dedicated

her to Mary. Her confidence in Mary was great; and as I did

not give her the medal for some hours after promising it,

she told one of her friends, as I have since learned, that

her impatience to receive it was almost beyond bounds, and

assured her that she would not have hesitated between it and

two thousand francs had she been allowed a choice, and we

must remember that this girl was very poor. To display more

clearly the miraculous nature of the cure, God permitted her

sufferings to increase to such a degree that very day, that

notwithstanding her patience and resignation, it seemed as

if she really could not endure them much longer. Knowing her

lively faith and confidence, I deemed it unnecessary to enter

into a detailed account of the salutary effects of the medal;

I gave it to her; she immediately made with it the sign of

the cross upon her poor head, repeated the invocation and

fell asleep amidst excessive sufferings. On awaking she was

perfectly cured, and has never since experienced the slightest

symptom of the disease.

"Filled with sentiments of the deepest humility and the

most lively gratitude, the miraculously cured now wishes to

consecrate herself to God in the religious life.

"Blessed a thousand times be God and the Immaculate Mary, and

may we ever appreciate such boundless mercy!"

CONVERSION OF M. REGNAULT, MAYOR OF POITIERS.--1837

The following account was sent us by the abbé of Chazelle:

"_Poitiers, June 12th, 1837._

"M. Regnault, mayor of Poitiers, had exercised his functions

since the year 1830. In some difficulties, occurring during his

administration, with the bishop and several of the clergy, he

had shown himself just and equitable. His charity to the poor

was well known. But far different are these moral virtues,

which generally receive their recompense here below, from the

Christian virtues so seldom rewarded, except in a better world!

M. Regnault never appeared at church, except when his presence

as mayor was necessary. A prey for some time to a grave malady,

he continued to exercise his functions as long as possible,

imposing upon himself for that purpose many sacrifices, and

displaying an admirable zeal; but, vanquished by the disease,

he was at length forced to suspend his duties, and, since the

1st of last January, to resign altogether. The curé of St.

Hilaire, having learned the alarming state of his parishioner's

health, hastened to visit him, and offer the consolations of

his ministry, but in vain. He repeated his visits. He was

received into the house, but not taken to see the patient. He

now sent word to the latter that he was at his command, and

would come immediately when sent for. Meanwhile, the disease

made such rapid progress that there was no longer any hope of

recovery. Several of his friends, interested in his salvation,

were grieved to see him so near death without the slightest

preparation for it. One of them brought him a Miraculous Medal,

and, not being able to see him herself, she asked a woman

about the house to give it to him for her. The woman did so,

and, fearing he might reject it with contempt, she begged him

to receive it for the donor's sake. He took it, saying: 'It is

a medal of the Blessed Virgin; I accept it respectfully, God

is not to be trifled with.' And, putting it under his pillow,

he sent a kind message of thanks to the lady who had given

it. Some moments after, he takes it out, contemplates it, and

kisses it respectfully.

"Having placed his temporal affairs in order, he now expresses

a wish to do the same with his conscience, and requests his

attendants to send for the parish curé. The latter hastens to

the sick man's bedside. 'I have made you come in a hurry,'

says the patient, 'I want to have a conversation with you.'

After this conversation, he asks the curé to return next day,

as he wishes time to prepare himself for the grand action he

contemplates. 'The step I am about to take,' he adds, 'I do

with full knowledge and entire conviction.' The curé of St.

Hilaire, with whom, as mayor, he had just had a law-suit,

suggested that he make his confession to some other priest; he

answered that he wished no one but his pastor. Next day, the

curé returned, and as he addressed his penitent by the title of

M. the Mayor: 'Do not call me that,' said M. Regnault; 'you are

now my father, I am your son, I beg you to address me thus.'

The curé paid him frequent visits, and as the disease continued

to progress, he suggested administering the Holy Viaticum and

Extreme Unction. 'I have not been confirmed,' replied the

pious patient, 'I ardently desire to receive Confirmation.'

The bishop was soon informed, and, readily forgetting all

subject of complaint, and thanking God for this unexpected

change, the venerable prelate went at once to the sick man.

The happy dispositions of the latter touched him deeply, and he

administered to him the Sacrament of Confirmation the very day

of his receiving Extreme Unction and the Holy Viaticum.

"It is impossible to give an idea of M. Regnault's faith

and truly angelic fervor during this ceremony, or the deep

impression made upon him at seeing Monseigneur enter his

chamber. It was Saturday, January 21st, the eve of Septuagesima

Sunday. Monseigneur addressed him in a few words full of

unction and charity, and to inspire him with hope, reminded

him of the very touching parable of the next day's Gospel, the

laborers in the Father's vineyard, who coming at the last hour

received the same recompense as those who had borne the heat

and burden of the day. All the assistants were deeply affected

at this edifying spectacle, and many were moved to tears.

The bishop, on leaving, charged the curé to testify again to

M. Regnault how great consolation he had experienced at this

happy change, and how much he had been edified at his piety

during this touching but long ceremony. 'As first magistrate

of the city,' he answered, with a peaceful smile, 'I ought to

set good example to those under my administration.' The curé

sought by repeated visits to sustain this new-born piety,

already tried most severely by the excruciating sufferings of

the malady, sufferings which the patient bore with calmness

and resignation, offering them to God in expiation of his past

offences. To recompense his services to the city during his

administration, the government bestowed upon him the cross of

honor. The curé could not refrain from congratulating him. 'I

do not know,' was the modest answer, 'I do not know what I

have done to merit it,' and when reminded of his services to

the city, 'Oh! do not speak of them,' said he, 'such things

might awaken self-love!' What immense progress virtue makes

in the soul in a very little while! It was in these happy

dispositions he died, the 2d of the following February, Feast

of the Purification. The whole city of Poitiers, we might say,

assisted at the funeral. The bishop, the authorities, and

a host of other distinguished personages came to pay their

tribute of gratitude and admiration to his memory, and the

prefect congratulated the curé of St. Hilaire on so wonderful a

conversion."

MARY'S PROTECTION OF A LITTLE CHILD (PARIS).

Madame Rémond, living number 70, rue Mouffetard, held at her chamber

window, on the second story, one of her children, aged twenty-two

months. Fainting suddenly, she fell back into the room, and the

child was precipitated upon the pavement below. Immediate death

might naturally have been expected as the inevitable consequence of

such a fall; but no, wonderful to relate, the child was not injured.

After reading the Archbishop's circular (upon the occasion of the

consecration of the church of Notre Dame de Lorette), in which he

recommends all the faithful to wear the Miraculous Medal, the pious

parents had hastened to procure one and put it on their child. The

Immaculate Mary did not fail to reward their piety. On picking the poor

little creature up, and examining it, not even the slightest bruise was

discovered. As the mother was a long time recovering from her swoon, it

caused great anxiety, and several physicians were called in to see her.

They also saw the child, and declared its escape wonderful indeed. But

by way of precaution, they applied a few leeches to it, and a poultice

to one knee which seemed to be the seat of some slight pain. The child

had been eating an instant before this terrible fall, which, strange

to say, occasioned no vomiting, and immediately after being picked up

it took all the little delicacies offered it. Every one declared this

occurrence a miracle, and the innocent little creature itself seemed

to proclaim it, by kissing the medal and pressing it to its lips,

especially when the subject was mentioned, as we ourselves witnessed

when the father showed him to us the 25th of June, 1837.

"The mother recovered perfectly, and she never ceases to thank

the Immaculate Mary for the double protection she considers due

the medal."

THE ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF NOTRE DAME DES VICTOIRES.

Scarcely six years since the apparition of 1830, and already the

designs of Providence were realized; the Miraculous Medal had awakened

devotion to the Blessed Virgin, belief in the Immaculate Conception had

penetrated all classes of society, and the innumerable favors accorded

those who fervently recited the prayers revealed by Mary, had clearly

proved how she prizes this first of all her privileges. But so far, her

servants remained isolated, having no bond of union, no central point

where they could meet; the majority of those who wore the medal as the

livery of the spotless Virgin, knew neither the place, the mode, nor

date of its origin.

God was now about to complete the work, by giving to this devotion, an

organization and fixed exercises which favored its development, and

increased the efficacy of prayer, by the power of association.

Towards the end of the year 1836, a man was raised up to execute the

divine plans; this man was M. Dufriche Desgenettes, curé of Notre Dame

des Victoires, Paris. From 1820 to 1832, in charge of St. Francis

Xavier's Church, he numbered among the religious establishments of his

parish, the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity, where the Blessed

Virgin had appeared. He was one of the most earnest in thanking God for

this grace, and most eager to propagate the medal. It was his desire

that the privileged chapel should become a pilgrim shrine, but this

desire not being realized, he was chosen by Providence to supply the

substitute.

Let us quote his own words, relating how he was led to found the

Archconfraternity of the Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary. "There

was in Paris, a parish scarcely known even to many of the Parisians.

It is situated in the centre of the city, between the Palais Royal

and the Bourse, surrounded by theatres and places of dissipation, a

quarter swallowed up in the vortex of cupidity and industry, and the

most abandoned to every species of criminal indulgence. Its church,

dedicated to Notre Dame des Victoires, remained deserted even on the

most solemn festivities.... No Sacraments were administered in this

parish, not even to the dying.... If, by dint of novel persuasion, the

curé obtained permission to visit a person dangerously ill, it was not

only on condition of waiting until the patient's faculties were dimmed,

but also on another almost insuperable condition, that of presenting

himself in a secular habit. What benefit were such visits? They were

merely a useless torment to the dying."[20]

[Footnote 20: Manual of the Archconfraternity, edition of 1853.

p. 84.]

Such was the parish confided to M. Desgenettes. With the hope of

recalling to God, even a few strayed souls, the poor curé, for four

years, employed every means that the most active zeal could suggest,

but in vain. Sad and grieved beyond measure, he thought of quitting

this ungrateful post, when a supernatural communication revived his

drooping courage.

On the 3d of December, Feast of St. Francis Xavier, thoroughly

penetrated with the inutility of his ministry in this parish, he

was saying Mass at the Blessed Virgin's altar, now the altar of the

Archconfraternity.... After the _Sanctus_, he distinctly heard these

words pronounced in a very solemn manner: "Consecrate thy parish to the

most Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary." They did not strike his ears,

but seemed to proceed from an interior voice. He immediately recovered

peace and liberty of spirit. After finishing his thanksgiving, fearing

to be the dupe of an illusion, he endeavored to banish the thought of

what was apparently a supernatural communication, but the same interior

voice resounded again in the depths of his soul. Returned to his house,

he begins to compose the statutes of the association, with a view of

delivering himself from an importunate idea, and scarcely does he take

his pen in hand, ere he is fully enlightened on the subject, and the

organization of the work costs him nothing but the manual labor of the

writing.[21]

[Footnote 21: Manual of the Archconfraternity, p. 7.]

The statutes prepared, are submitted to Mgr. de Quélen who approves

them, and the 16th of the same month, an archiepiscopal ordinance

erects canonically the Association of the Holy and Immaculate Heart

of Mary for the conversion of sinners. The first meeting took place

on Sunday, the 11th of December. In announcing it at High Mass, the

pious pastor expected to see in the evening not more than fifty or

sixty persons at most. Judge of his astonishment on finding assembled

at the appointed hour, a congregation of about five hundred, a large

proportion of whom are men! What had brought them? The majority were

ignorant of the object of the meeting. An instruction explaining the

motive and end of the exercises made a deep impression; the Benediction

was chanted most fervently, and there was a notable increase of fervor

during the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, especially at the thrice

repeated invocation: "_Refugium peccatorum, ora pro nobis._" The cause

was gained, Mary took possession of the parish of Notre Dame des

Victoires.

The good curé still doubted; to assure himself that the association was

truly the work of God, he demanded a sign, the conversion of a great

sinner, an old man on the borders of the tomb, who had several times

refused to see him. His prayer was granted, the old man received him

gladly, and became sincerely converted. It was not long before new

graces showered upon his parish increased M. Desgenette's confidence,

numberless sinners changed their lives, indifferent Christians became

practical and fervent, the offices of the Church were attended, the

Sacraments frequented, the apparently extinguished Faith was relighted,

and this parish, lately so scandalous, soon became one of the most

edifying in Paris.

The Confraternity of the most Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary was

not to embrace one parish only. God willed that it should extend

throughout France, and even the entire world. M. Desgenettes, who

understood this design, addressed himself to the Sovereign Pontiff,

and obtained, April 24th, 1838, a brief, erecting the association into

an Archconfraternity, with the power of affiliating to itself other

associations of the same kind throughout the Church, and granting them

a participation in the spiritual favors accorded it. From this day, the

Archconfraternity developed wonderfully, and became an inexhaustible

source of graces. The church of Notre Dame des Victoires was henceforth

numbered among the most celebrated sanctuaries in the world. At all

hours may the faithful be seen around its altars in the attitude of

prayer and recollection. The re-unions which take place every Sunday

present a touching spectacle, a dense crowd composed of persons of

every condition, who, after fervently chanting Mary's praises, listen

attentively to a long series of petitions received in the course of the

week from all quarters of the globe.

These present a picture of all the miseries, all the sufferings, all

the corporal and spiritual necessities possible; to which are added

numberless acts of thanksgiving for benefits obtained through the

associates' prayers. These petitions are so multitudinous that they

cannot be announced except in a general manner and by categories; they

actually amount, each week, to the number of twenty-five or thirty

thousand, and, for the entire year, form a total of a million and

a half. At the time of its founder's death, the Archconfraternity

numbered fifteen thousand affiliated confraternities in all quarters of

the globe, and more than twenty million associates. At the beginning of

this year, 1878, the affiliated confraternities amount to 17,472.

A bulletin, issued monthly, gives an account of the progress of the

Archconfraternity, the exercises which take place at Notre Dame des

Victoires, the graces obtained, etc. The first nine numbers were

published by M. Desgenettes himself, but at irregular intervals; they

are full of interest and edification.

Amidst the wonderful success of his work, the venerable pastor, far

from seeking any of the glory, thought only of humbling himself;

regarding his share in it as naught but that of a simple instrument, he

confesses even his resistance to the inspirations of grace, his doubts,

his incredulity;[22] he will not admit that he may be called the

founder of this work of mercy; it is God who has done all, it is the

Immaculate Heart of Mary, that has opened to poor sinners a new source

of graces, as for himself, he was not even the originator of the idea.

[Footnote 22: Manual of the Archconfraternity, page 86.]

These sentiments reveal the soul of a saint; the true servants of

God are always humble of heart, and the good they accomplish is in

proportion to their self-abasement.

In his deep gratitude to God, the pious curé never forgot the bond

attaching Notre Dame des Victoires to the chapel of the Daughters of

Charity; he always loved this blessed sanctuary; it was there Mary had

concealed the source of those vivifying waters which flowed through

his parish; it was there this Mother of divine grace had promised

those benedictions which the Archconfraternity reaped so abundantly.

To preserve the remembrance of this mysterious relation, he desired

that the medal of the association should be the Miraculous Medal.

Henceforth, the influence of this medal became confounded with that

of the Archconfraternity, the extraordinary graces attributed to the

former were often due the associates' prayers, and reciprocally, for

example, the conversion of M. Ratisbonne. In this case, as in many

others, two equally supernatural means united to obtain the same result.

It is related that M. Desgenettes, seeing the Daughters of Charity

frequently around the altar of the most Holy Heart of Mary at Notre

Dame des Victoires, would sometimes say to them: "My good Sisters, I

am much pleased to see you in my dear church, but know that your own

chapel is the true pilgrim shrine, it is there you have the Blessed

Virgin, there she manifested herself to you."----

The Miraculous Medal, as revealed to Sister Catherine, bears on the

reverse the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the first crowned with

thorns, the second pierced by a sword. These are symbols which all

comprehend. Are they not, at the same time, a prophetic sign?

We are permitted to recognize here a foreshadowing of that devotion

which would be rendered by the Archconfraternity of Notre Dame des

Victoires, to the most Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

We may likewise see pre-figured, that later development in our day, of

devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion born in France, and

which the entire nation wishes to proclaim amidst pomp and grandeur,

by the construction of a splendid monument, that from the heights of

Montmartre, shall overlook all Paris.

Thus by a mysterious gradation, the medal of the Immaculate Conception

has conducted us to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Heart of the

Mother has introduced us into the Heart of the Son, the adorable Heart

of Jesus, that Heart which has so loved men, and which saves nations as

well as individuals.

IV.

_Graces Obtained from 1838 to 1842, in Greece, America, China, etc._

CURE WROUGHT IN SANTORIN (GREECE)--1838.

Letter of M.N., Priest of the Mission, in Santorin:

"Mme. Marie Delenda, wife of M. Michel Chigi, son of the

Vice-Consul from Holland to Santorin, for seven years had

suffered most excruciating pains, inducing such a state of

nervous sensibility, that she was unable to bear the least

excitement. She had had several children, but they all died

before birth and receiving baptism. The physicians consulted,

declared unanimously, that her disease was incurable, and that

none of her children would ever come into the world alive.

Greatly distressed at such a sad prospect, she had recourse to

the Miraculous Medal, and obtained from it what medical skill

was unable to effect; her next child, born not long after, was

a fine, live, healthy one. Her husband, as pious as herself,

was transported with joy and gratitude. 'Behold!' said he to

the attendant physician, and conducting him to an image of the

Immaculate Mary, 'Behold our Protectrice, our Liberatrix, the

Mother of our child!' The physician knelt, said a prayer and

retired. Since then, the mother's health is good; at least she

has had no relapse of her former apparently incurable disease,

which recovery is sufficient to attest the protection of Mary

Immaculate. Full of gratitude, the two spouses have never

ceased to urge the erection of the altar and inauguration of

the image of Mary Immaculate, in fulfillment of their promise.

"Several other miraculous cures have also been wrought there

through the invocation of Mary Immaculate. I am assured of

this; four of them are well attested, and really marvelous.

The bishop, the clergy, the people of Santorin, are all ready

to affirm my assertions, and not one of them but would be

more likely to exaggerate than detract from my account. When

Monseigneur went to visit the Chigi family after the birth

of their child, he asked to see the image, and looking at

it, said: 'This is the second miracle wrought in Santorin by

the Immaculate Virgin. The first is known to me through the

confessional, and consequently, I cannot divulge it.'

"It was on the 28th of May, the inauguration of the image of

the Immaculate Conception took place. Monseigneur himself

officiated in the translation, after the High Mass and

procession terminating the Forty Hour's Devotion at the

cathedral. The image was placed upon an altar prepared for the

purpose, in the court-yard of the donor's house. From the altar

to the outer door, a very prettily decorated arched pathway

was formed by means of drapery, and upon the threshold, was a

triumphal arch. All the pavement, not only in the court but

even to our church, was covered with flowers and fragrant

grasses. Monseigneur, preceded by the clergy, and followed by

all the Catholics and a number of Greek schismatics, repaired

to the place where the image was exposed. Having incensed it,

he intoned the _Ave, Maris Stella_, and the procession began

to move. The clergy with the cross at their head commenced to

defile. Then came two young girls bearing each a banner of

white silk, whereon was depicted the spotless Virgin, these

were suspended diagonally at the entrance of the sanctuary.

Next, were two more young girls holding extended, the front of

the altar representing the reverse of the medal, and finally,

the image borne by the donor and one of his nearest relatives.

Monseigneur walked immediately after, and behind him, Mme.

Chigi holding her child in her arms and accompanied by her

sister. The people were not in the ranks of the procession,

but ranged along each side, that they might readily see the

image and kiss it as it passed, which they did with so much

eagerness and enthusiasm that there was considerable danger

of its meeting with an accident. This, however we averted

by many precautions, and at length reached the church. At

the entrance, another very beautiful triumphal arch had been

erected, surmounted by a large representation of the reverse

of the medal upon a floating banner, bearing the inscription:

'_Ave, Maria Immaculata_.' The church door was decorated with

drapery, likewise the interior of the walls, which were also

hung with flowers, verdant crowns and garlands. The image was

now placed upon a temporary throne, which had been prepared

until a more suitable one could be erected. Another High Mass

was celebrated, at the end of which the children chanted

alternately with the choir the '_Te Mariam laudamus_,' this

being the first time it was ever heard in this country. The

other individuals I have already mentioned as having been cured

through the Immaculate Mary's intercession, made each one a

votive offering to her image. One gave a veil, another a pretty

golden cross, which decorated the Blessed Virgin's bosom during

the ceremony; a third proposed having a silver crown made in

fulfillment of her vow, but she was advised to give something

else, since several others in unison had already promised a

most beautiful golden crown."

CURE OF MLLE. ÉLISE BOURGEOIS.

Letter of the Superior of the Daughters of Charity, in Troyes:

"_Troyes, March 4th, 1842._

"In 1838, we had in our work-room a young woman, named Élise

Bourgeois, aged eighteen years, who, after great suffering, was

attacked by an anchylosis in the knee. For seven months and a

half she suffered excruciatingly, and her malady had reached

the crisis. Her limb had shrunk up about two inches, and she

could not walk without the aid of a cane or some one's arm. On

the 8th of April, which was Monday in Holy Week, one of our

young Sisters told me that the Notice contained an account of a

Christian Brother, whose foot on the point of being amputated,

was cured by the sole application of the Miraculous Medal,

one night when his sufferings were greater than usual. I now

reproached myself for having allowed this poor child to be so

long afflicted, without our once thinking of having recourse

to Mary for her recovery; and ascending to the work-room, I

related to the children this account of the Christian Brother,

and told the young woman to arouse her faith, to put all her

confidence in Mary Immaculate, to apply the medal to her knee,

and commence a novena with her companions. All Tuesday night

her sufferings were great indeed, she said it seemed as if

all her bones were dislocated. Nor was she able to obtain a

moment's repose the next day. There now issued from a little

hole which had formed in her knee, a quantity of serous

matter. The day following, she arose with much difficulty,

and was taken to the chapel where she heard Holy Mass. At the

elevation, she placed her sound knee upon the bench, saying

most fervently to the good God: 'Since Thou art present, deign

to cure me, that I may be entirely Thine.' She immediately felt

something like the touch of a hand, which replaced the bones in

their natural position, and lengthened the shrunken limb; but

she did not yet dare rest upon it, for fear of injury. At the

end of Mass, she knelt to receive the priest's benediction, and

in spite of herself, she rested her weight upon the afflicted

knee. She remained in the chapel with her companions to say her

prayers and thank the Blessed Virgin for the great favor just

obtained. From that time she has never suffered the slightest

pain in the limb, and it appears perfectly sound.

"As soon as the children perceived that she was cured, they

declared it a miracle, and all hearts were filled with the

deepest emotion and gratitude. Élise now asked permission

to go to the cathedral to confession; a request I granted

reluctantly, although she assured me she was not suffering in

the slightest, yet she had not been out for seven months and

a-half, and I could scarcely realize her recovery. Several

Masses of thanksgiving were said in our chapel, during the

first of which we had the Blessed Sacrament exposed, and the

_Te Deum_ chanted. The noise of this miracle soon spread

throughout the city, and several persons came to see the healed

one. She also requested permission to go to the house of one

of her uncles, who had a very impious neighbor, that had been

informed of her miraculous recovery, but who had also been told

that he need not believe until he had seen Élise for himself.

He was perfectly convinced, acknowledged it beyond denial, and

said that in thanksgiving, a _Te Deum_ should be chanted in the

cathedral.

"I forgot to say, that our physician had seen this young woman

two months before her recovery and pronounced the disease

incurable. I had also had her examined by a surgeon, who

ordered much blistering, but without expecting a cure."

Accompanying this letter are the signatures of seven Sisters of Charity

and twenty-three other individuals, witnesses of the miracle.

* * * * *

A TRAIT OF PROTECTION. (TEXAS).

The following was sent us by Mgr. Odin, Vicar Apostolic of Texas, in a

letter dated April 11th, 1841.

"I had, in the city of Nacogdoches, an opportunity of

witnessing how Mary Immaculate loves to grant the prayers of

those who put their trust in her. A Maryland lady, on leaving

her native State to settle in Texas, had received a Miraculous

Medal; her confessor, on giving it to her, exacting the

promise, that she would never omit the daily recitation of the

little prayer, 'O Mary! conceived without sin, pray for us who

have recourse to thee!' and assuring her at the same time that

this good Mother would never allow her to die without the last

consolations of religion. She faithfully complied with her

promise. For four years she was confined to her bed, and often,

it was thought, at the point of death, but her confidence in

Mary, always inspired her with the hope of receiving the last

Sacraments ere leaving this world. As soon as she heard of our

arrival, we were summoned to her bedside; she received the Holy

Viaticum and Extreme Unction, and expired a few days after,

filled with gratitude for her celestial Benefactress.

CURES AND INCIDENTS OF PROTECTION. (CHINA).

In a letter of July, 1838, Mgr. Rameaux, Vicar Apostolic of the

provinces of the Kiang-Si and Tché-Kiang, in sending us the invocation

of the medal translated into Chinese, says, that the Chinese have

a great devotion to this little prayer, and always follow the _Ave

Maria_ by a recitation of it. He also informed us, that Mgr. de

Bézy, Vicar Apostolic of the Hou-Kouang, and M. Perboyre, Missionary

Apostolic, would transmit to us several accounts of miraculous marks

of protection. We received these accounts some months later, and quote

them as follows:

"1st. In the province of the Hou-Kouang, a Christian had been

racked by a terrible fever for two months, accompanied by

constant delirium. Three physicians had attended him, but in

vain. Finding himself on the verge of death, he sent for me to

administer the Last Sacraments. I gave him the Holy Viaticum,

but deferred Extreme Unction, seeing that my duties would

retain me in that locality some time longer. I made him a

present of the medal, and advised a novena, assuring him, that

if it were for the benefit of his soul, he would be restored to

health. He began the novena; on the seventh day, the fever left

him, and on the eighth he had recovered his usual strength.

On the ninth day of the novena he came to see me, and assured

me that he was perfectly well. I reminded him of thanking the

Blessed Virgin for so great a favor, and he promised to recite

with his friends the Rosary in her honor. But our Christian,

pre-occupied with various affairs that his sickness had

interrupted, forgot the promise. Five days after, he had a

relapse. This made him conscious of his fault; he approached

the Sacraments again, and began another novena. Though he

continued to grow worse from day to day, I still had great

hopes that the Immaculate Mary would come to his assistance,

and I assured him of his recovery before the end of the novena.

My confidence was not deceived; he recovered entirely, to

the great astonishment of all the Christians. This time his

gratitude was effectual, and the fever did not return.

"2d. In Tien-Men, a village of the same province, the

Christians, numbering about two hundred, are distinguished

for their piety and a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

For eight years, successive inundations had reduced these

Christians to extreme poverty; but this year, at the first

sign of an overflow, they had recourse to Mary Immaculate by

means of the medal, and soon the waters retired without doing

the slightest harm to the Christian territory, whilst that of

the pagans was devastated. And our Christians now return most

grateful thanks to their good Mother for the abundant harvest

they have just gathered.

"3d. The following account was sent us by M. Perboyre, in

a letter of August 10th, 1839. The reader will learn, with

interest, that this is the same missionary who, arrested a

month after for his religion, so generously confessed the Faith

one whole year amidst the most frightful tortures, and at last

consummated the sacrifice by his glorious martyrdom, September

11th, 1840.

"Whilst I was giving a mission to the Christians of the Honan

province, November, 1837, they brought to me a young woman

who had been afflicted with mental aberration for about eight

months, telling me she was very anxious to confess, and, though

she was incapable of the Sacrament, they begged me not to

refuse her a consolation she appeared to desire so earnestly.

Her sad condition of mind precluded all idea of her deriving

any benefit from the exercise of my ministry, but I heard her

out of pure compassion. In taking leave of her, I placed her

under the especial protection of the Blessed Virgin--that is,

I gave her a medal of the Immaculate Conception. She did not

then understand the value of the holy remedy she received;

but, from that moment, she began to experience its beneficial

effects, her shattered intellect improving so rapidly that,

at the end of four or five days, she was entirely changed. To

a complete confusion of ideas, to fears that kept her ever in

mortal agony, and which, I believe, were the work of the demon,

succeeded good sense, peace of mind and happiness. She made her

confession again, and received Holy Communion, with the most

lively sentiments of joy and fervor. This especial instance

of Mary's generosity will doubtless surprise you little, you

who know so well that the earth is filled with her mercy; but

your hearts will be excited anew to fervent thanksgiving for

this particular favor, which is the principal reason of my

acquainting you with it."

_1st. Letter from a Missionary of Macao, dated August 25th, 1841:_

"A widow who had but one son, reared like herself in paganism,

saw him suddenly fall under the power of the demon; his

paroxysms were so furious that all fled before him, and he ran

through the fields uttering the most lamentable cries. Anyone

that attempted to stop him was immediately seized and thrown to

the ground. His poor mother was in despair, and almost dying

of grief, when Divine Providence deigned to cast upon her a

look of compassion. One day when he was unusually tormented,

the young man fled hither and thither like a vagabond, not

knowing where he went; everyone tried to stop him, but he

brutally repulsed all who lay hands on him. The most merciful

God permitted a Christian to be among the number of those

who witnessed this spectacle. Animated with a lively faith,

and touched at the unfortunate creature's sufferings, the

Christian told all who were pursuing the demoniac to desist,

that he unaided could arrest him, that he would quiet him, and

restore him docile and gentle to his mother. This language

astonished the pagans, but they did as requested, although

thinking the Christian ran a great risk. Our good Christian

wore the Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Mary; taking it

in his hands he approached the possessed, and showing it to

him he commanded the demon to flee and leave the young man in

peace. The demon obeyed instantly, and the young man seeing

the medal in the Christian's hands, humbly prostrated himself

before the miraculous image, without knowing what it was. The

pagans, watching from a distance, were greatly astonished.

The Christian now commanded the young man to rise and follow

him, and still holding in his hand the medal, which was as a

magnet attracting the young pagan, he thus conducted him to

his mother. 'Mother,' he exclaimed, to her great consolation,

as soon as he saw her, 'Do not weep any more, I am freed from

the demon; he left me as soon as he perceived this medal.'

Imagine the poor mother's joy, on hearing these words! She was

perplexed to know whether it was a dream or a reality! The

Christian reassured her, and recounted all that had passed,

adding, that her son would never be possessed again, if she

renounced her idols and became a Christian. She promised

sincerely, and they immediately began to divest their altar

of its false gods. Then the Christian, feeling assured they

would be faithful when instructed in the truths of religion,

withdrew, laden with the thanks of both mother and son for the

inestimable service he had just rendered them."

_2d. Extract of a Letter from M. Faivre, Priest of the Mission in the

Province of Nankin, May 6th, 1841:_

"The two great means God uses for the accomplishment of good

in this Mission are our Lord's cross and the Immaculate

Mary's protection. As to the most powerful protection of Mary

conceived without sin, we have experienced it so often, and in

so especial a manner, both as regards ourselves and the welfare

of the Mission, that it would be tedious to recount in detail,

even if I wished to do so, all the favors we have received at

her maternal hands.

"Seeing the Blessed Virgin's clemency towards us and our

Christians, we have done all we could to honor her and advance

her honor among the Christians, by seeking to inspire them

with the most lively confidence in this good, holy Mother.

On the Feast of the Assumption, 1839, we consecrated this

Mission to her, and ever since it has been called Mary's

Diocese. We have given as a rule to our virgins especial

devotion to the Immaculate Conception. We have established Mary

Immaculate patroness of the seminary Providence has created

in this Mission. (This seminary now numbers six scholars who

lead lives of regularity and edification, and make rapid

progress in the study of Latin.) One of our virgins, already

advanced in age, had been for several years confined to her

bed, without the slightest hope of recovery, the thirteen

physicians who had been successively consulted having declared

her malady incurable. Seeing her end approach, she asked for

the missionary, that she might receive the Last Sacraments. He

came, and administered the Sacraments of the dying, exhorting

her to accept death in a spirit of conformity to the will of

God. She replied that she was fully resigned to His holy will,

and had no hope of deriving any benefit from human means, but

she felt convinced that if she could get a Miraculous Medal,

her health would be restored. The missionary, seeing so much

faith and confidence, gave her the one he wore, having no other

convenient just then, and recommended her to make a novena in

honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. All

the family joined her in making the novena, and from the fifth

day she was entirely cured. The attending physician, who was a

pagan, coming to see her at the end of the novena, was utterly

surprised to find her so well, and he eagerly inquired what

extraordinary remedy had been employed to effect such a change.

She replied that she had used no remedies, but the Lord of

Heaven had restored her health. The physician returned, filled

with veneration for the Lord of Heaven, who had displayed such

great power; and the virgin, in expression of her gratitude to

the Immaculate Mary, her august Benefactress, donated three

hundred piastres to repair a chapel dedicated to Mary."

CONVERSION OF M. RATISBONNE, AN ISRAELITE.

_Rome, 1842._