_The Efficacy of the 'Salve Regina.'_
The following appeared in the French journal, the _Univers:_ 'We have
already announced the departure of five Nuns of the Cross, on their
way to apply their admirable spirit of unselfishness to the exercise
of works of charity in the Diocese of Natchitoches, in America.
'After a painful misfortune at sea, these worthy Sisters have landed
at Havre. They were to set out from this port, and in a letter
addressed to the Bishop of Saint Brieux, the Mother Superior of the
Sisters of the Cross thus writes:
'"Our Sisters started about eleven, on the morning of the 10th of
November, 1856. They had received the blessing of our Chaplain, and
did not expect ever to return; but Divine Providence had disposed
otherwise. The steamer was already before Cherbourg, when, at about
eleven o'clock in the night following their departure, a fearful noise
was heard throughout the steamer. All the passengers were called to go
on deck, and they came up exclaiming: 'We are lost! We are lost!'
'"One of the boilers had burst, and the explosion had wounded six men
and set fire to the vessel. 'Have you a Priest on board?' said a lady
to one of our Sisters. 'No,' she replied. 'So much the worse,' said
the lady, 'because our death is certain.' 'No, madam,' calmly and
confidently replied Sister Mary Agatha; 'let us invoke the Most Holy
Virgin, and she will save us.' Our Sisters immediately went down on
their knees, with their hands crossed on their breast, and recited the
_Salve Regina_. Many passengers and sailors joined them, and their
cries reached the heart of the Mother of God. A few moments after,
when the Sisters, who had gone down into a cabin, were continuing
their prayers, they were informed that the fire had been miraculously
extinguished, and that there was no further danger. No one doubted
that their salvation was owing to the prayers which had been addressed
to the Blessed Virgin Mary."'--_Univers,_ 30th November, 1856.
_Prayer._--O most humble of Virgins, holy Mother of God, Mistress of
life and Lady of the universe, teach me humility and the true love of
this precious virtue. How great is the pride of my heart, who am but
dust and ashes; I have eagerly sought for the praises of men, when
shame and confusion for my innumerable infidelities should have made
me feel my nothingness! Take pity on me, O Holy Virgin; banish the
proud thoughts that arise in my soul, and let me imitate your humility
here on earth, that I may be worthy to experience, with you, the truth
of these words: 'The humble shall exult in the abundance of peace.'
Amen.
_Ejaculation._--Pray for us, O most humble of all Virgins!
_Practice._--Endeavour to-day to neglect no opportunity of practising
humility and charity.