The Miraculous Medal: Its Origin, History, Circulation, ResultsAladel, Jean-Marie
Religion
The Miraculous Medal: Its Origin, History, Circulation, Results
Aladel, Jean-Marie
Labouré, Catherine, Saint, 1806-1876; Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint; Miraculous Medal
"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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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