A CRY IN THE NIGHT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15399, 16 July 1914, Page 5

A CRY IN THE NIGHT.

HOPES AND SUFFERINGS AT LOURDES. CONSOLATION OF RELIGION. The second day of pilgrimage is necessarily Viuioter that the first (writes the Lourdes correspondent of the London "Times''). I atceuded ths morning the Vi a Dolorosa—the pathway which lias been constructed on the wooded hill that rises on the left of the Basilica. On its s'.de at brief intervals have been erected tableaux representing the 14 stopping-peaces on the Way of tho Cross. At each pilgrims were kneeling in quiet praver. On tlio crest of the hill where- the Crucifixion is depicted with startling reaJ.sm men and women knelt side bv side in lartro numbers, pleading silcntiv for their sick friends far below in 'the hospital of the grotto. The physician attached to tlho grotto, with whom 1 had a talk to-day, told mo that he makes a point of investigating personally cverv miraelo which takes place at the shrine'. The. sick bring with them as far as iiossiblo medical certificates .stating "the. nature., duration, and extent of the diseases from which they suffer. Thev are examined on arrival and advised as to whether or not they are -wcli enough to undergo immersion. BENEFIT AND CURE. It is interesting to note that many of those who have received great benefit have not been immersed, in the pooi. With the present pilgrimage are Irishmen, Scotsmen and oven a, few from the Coicn.es. Many of these have been to Lourdes before. Several of them have returned to give ilianks for cures wrought upon them since their last visit. They date the beginning of-their recovery from then. I saw a priest w'ho, until ho came to the shrine two years ago, was a hopeless cripple with paralysis in both legs. He was walking about amongst the sick, apparently in perfect heaJth. Two of the English pifKrints declare that they have received benefit already.

Last night I witnessed the famous torchl'.glit proces-ion from the square in front of the Chgapel of 'ihe Rosary, by way of a great semi-circular Viadtu-i of Arches, and around the garden. Tho night was duil and lowering, with an ever-present threat of rain. The pilgrims first gathered in front of the chapel, eadh of them carrying a long wax taper. They were 'led by the clergy, chanting as they walked. Tho door of tlie Basilica, the lesser doors at, tbe lower end of the. viaduct, and .the statue of the Virgin in the great square, wero illuminated' by a -multitude of electric lamps. Above, the castle towered—a black mass aga.inst the sky. The procession descended to the square ; the chant died away. Around tho great staue of the Virgin worshippers were whispering their evening prayers. The statue—a blaze of light in its little garden of roses —stood benign and kindly.

This morning the Pilgrims' Mads was celebrated at the little chapel' in the Grotto where tho miraculous appearanco of the Virgin is believed to have taken place, and where there is now displayed the strangest col.'eotion of crutches, leg-irons, and staffs vhich it is p-cssibje to imagine. I noticed amonc these offerings a long pig-tail of hunum hair decorated with ribbons. A verv large number of English people attended. One felt immediately a thrill-on' this the great day of the pilgrimage, and realised already that cvery~thought was directed to the ceremony in the afternoon, to the supreme moment wden the Sacrament would be borne down the long lines- of wa'tina; sick and the blessing of the Church bestowed.

Towards midday, while the sick were being carried back to the hospital, friends and relatives 'rod once again the Via-Dolorosa-to the hills-. On each of tin-, stations a short address was delivered by . the priest, and ;•-. oi-y few moments those taking part, kneit in prayer. Curious, indeed, was the effect of those halting journeys, producing a .sense of devotion profounder than that of the ceremonial at the Grotto. It seemed to stay feverish anxiety and awaken a calm and more comforting assurance. Fervour was hushed to a 'thrilling silence. THE SUPREME HOUR, It was even sued a silence that greeted the procession of the Sacrament four hours later in the square of the Chape] of the Rosary. Aga'n the sick were laid out on their stretchers and hand-carriages, side by side. Again the vast crowds knelt in a vast &£ony of faith, of suspense, and of supplication. Again that cry broke forth, so full of hope,, triumph, and despair, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us! Mary, Mother of God, pray,for us!" • Again the golden monstrance, holding 1 the Sacred Wafer, was lowered in bless'ng upon each one in- turn of the de- ' ceased and afflicted, and the diiant swelled in subdued cadence, "Ave! A\-e! j Ave! Maria!" Tlr>. at last was the supreme hour the moment of moments. I And what of the sick and diseased? : Once more it is not possible to s; y. | There was no startling cure, such as i has undoubtedly occurred at this jylace from time to time, no easting away of crutches; no sudden deliverance from blindness or paralysis; yet a great miracle without question was tho expression on every face, the enlightening of souls which seemed to transcend all pain, a joy that was clouded by no shadow of disappointment. That, indeed, is for me. at any rate, tho unforgettable . experience of Lourdes. i With the haunting echo of the "Ave!'' \ and the picture of the great torchlight processions hke a fiery serpent winding '. among the dim trees and under lofty ; towers, there will ever be associated in my mind a vision of faith great enough to seek and to expect miracles, yet in the hour, as it of reaction and disappointment,* stedfa-jt, abiding, unshakable.