SCOTTISH PILGRIMS AT LOURDES

New Zealand Tablet, 7 October 1920, Page 32

SCOTTISH PILGRIMS AT LOURDES

WONDERFUL CURES EFFECTED. i '■'• ”1: :;K ' P ~■' ■— 4 (-» 7 ’ -■* The Scottish national pilgrimage to Lourdes was a great demonstration that the faith is far from dead in Scotland. The party numbered about 1200, the great majority of whom came from the Glasgow archdiocese. Their -Lordships the Right Rev. Henry G. Graham, Bishop-Auxiliary, Edinburgh, and the Right Rev. James W. McCarthy, Bishop of Galloway, accompanied the party. The religious fervor of the pilgrims found particularly warm expression in the processions of the Blessed Sacrament, which took place nightly. In these processions the pilgrims were headed by three pipers belonging to St. Peter’s Boys’ Band, Partick, accompanied by their band-major (who, by the way is a Presbyterian). Many Remarkable Cures. A Catholic Times (London) representative had interviews with some of the priests who took part in the pilgrimage, and they were most enthusiastic in their assurances of the great success which attended it. Some 250 invalids sought restoration to health at the famous shrine, and it is stated that nearly all of these report appreciable improvement in their condition. Cures are also reported. Perhaps the most remarkable was that of Jessie Spalding, Lauriston, Edinburgh, who, as the result of an accident which occurred some years ago, was suffering from contracted muscles and a broken bone in one of her legs. Her foot was twisted out of shape. * After Immersion in the waters of the Grotto, her leg was completely restored to its normal condition. She was able to dispense with the special boot which she had been wearing and to use an ordinary boot. Her lameness has disappeared and she is now able to walk without any difficulty and has dispensed with her crutch.

Another of the cures reported is that of Mr. M. Graham, 86 Whitevale Street, Glasgow. Mr. Graham, who is a miner, met with an accident while working in an Uddingston mine in 1915. Two ribs were fractured, his head was badly bruised, and a cartilage had to be removed from his left knee. According to the doctors, his left lung had also been injured, and he was attacked by tuberculosis. Dr. MacGregor, Woodside Place, Glasgow, who examined him some time after the accident, described his injuries as serious and permanent. This opinion was confirmed by another doctor last year, when Mr. Graham, owing to the condition of his leg, met with a further accident while engaged in a light occupation. Mr. Graham is possessed of a robust faith, and he had long been of the opinion that if he could get to Lourdes, he would be cured. The result has justified his expectations. He has been completely cured and he has been able to discard the crutches which he was hitherto obliged to use.

A third cure reported is that of Margaret Dermody, Stirling, who was• suffering from running sores, which are now perfectly healed. The cure occurred suddenly while the girl was praying in the church. The only indications left of her former trouble are red marks where the eruptions had been. Daniel Russell, 2 College Street, Dumbarton, who, as the result of exposure, was suffering from an affection of the spine and legs, is now considerably improved. His feet had a permanent turn outwards, but after bathing the left foot became straight, and the right foot is now only slightly turned. Charles Sweeney, 15 Clyde" Street, Dumbarton, who had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, and had been able only to hobble along on crutches, was relieved of all pain after bathing and was able to dispense with his crutches. • Mrs. M. Burns, London Street, Glasgow, had her right arm smashed in an accident some years ago, with the result that she was unable to use it. Before leaving for Lourdes, she got a medical certificate stating that the doctors could not do anything further

for her. After bathing at the Grotto, she found that she could raise her arm to her head. She now feels no pain in it, and she can use it in a manner which was previously impossible. Needless to say, the many cures reported have aroused considerable enthusiasm among Scottish Catholics, and, as a result, devotion to Our Lady will be greatly stimulated.