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a ST. LANDRY PARISH article
Cultures
of Acadiana |
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a ST. LANDRY PARISH article
Cultures
of Acadiana |
Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser, September 30, 1997
Berchmans was born in Diest, Belgium, on March 15, 1599. As a young man he studied to become a Jesuit priest, but died in 1621, before he could be ordained.
I n 1865, the year before Mary's illness, Pope Pius XI had approved Berchnams' beatification, the first step toward recognition by the Catholic Church as a saint. The beatification brought Berchmans into the public eye, and perhaps stirred a special devotion from young Mary, who feared that - like Berchmans - her illness would keep her from taking her final vows to become a nun of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
Mary was born in New London, Canada, on Sept. 20, 1846, and was reared a Presbyterian. When she was 16, she took a trip to St. Louis, where she met some friends who introduced her to the Catholic faith. She was received into the church on May 2, 1862, and four years later - though even then not in good health - began preparations to become a nun. The Sacred Heart Sisters sent her to Louisiana to complete her training, thing that the gentler climate here might help her.
In September 1866, she arrived in Grand Coteau, where she hoped to receive the habit of the Sacred Heart Sisters a month later.
We have her own account of the events preceding the Miracle of Grand Coteau.
On the 19th of October I was obligated to repair to the infirmary, and I did not leave it until the 15th of December, the day after the one on which God was pleased to manifest His Power and Mercy in my behalf. During all this time I was dangerously ill, vomiting blood two and three times a day, with constant fever and violent headaches the greater part of the time; and still the pain in my side continued.
My sufferings were intense, and I had a most unsurmountable disgust for food of all kind. Yielding, however, to the reiterated solicitations of the doctor in attendance, I consented to try and force myself to take some nourishment. I did so, and the result was that it brought on spasms, and I lay unconscious for twelve hours. This was on the seventh of November, at which time Extreme Unction (the Church's rite for the dying) was administered.
From this time till the seventh of December, I suffered a great deal ... on the seventh, a ... change for the better manifested itself but relief was of short duration. On the very next day I was worse than I had ever been before. All hopes of getting better abandoned me. I felt I was getting weaker, and my sufferings were so intolerable that it seemed to me that it was impossible to bear them long.
This was on the tenth of December. On the eleventh the Father gave me the last plenary indulgence. One of our dear Mothers brought me a picture of Blessed Berchmans on the sixth and said that the community was going to make a novena to Blessed Berchmans.
The third day of my novena, my illness seemed to assume a more alarming aspect, and for five days, I suffered intensely. During the last three, especially, I endured the pangs of death. My body was drawn up with pain, my hands and feet were cramped and as cold as death. All my sickness had turned to inflammation of the stomach and throat. My tongue was raw and swollen. I was not able to speak for two days. At each attempt to utter a word, the blood would gush from my mouth....
I do not think I had eaten an ounce of food for about forty days. During that time I had taken nothing but a little coffee or tea, which for a week before I recovered I could no longer take. And for two weeks no medicine had been administered. The doctor said it was useless to torture me more. So he stopped giving me any. The last two days I was unable to take even a drop of water.
Friday morning, after a night of intense suffering, the Reverend Father gave me Holy Communion in Viaticum (Communion given to those in danger of death). I, as well as the good Father and all the community, thought this was for the last time, for death seemed assuredly near at hand. The Father said a few words to encourage me, saying that very soon I would enter upon the long voyage of eternity.
Being unable to speak, I said in my heart: "Lord Thou Who seest how I suffer, if it be for your honor and glory and the salvation of my soul, I ask through the intercession of Blessed Berchmans a little relief and health. Otherwise give me patience to the end. I am resigned." Then, placing the image of Blessed Berchmans on my mouth, I said "If it be true that you can work miracles, I wish you would do something for me, If not, I will not believe in you."
I can say without scruple or fear of offending God: I heard a whisper "Open your mouth." I did so as well as I could. I felt someone, as it were, put their finger on my tongue, and immediately I was relieved. I then heard a voice say in a distinct and loud tone: "Sister, you will get the desired habit. Be faithful. Have confidence. Fear not."
I had not yet opened my eyes. I did not know who was at my bedside. I turned round and said aloud" "But, Mother Moran, I am well!"
Then, standing by my bedside, I saw a figure. He held in his hands a cup, and there were some lights near him. At this beautiful sight, I was afraid. I closed my eyes and asked: "Is it Blessed Berchmans?" He answered: 'Yes, I come by the order of God. Your sufferings are over. Fear not!"
I opened my eyes, but he was gone. The sister infirmarian had gone down to the chapel to receive Holy Communion. I sat up in bed I felt no pain. I was afraid it was an illusion and that my cure was not real. I turned over in my bed, without pain. I then exclaimed: "It is true. Blessed Berchmans has cured me."
The sister infirmarian soon returned from the chapel and made her art of thanksgiving before a little altar in the infirmary. I did not speak to her. In about three quarters of an hour Reverend Mother Superior came to see me, fearing at the same time to find me in the agonies of death. But what was her great surprise, when she met my eyes, which had not been opened for six days, and heard me wish her "Good morning."
Reverend Mother in utter amazement drew back and exclaimed: "And what, those eyes!" Then seeing my mouth perfectly healed, she added: "That mouth"
I told her that I was cured and had recovered the use of my eyes and tongue, and craved permission to get up. Mother then approached and kissed me.
She then questioned me over and over again, and on my repeated assurance that I was well and felt no pain, she hastened to call in several persons of the community to see me.
As yet Mother had no idea of the miracle and feared that this sudden change for the better was but the forerunner of my approaching death. She therefore continued refusing me the desired permission to get up.
At six o'clock that evening I walked across the infirmary to have my bed made. (According to eyewitnesses she danced with a chair around the infirmary.) Next morning for breakfast I ate some chicken and toast and drank a cup of coffee. At twelve o'clock I ate a hearty dinner, and at half past twelve I finally received the desired permission to get up and dress, which I did with as much alacrity of heart as activity of body.
The doctor called to see me that evening, and what was his surprise to see me meet him at the door. He could not realize the fact, and in his amazement he repeated over and over again: "What, Miss Mary, up and dressed? Is it possible? How extraordinary!" He was so overcome that he almost fainted, and Mother, perceiving it, said: "It is you, doctor who needs a chair!"
Doctor examined the condition of my mouth and tongue, testified to their being well and that my appearance was that of a person in perfect health. The good doctor next inquired if I had eaten anything, and when the ... remnants of my dinner (were) brought to him, he expressed anew his surprise, and once more declared that no human means could have produced such an effect.
As for myself I felt as well as I ever did in my life. I ate five times during that day, assisted kneeling at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament given in our chapel, without experiencing the slightest fatigue. The next day I assisted at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at half past six, and then on the following day, Monday, December 17, my dearest hopes were accomplished: I received the holy habit of the order of the Sacred Heart.
For the glory of Blessed John Berchmans, whose name be ever blessed! I deem it my duty to declare here, that from the moment of my cure I never experienced the slightest return of my former ailments. My flesh and strength returned instantaneously, and I was able to follow all the exercises of the community life from that moment. So that, after two months' cruel suffering and great attenuation of bodily strength from the want of food. I was in an instant restored to perfect health without a moments convalescence ...
In the archives at the convent at Grand Coteau there are sworn statements of' two doctors, James G. Campbell and Edward Millard, who examined Mary Wilson before and after her cure.
From Dr. Millard's statement of Feb. 4, 1867: "Not being able to discover any marks of convalescence, but an immediate return to health from a severe and painful illness, I am unable to explain the transition by any ordinary natural laws."
Also in the convent archives are sworn testimonies from three Jesuit priests from St. Charles College who helped Mary through her illness and had given her the last sacraments. Each swears the cure was real, abrupt, and complete.
On Feb. 22, 1867, an official account of' the cure and the supporting documents were sent to the Archbishop of New Orleans. After his investigation, he forwarded the documents to Rome. In 1888, Pope Leo XIII accepted the Miracle of Grand Coteau as authentic and canonized John Berchmans as a saint of the Church.
Mary Wilson would not know this. On Jan. 27, 1867, she received another vision of John Berchmans. He told her that she would die before the end of her novitiate. On Aug. 14, she had a "cerebral attack" and she died three days later.
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