ENGLISH PILGRIMS AT LOURDES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 29 November 1901, Page 4

ENGLISH PILGRIMS AT LOURDES.

Remarkable Case of a Paralysed Girl. The English pilgrims, who arrived at Lourdes in September, over one hundred strong, have bsen fully occupied during the stay with devotional exercises, telegraphs a "Daily Mail'' correspondent with the pilgrimage. Each morning and afternoon pilgrimage services have been held, at which all the pilgrims attended. Services have been held in the crypt of the Basilica'and in the Grotto alternately. The infirm and sick pilgrams have been in the bath several times daily.

At the conclusion of the afternoon service recently the English visitors assembled in a body in front of the Rosary Church and witnessed a great procession of the Blessed Sacrament. The scenes viewed and the fervent faith observed at Lourdes have excited the admiration of the pilgrims. t unday the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin was o great day for the pilgrims. In the afternoon they walked in procession, headed by the banner of St George, from their hotel to the crypt. Here, after prayers and hymns, and a sermon by the Rev. Dean Vere, they proceeded in a body to the front of the churci and with the sick waited for the passage of the Blessed Sacrament. This is one of the most thrilling sights in Lourdes, the people praying in most fervent tones for the cure of the afflicted.

Suddenly near the steps of the Basilica, after the Host had passed, there was a loud shriek, and a great commotion. Shouts of "Hosanna" rent the air, and the priests and officials had great difficulty in restraining the people from breaking out and crowding round. When quiet was restored an empty bed was seen, and a young woman was observed kneeling on the steps surrounded by officials.

After Benediction she was taken to the attestation bureau for examination. She had been paralysed, and had come for the fourth time with the Belgian pilgrimage. When she was seen walking up the steps the excitement was intense, many pilgrims clapping their hands with joy. This thrilling sight was witnessed by a large number of English pilgrims. In the evening the visitors were given the post of honour at the torchlight procession, at the conclusion of which an enormous crowd of pilgrims gathered in front of the Basilica, and were blessed by the Bishop of Tarbes. The Bishop then approached the English people, and asked them to sing a hymn. The pilgrims immediately sang "Faith of our Fathers.'' At the conclusion the Bishop said a few congratulatory words, to which tha English responded with three hearty cheers, much to the surprise of the pilgrims of other nationalities present.