The uncountable graces of Lourdes

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
O Mary, who appeared to Bernadette at Lourdes, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
O Mary, to whom Zelie went for a cure, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
O Mary, who at Lourdes converted Felix LeSeur, pray for us!

​Yesterday was the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, but I've decided with the approval of St. Bernadette (who hasn't objected, so I'm taking that as consent) to extend Our Lady's feast for at least an octave this year . . . After all, she appeared to Bernadette 18 times, not just once . . . and you, like me, might still have some dear sick ones who haven't gotten their miracle yet . . . so let's keep going! Let's keep turning to Our Lady who, although she may be busy bringing God's healing and peace to someone else's sick dear ones just now, will surely - like any good mom - eventually bend down if we just keep tugging on her sleeve and calling her name. 

I found the most wonderful little plug for Our Lady of Lourdes yesterday. You may know the story of Elisabeth Leseur. She was a lovely young French Catholic woman who married a not so lovely and not so very Catholic French man, Felix, who kept his atheism somewhat hidden from her until they were wed. Then he worked with every power of his soul to destroy the faith of his dearly beloved and believing wife. To be fair, Felix thought he was doing her a favor, poor dope.

Happily, she ended up becoming more Catholic, and enlisted God to convert him. Good plan, Elisabeth! But what I found yesterday - which contains the sequel to Elisabeth's fervent prayers and self offering - is a pithy account by none other than Venerable Fulton Sheen who heard it from none other than Felix himself, of how Our Lady of Lourdes got involved. Here it is:

Our Lady of Lourdes and the Conversion of Dr. Felix Leseur
​by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

Just at the turn of the (20th) century, there was a woman married in Paris, just a good, ordinary Catholic girl, to an atheist doctor, Dr. Felix Leseur. He attempted to break down the faith of his wife and she reacted and began studying her faith.

In l905, she was taken ill and tossed on a bed of constant pain until August 1914. When she was dying, she said to her husband,

“Felix, when I am dead, you will become a Catholic and a Dominican priest.”

“Elizabeth, you know my sentiments. I’ve sworn hatred of God, I shall live in that hatred and I shall die in it.”

She repeated her words and passed away. She died in her husband’s arms at the early age of 47.

Rummaging through her papers, Felix found her will. She wrote: “In l905, I asked almighty God to send me sufficient sufferings to purchase your soul. On the day that I die, the price will have been paid. Greater love than this no woman has than she who lays down her life for her husband.”

Dr. Leseur, the atheist, dismissed her will as the fancies of a pious woman.
He decided to write a book against Lourdes.

He went down to Lourdes to write against Our Lady. However, as he looked up into the face of the statue of Mary, he received the great gift of faith. So total, so complete was it, that he never had to go through the process of juxtaposition and say, “How will I answer this or that difficulty?” He saw it all. At once.

The then reigning pontiff was Benedict XV.

Then came World War I. Hearing of the conversion of Dr. Leseur, Pope Benedict XV sent for him. Dr. Leseur went in the company of Fr. Jon Vinnea, orator of Notre Dame. Dr. Leseur recounted his conversion and said that he wanted to become a Dominican priest. Holy Father said, “I forbid you. You must remain in the world and repair the harm which you have done.”

The Holy Father then talked to Fr. Vinnea and then again to Dr. Leseur and said: “I revoke my decision. Whatever Fr. Vinnea tells you to do, you may do.”

In the year 1924, during Lent, I, Fulton J. Sheen, made my retreat in the Dominican monastery in Belgium. Four times each day, and 45 minutes in length, I made my retreat under the spiritual guidance of Father Felix Leseur of the Order of Preachers, Catholic Dominican priest, who told me this story.

*   *   *

How's that for an answer to prayer?
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Dear Blessed Mother, we have so much we need! We have loved ones away from the Faith and sacraments. We have dear ones who are sick with various illnesses, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. And we ourselves are badly in need of your sweet maternal love, wounded as we are. Do take our darling Jesus and offer Him to the Father for all our needs. Bless with your presence, your kindness, your affection and your own prayers - which mean miracles because you are the dearest daughter, spouse, and mother of God - bless the Church, the world, and our homes and hearts. We ask this in Jesus' adorable name!

Draw me, dear Mother, and we will run!!!