Chapter 7
At last – a name!
“Do you know something?
Why do you look so happy?”
Now Baron Oscar Massy, Prefect of the Hautes-Pyrenees, takes his
cue to assume a major role in the drama. Here is a man of distinction. Only
ten months earlier Bl. Pope Pius IX had made him a Commander of the
Order of St. Gregory. Like Mayor Lacade, he is a practising Catholic. He
also rejects the validity of Bernadette’s visions and believes miracles
disappeared from the earth with the Apostles. This is the eve of the
climactic final day of the fortnight’s attention requested by Bernadette’s
lady. Under his orders, the defenders of law and order plan carefully for the
morrow.
Orders go out to gendarmes from surrounding regions to attend at
Lourdes in full regulation field dress, armed with loaded carbines and
pistols. At the castle the Commander hears an urgent request for all
available troops.
Fifteenth vision: Thursday 4th March
Tension and expectation has never been higher. This is the last day
of the requested fortnight. Surely, the lady will produce some fitting,
dramatic climax. Inns and hotels are overflowing. From town and farm in
neighbouring valleys, roads are jammed with people on the move, some in
vehicles, some on horseback, many walking. Some recite prayers and hope
to see the Blessed Virgin. Some country folk walk all through the night.
Many camp overnight at the Massabielle. Mlle. Jeanne Adrian has been at
the grotto since 11 pm the previous day. She says she feels neither cold nor
discomfort from her cramped position; instead, “A sweet joy at the thought
of seeing Bernadette.”
The pilgrims include the prayerful, the curious and the skeptical,
from all classes, and here all are equal. Expectancy is high. Perhaps the rose
bush will blossom miraculously.
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