St Mary of the Angels Academy - Bells Yearbook (Haddonfield, NJ)

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,IA A Editorial ,-:N To a humble peasant girl of fourteen, the Blessed Mother deigned to appear and choose an intermediary. This was Bernadette Soubiroux, born in 1844 of a pious, poverty-stricken family. As a child, Bernadette was weakened by frequent asthma attacks, her schooling was limited and her knowledge wanting. Much richer, however, was this uneducated girl in her possession of the virtues of humility and simplicity. A ready smile would betray her inner peace and purity of soill. When God wishes to entrust a mission, His choice falls to the lowly, the poor in spirit. The Blessed Virgin had given Bernadette a first mission: Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here in my honor. And a chapel was constructed. The Virgin said furthermore, And I want the-people to come here in procession. The first of the pilgrimages began on April 4, 1864. Bernadette, now placed among the Saints as Saint Mary Bernard, is synonymous with Lourdes. The story of the apparitions is a beautifgl, though familiar one. The quiet, simple way in which Bernadette convinced even the most profound skeptics, has re-echoed throughout the world, transform- inguthe unknown village in the Pyrenees to a modern metropolis, where churches and chapels replace the barren cliFfs of the Grotto. V The cures at Lourdes still remain a mystery of God's eternal goodness diffused through His own Blessed Mother. The greatest miracles of Lourdes are not the physical cures, but the spiritual peace and conte'ntment with which even those still bearing physical infirmities leave Lourdes. How fitting it is, then, that our new hospital has received the title of Our Lady of Lourdes. What safety and security is to be found under the protection of her who regards ours needs, both physical and spi-nitual, with kindlinessl What is good for her children is the concdrn of this wise Mother. From the Seat of Wisdom we hear an echo of this inscription engraved above the entrance of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital: The Body ls Sometimes Curable, The Soul Ever So.

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Our Lctdy of Lourdes Hospital The world has come to know Our Lady of Lourdes as the synonym of health for soul and body. Even those who do not accept Mary as the Mother of God acknowledge the wonders of the Shrine at Lourdes where she lavishes cures and spiritual favors upon all who ask her intercession in the heavenly court. How singularly appropriate is the title of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to which Saint Mary of the Angels' Academy dedicates this yearbook. Within the hallowed walls of this hospital sickness and disease will be cured by the skill of men learned in medicine and by Sisters and nurses devoted to the cause of humanity in pain and suffering. And over all, through the years to come, will preside Our Lady of Lourdes. Does it seem too much to hope that the healing power of Lourdes will find its way into the corridors of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, there visibly and invisibly assuag- ing human ills and dispensing the beneticence of the Lady of Lourdes? When for the first time the doors of Lourdes Hospital are opened to receive patients, mayst thou, O Lady Mary, stand there to bless all who enter and leave thy home of healing so that forever it will be remembered no one has come here in vain. Out of the rock of this modern Massabielle let the waters of thy benediction flow into the minds and bodies of men, women, and children who will raise their eyes and hearts to salute thee as the Lady of Lourdes. -RT. REV. JOSEPH B. MCINTYRE