Note 20 — Chapter XIII · OF WHAT RELIGION IS FATHER IGNATIUS?
Reading edition
Father Ignatius has himself described this service in his book entitled “Brother Placidus,” and records, in connection with it, a wonderful “miracle,” which he declares actually occurred in his monastery. It is hard to understand how any person outside a lunatic asylum can believe in such a “miracle”:—
“Matins were over at five minutes before midnight. A procession quickly formed in the Refectory; and, as the hour of joy and gladness struck, the figure of the holy Child was borne in state to the crib, with lighted tapers, incense, and chanting—
‘Ye faithful, approach ye, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.’
The infant figure is lying on its linen swaddling bands, in the straw; the countless tapers are flaming, amid clouds of sweetest incense, and shouts of triumph song. The little figure was charmingly lifelike—the head slightly raised, the hand also lifted, as if in blessing. In due order all present approached to kiss the sacred emblems of Incarnate Love. With long, lighted tapers they approached, and kneeling down, kissed the upraised hand. First the Abbot; then Fathers Theodore, Philip, and Drostan; after them Brothers Pancras, Oswald, Ethelred, and then Placidus. How pale the fair face of the young novice looks! How his hand is trembling, as he grasps the burning taper!… The novice has been longing for this moment—longing to press his burning lips upon that infant hand—longing to make his adoring confession of faith in Mary’s little Babe. ‘O my Jesus, my King, my God, let me come and adore Thee.…’ With words like these bursting from his heart, but all unheard by aught save Him for whom they all were uttered, Brother Placidus knelt to kiss the little hand. ‘Oh! oh!’ burst from the lips of the children, while the elder brothers fell involuntarily on their knees. Brother Placidus had kissed the holy Child, and, as he did so, the figure became animated with life, and bowed its head, and returned the kiss, and the little hand had been laid on the novice’s head. The taper dropped from his hand, and he fell into a deep swoon, on the floor, before the shrine of the Nativity” (pages 115-118).