The heroine of this modest story was a little negress, who died in the odor of sanctity in 1855 at the Monastery of the Visitation in Piemont. She was not quite nine years of age, and was called Amna, but took the name of Josephine when she was baptized at the Convent of the Visitation. Rescued from captivity, and consequently from infidelity and dishonor, by a holy missionary, Fr. Olivieri, the poor little one, scarcely seven years of age, and already almost wasted away by the most barbarous treatment, was brought to .Italy by the good priest who rescued her, and with another little negress...

The particulars of the accounts given here are taken from the most authentic sources: mostly, from the excellent and admirable work of my friend Mr. Henri Lasserre, already known throughout France, and far beyond it. Scrupulously accurate, Mr. Lasserre wished to see everything, hear everything, and judge of everything for himself. He passed entire months at Lourdes and in its vicinity, sparing neither expense nor fatigue to go and question those who are said to have been miraculously cured; hence his testimony is rather that of the actors themselves and of the witnesses to the prodigies which...