MIRACLES: 'The Bells of St. Mary’s'

In the movie, “The Bells of St. Mary’s” (1945) the Nun Mary Benedict (Ingrid Bergman) engages miserable manipulative millionaire Horace Bogardus in prayer. Administrator Father O’Malley (Bing Crosby) adds philosophy to prayer.

O’Malley says to Bogardus, “I shall pass this way but once, if there is any good that I can do for anyone let me do it now, and not put it off, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Other caring people have expressed similar feelings, including Quaker missionary Stephen Grellet (1773-1855), Queen Anne (1665-1714) — who knighted Sir Isaac Newton (1705) — and John Donne (1572-1631) — perhaps, second only to Shakespeare.

Physician Luke wrote 2,000 years ago, “Give, and will be given you…”

King David wrote 3,000 years, “I will praise THEE; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

You are a wonderful miracle. And those around you are miracles — whether they know it or not.

Planned was a third article, “Legends: Lovelock giants.”

However, precious soul Chickie Albright winged her way to heaven with an angel escort on July 5. Bedridden, her last words to us were, “Syd (Husband) was born in 1932!” People are important.

My wife Rosa and I salute Chickie and those who faithfully cared for her. There is an old hymn, “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and me.”

The movie ends with a miracle, Bogardus gives his new building to St. Mary’s School.

Bogardus (Henry Travers) next plays an angel in “It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)!”

JIM PEARL

Hayden Lake