A written request was needed for the sufferers to obtain hospitalisation, which dispensed them from making the smallest payment in respect either of their journey or their sojourn; they were fetched from their homes and conveyed back thither; and they simply had to provide a few provisions for the road.

By far the greater number were recommended by priests or benevolent persons, who superintended the inquiries concerning them and obtained the needful papers, such as doctors' certificates and certificates of birth.

And, these matters being settled, the sick ones had nothing further to trouble about, they became but so much suffering flesh, food for miracles, in the hands of the hospitallers of either sex.
"But you need only have applied to your parish priest, madame," Pierre explained.

"This poor child is deserving of all sympathy.

She would have been immediately admitted." "I did not know it, monsieur l'Abbe." "Then how did you manage ?" "Why, Monsieur l'Abbe, I went to take a ticket at a place which one of my neighbours, who reads the newspapers, told me about." She was referring to the tickets, at greatly reduced rates, which were issued to the pilgrims possessed of means.