Warned by experience, however, Baron Massy (such was the Prefect's name) was careful to avoid any further interference in religious matters .-- Trans.
In the middle of November the episcopal commission came to Lourdes to prosecute the inquiry which had been entrusted to it.

It questioned Bernadette yet once again, and studied a large number of miracles.
However, in order that the evidence might be absolute, it only registered some thirty cases of cure.

And Monseigneur Laurence declared himself convinced.

Nevertheless, he gave a final proof of his prudence, by continuing to wait another three years before declaring in a pastoral letter that the Blessed Virgin had in truth appeared at the Grotto of Massabielle and that numerous miracles had subsequently taken place there.

Meantime, he had purchased the Grotto itself, with all the land around it, from the municipality of Lourdes, on behalf of his see.