The Story of a False Mystic.

In France, during the turmoil caused by the League, impostors flourished. A girl who came to Paris from Rheims, by name Nicole Tavernier, acquired an extraordinary reputation for sanctity. Daily she passed into a trance when she spoke at great length, her words being taken down as divine revelations. She was supposed to have the spirit of prophecy, and it was widely bruited that her predictions were infallibly true. On one occasion when in the Church of the capuchins at Meudon, she was kneeling not far from Madame Acarie(Blessed Mary of the Incarnation), the latter remarked that Nicole had withdrawn, and remained absent for nearly an hour. Madame Nicole did not notice her return, but saw she was in her former place. After the Saintly woman asked: “Where did you go, Nicole, and remain away so long?” To which Nicole replied: “I have been to Tours to warn a certain noblemen who were met to plot and cabal that they must abandon their projects, since their intentions are very hurtful to the true faith, and if carried into effect, will work terrible mischief.” At Paris Nicole was indeed daily consulted by statesmen even and politicians, as well as by Priests and Religious. Two prominent persons, however, Madame Acarie and the Cardinal de Bérulle, placed no faith in Nicole Tavernier. Madame Acarie openly said that she feared that the girl was terribly deluded and deceived, that it must be an evil spirit who had taken possession of her and was simulating all kinds of mystical phenomena to draw many into error, and hence the prediction could be well explained. The sudden voyage to Tours was far from being proved to be a fact, and even if it were, it is well known that these aerial transvections are by no means impossible to the demon, as so many witchcraft trials have shown times without number. Moreover Nicole was found out in a many good lies and cozenage. She was questioned by two capuchins, experts in these matters, and they found the whole thing was a trickery and obsession. When the girl was freed from these dark influences and the devil cast out, she proved to be in herself a rather stupid and ignorant rustic. In spite of all persuasions, she married a low churl,and soon ceased to practice religion. All Paris were scandalized and deeply shocked at such an exposure. However, eventually, Nicole was reconciled by Pére de Lingendes. A detailed account of the extraordinary events is given by the Bishop of Orleans in his study LA Bienheureuse Marie de l’incarnation, new edition, Paris, 1854.

(Physical Phenomena of Mysticism, Montague Summers)

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