Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
February 11
February 11
One of the most renowned apparitions of Mary began on February 11, 1858. The Blessed Mother appeared to a girl named Bernadette Soubrious.
Bernadette, a 14 year-old peasant girl and was the oldest daughter among the six children of Francois Soubrious and Louise Casterot. Her family was one of the poorest in town. Her father had no work so she had to exert extra effort for her family even though she was sickly.
One day her family allowed her to collect firewood, along with her two friends. During that time, the people cooked their food and heated their house with firewood. Bernadette and her friends passed by the rock of Massabielle a rocky outcropping in a wild and isolated part of the countryside. After a little while, her friends decided to cross the river that ran near the rock. Bernadette wanted to go with them but the water was too cold and she didn’t want her feet to get wet. But she didn’t want to be left behind by her friends so she went to the other side and removed her shoes. All of a sudden, Bernadette heard a loud noise. And when she turned her back she caught sight of a very beautiful Lady clothed in white with a rosary hanging on her arm standing in a grotto in the rock. The beautiful Lady smiled at her and summoned her to pray the rosary and they prayed together.
Bernadette told her mother what she saw. Her mother didn’t believe her and prevented Bernadette to visit the place again. Bernadette obeyed her mother. When news about the incident spread, some of Bernadette’s friends asked Madame Soubrious if Bernadette could go back to the grotto. This time her mother allowed her.
The Lady appeared again to Bernadette and asked her to come for 15 days. The Lady appeared to her every time she was there. Many people who came with Bernadette could not see the Lady but they knew that Bernadette saw something so special and beautiful because she would look very happy.
Bernadette repeated to the people what the Lady told her. She was told to tell people to pray and do penance. All must pray especially for the conversion of the sinners. The Lady wanted them to strengthen their faith in the Lord, and have a pure heart as a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The Lady also told Bernadette to tell the priests to have a procession and to build a chapel in the place where she had appeared. The Lady of the grotto made a new spring of water and told Bernadette to drink and wash herself in it.
After 18 appearances of the Lady to Bernadette, the lady finally told her that she is the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette was confused about what she heard and kept on asking herself what those words meant? But as she walked through the road going to the priest’s house, she kept on remembering them and repeated it to herself many times so she would remember them correctly. The village priest knew what those words meant and was very surprised after hearing Bernadette.
The Lady in the grotto who appeared to Bernadette was the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. She is the Immaculate Conception because she was created in her mother’s womb without original sin because she was going to be the Mother of Jesus.
The little village of Lourdes had been greatly honored by the appearances of the Blessed Mother. Millions of people go to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Because of great faith to the Blessed Mother many people of different illness were miraculously healed and testimonies of renewed faith fill many books.
What is the message of Lourdes?
First, we are called to look at the grace and holiness of Christ in Mary, become converted, and be healed spiritually. It is a call to enter fully into the mystery of the redemption.
The second message was that of prayer. In order to be more fully conformed to the will of God, we must pray without ceasing. Prayer leads us to the Spirit of God.
The third part of the message was Bernadette herself – simple Bernadette. She was humble and poor. She could not explain things very well. But, she had a pure heart. And, it was this purity of heart that opened her up to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit and to experience the fruits of the redemption.
Our Lady made some rather bizzare requests of Bernadette – to eat grass like salad, to dig in the dirt and mud with her hands to find a healing stream. Though humbling, Bernadette willingly performed these tasks despite the fact that she was laughed at and mocked by the townspeople. Mary’s appearance and Bernadette’s response present a picture of what it means to love God with our whole heart, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is a visible expression of purity of heart that calls us "Be it done unto me completely and fully according to your word. Accomplish in my life fully what you want to accomplish." This is in contrast to our culture where one’s own will, pleasures, desires, and interests take precedence. In our self-centered culture, the motto is, "Be it done according to my will."
Thus, the message of Lourdes is a call to personal conversion, prayer, and charity.
Let us follow the example of Bernadette in her purity of heart, obedience to God's will, and love for God and neighbor. May our hearts be purified by the Holy Spirit, as we follow in the footsteps of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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| a humble 14-year-old French girl in a grotto near the town of Lourdes in France asking for, among other things, prayer and penance for sinners.
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A PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES
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| Blessed Virgin Mary |
♥ Our prayer time today will include the Rosary (of course) and a special prayer for this feast day.
Litany of our Lady of Lourdes
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy; Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us; Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven; Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world; Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit; Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God; Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary; Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God; Pray for us.
Mother of Christ; Pray for us.
Mother of our Savior; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, help of Christians; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, source of love; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the poor; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the handicapped; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of orphans; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of all children; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of all nations; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the Church; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, friend of the lonely; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, comforter of those who mourn; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, shelter of the homeless; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, guide of travelers; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, strength of the weak; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, refuge of sinners; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, comforter of the suffering; Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, help of the dying; Pray for us.
Queen of heaven; Pray for us.
Queen of peace; Pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Spare us O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us.
Christ hear us; Christ graciously hear us.
Let us pray: Grant us, your servants, we pray you, Lord God, to enjoy perpetual health of mind and body. By the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrows, and enjoy everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
♥ As well as this beautiful novena prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes:
O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted,
you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests.
Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)
LINKS
Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feast of Our Lady throughout the Year
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