Note: In the audio at the end of this article, I made the mistake of crediting Pope Pius X with the doctrine of the Immaculate conception. It was, in fact Pius IX
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It commemorates the first appearance to Saint Bernadette Soubirous.
Our Lady of Lourdes refers to the Marian apparitions reported by Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 in the town of Lourdes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France. Here are some key points about Our Lady of Lourdes:
Apparitions: Between February 11 and July 16, 1858, Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant girl, claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary 18 times in a grotto now known as the Grotto of Massabielle.
Message: During the apparitions, the Lady identified herself as "the Immaculate Conception." This was significant because the dogma of the Immaculate Conception had been proclaimed by Pope Pius IX only four years earlier in 1854.
Miracle of the Spring: One of the notable events was when Bernadette was instructed by the apparition to dig in the ground, leading to the discovery of a spring. This spring has since become associated with numerous claims of miraculous healings, making Lourdes a major pilgrimage site for those seeking healing.
Shrine: The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes was built around the grotto where the apparitions occurred. It includes the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (or the Upper Basilica), the Rosary Basilica, and the Basilica of St. Pius X, among other structures.
Pilgrimages: Lourdes has become one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, with millions of pilgrims coming each year, especially during significant religious events like the Assumption of Mary.
Medical Bureau: In 1883, a Medical Bureau was established to scientifically evaluate claims of miraculous cures. To date, 70 cases have been officially recognized by the Catholic Church as miracles.
Cultural Impact: The apparitions and the subsequent events at Lourdes have had a profound impact on Catholic spirituality, influencing art, literature, and even the development of modern medical approaches to faith healing.
While my daughter, Megan Bernadette was still young, I bought this book in the hopes that she would one day read about her namesake. Things have gone tragically wrong since then and she never read it. About 30 years later, I decided to read it myself and was overpowered by the grace and strength of this person to whom our Lady appeared. I recommend to all of you to read it and watch the classic movie telling the same story.
Last year, John Traynor's cure became the 70th official miracle from this place.
I have been a devotee for decades. Very few things give me the strength to go on like Our Lady's words to Bernadette:
I cannot promise you happiness in this world, only in the next.
On September 29th, I will actually be there. It gives me chills. A short audio for your enjoyment is below.
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