In December 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception to the world, stating that from the moment of Mary’s conception in the womb of her mother, St Anne, the Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, kept free from all stain of original sin.” A little more than three years later, starting on February 11, 1858, a young lady appeared in apparitions to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, a young girl from a poor family in the village of Lourdes in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains of France. In this series of apparitions, on March 25, the lady identified herself to Bernadette with the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” At the time of the apparitions, Bernadette’s family was only nominally Catholic, not very fervent in practicing their faith. In 1862, the local Bishop approved of these apparitions as being a visitation from our Blessed Mother. Pope John Paul II, very strong in his devotion to the Blessed Mother, visited Lourdes three times. Bernadette herself became a nun with the Sister of Charity and died at the age of 35 after a life of very fragile health. Bernadette herself was canonized a saint in 1933.
Lourdes is one of the major pilgrimage sites in the world, attracting more than 5 million pilgrims a year to this day. Many miraculous cures are attributed to Our Lady of Lourdes and the blessed waters that are found in a stream there. Having been to Lourdes myself, and having been immersed in the healing waters, I can attest to the holiness of that place and the faith of those who come there on pilgrimage. Just like the deaf-mute who came to Jesus for healing and wholeness, so many of us are looking for healing and peace in our lives in different way. Our relationship with our Blessed Mother is a source of healing for many Catholics.
As we commemorate Our Lady of Lourdes today, let us present our prayers through our Blessed Mother as she approaches her son on our behalf.
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