"I am the Immaculate Conception."
February 11 marks the day on which Our Lady appeared to fourteen year old
Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France in 1858. There were fourteen apparitions
in all, the last of which occurred on July 16 of that year. Our lady revealed
herself as the Immaculate Conception, a term which the young girl never heard
before and did not understand. She asked that all people be reminded of the need
for conversion and penance. She also said that each person can participate in
Christ's Redemption of the world through suffering and mortification. In pain,
sickness or in any adversity, we have the opportunity to grow deeply in our
relationship with God. We can become less dependent on material things and more
trusting in God.
Our Lady of Lourdes told St. Bernadette to go and wash in the spring. After
digging in the place to which Mary pointed, water started to bubble forth. This
is now the miraculous waters of the spring of Lourdes. Many sick people have
been cured by bathing in this water, and many have not. We do not know why this
is, but we trust that God does what is ultimately best for us and for others.
There have been numerous spiritual cures in Lourdes. People have come from there
with renewed faith and love for Jesus.
Our Lady always leads us to her Son. So, at Lourdes she indicated that a
chapel be built. Thus, there would be a place where confessions would be heard
and Masses would be offered. We thank God for granting us the apparitions of
Mary in Lourdes and in all the places and times of our world. We thank Him for
this most beautiful help so that we might be on a continuing road of conversion,
penance and therefore growth in the love of God.
Besides praying to God directly, let us ask Our Lady to pray for all of us
and to pray especially for all those who are sick.
Father Stanley
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