Catholic - Universal Church OUR LADY OF LOURDES - 11FEB PATRON: Body infirmities

Between February 11 and July 16, 1858, the Blessed Virgin appeared eighteen times, and showed herself to St. Bernadette in the hollow of the rock at Lourdes. On March 25 she said to the little shepherdess who was only fourteen years of age: "I am the Immaculate Conception." Since then Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and many cures and conversions have takenplace. The message of Lourdes is a call to personal conversion, prayer, and charity. The many miracles which have been performed through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin at Lourdes prompted the Church to institute a special commemorative feast, the"Apparition of the Immaculate Virgin Mary." The Office gives the historical background. Four years after the promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception (1854), the Blessed Virgin appeared a number of times to a very poor and holy girl named Bernadette. The actual spot was in a grotto on the bank of the Gave River near Lourdes. The Immaculate Conception had a youthful appearance and was clothed in a pure white gown andmantle, with an azure blue girdle. A golden rose adorned each of her bare feet. On her first apparition, February 11, 1858, theBlessed Virgin bade the girl make the sign of the Cross piously and say the rosary with her. Bernadette saw her take the rosary that was hanging from herarms into her hands. This was repeated in subsequent apparitions. With childlike simplicity Bernadette once sprinkled holy water on the vision, fearing that itwas a deception of the evil spirit; but the Blessed Virgin smiled pleasantly, and her face became even more lovely. The third time Mary appeared she invited the girlto come to the grotto daily for two weeks. Now she frequently spoke to Bernadette. On one occasion she ordered her to tell the ecclesiastical authorities to build a church on the spot and to organize processions. Bernadette also was told to drink and wash at the spring still hidden under the sand. Finally on the feast of the Annunciation, the beautiful Lady announced her name, "I am the Immaculate Conception." The report of cures occurring at the grotto spread quickly and the more it spread, the greater the number of Christians who visited the hallowed place. The publicity given these miraculous events on the one hand and the seeming sincerity and innocence of the girlon the other made it necessary for the bishop of Tarbes to institute a judicial inquiry. Four years later he declared the apparitions to be supernatural and permitted the public veneration of the Immaculate Conception in the grotto. Soon a chapel was erected, and since thattime countless pilgrims come every year to Lourdes to fulfill promises or to beg graces. — Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch. SOURCE: http:// www.catholiccult ure.org/ culture/ liturgicalyear/ calendar/ day.cfm?date=201 2-02-11 — with Juliet Florian Marie , BenjaminTenisn Opiah , David Masika W , Yuval Adera , Jenjen Bollido , Cyndi Austine Ezikeiheoma , Stephanie Adaeze Chuks , Oyeleke Oyedotun , Sharon Anwuuleekar 'rudyaucoberrie' Nwaefulu , EleonuUba John , Daluchi Iweanya , Gemma Bollido Cabarles , Arlon Saldana , Melan Ramou , Raphel Love Raphel , Alejah Kate Cesar Castino , Emeline Montesa Zuegridor , Cecile Lindero , Marybhel Latuab , Rediemer M Sarmiento , Lonami Barte , Ma Victoria Lorio , Michelle Ocampo , Olive Melaya , Benedicta Okoye , Yuka Medrano Nagano , Darcy Ian , Lourdes Martin Mariscal , Grena Comillor , Merill Venez , Emilina C Venezuel , Floxzy Dominica T. Boguu , Benita Salu , Ederlina Agsoy , Vivian Kuunyeeh , Priscilla Oforiwaa Quaye , Nwengo 'Lace' Franca , Andrew Dave Mariano, Totz Mariano, Arjean Quider Menguito, Annie Quider Menguito, Helen Getubig Villahermosa , Katrina Ladica Medrano , Kristine Ladica Medrano , Maritza Rosado , Jennifer Tolete Soltes and others