a year of prayer: 365 Rosaries

We continue our re-publishing of previous posts chronicling the miraculous unfolding of events that took place at Lourdes in 1858. For an introduction to the series, see here. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!




Today, February 24, marks the anniversary of the eighth apparition of Our Blessed Mother to Saint Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto in Lourdes. Beginning on February 11, 1858, The Blessed Virgin appeared to Bernadette Soubirous a total of 18 times bringing a message of prayer, penance, poverty, and participation. Through these posts, we continue our journey with Saint Bernadette as we encounter Our Blessed Mother through her eyes, memories, and words. The previous seven visitations (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 23) were prelude to what was to begin during the eighth blessed message of Mary. During these first days, despite being doubted by her family and friends, and despite being mercilessly tricked and questioned by the police, Bernadette held fast to her faith and never wavered form her story. She refused to discontinue her trips to the grotto at Massabielle, as she had made a promise to aquero.  The Blessed Virgin made a promise to Bernadette, to make her happy in the next world.


Whereas the first seven apparitions were times filled with incredible joy for Bernadette, the eighth visitation of Our Lady of Lourdes marks a change in her experience. Her face, previously radiant with joy, becomes sorrowful and sad as Our Lady speaks with her and shares the crux of the message of Lourdes.

On February 24, 1858, Bernadette returned to the grotto, accompanied by her mother and a large crowd. It was the season of Lent, and the local bishop had instructed the people to live with particular intensity in prayer, fasting, and penance. Bernadette embraced this instruction. As was her custom, blessed candle burning, she knelt and prayed the Rosary, and was graced again by the appearance of aquero, the beautiful lady in the recess on the rock face. At the conclusion of the Rosary, the Blessed Mother spoke to Bernadette, which she repeated aloud. “Penance. Penance. Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Bernadette would later report that Our Lady did not smile, but rather, appeared concerned. She wrote in her journal, “This merciful Queen looked sad when she told me to pray for sinners. She repeated the same words to me several times.”

Our Lady of Lourdes then asked Bernadette to kiss the ground. She said, “Kiss the ground as an act of penance for sinners.” To those observing, it was unclear what Bernadette was doing, and some took her actions as proof of a weak mind. The following day, during the ninth visitation of the Blessed Mother, her message, despite the strange behaviors of Bernadette, begins to take focus. We see, through the requests of Our Lady of Lourdes, the sufferings of her Son, Jesus Christ, and the redemption of mankind. The visions at Lourdes, through the messenger of the Blessed Virgin, communicate the Lord’s deep love and sacrifice for each of us, and place us at the center of the message of Lourdes.


Bernadette, you intensely desired the Eucharist.
You have done everything to finally receive communion in the Body of Christ.
You loved to adore the Blessed Sacrament.
You united your life living in the offering, that of Christ at the altar.

Like Mary, the Woman of the Eucharist,
Bernadette, inspire me the same hunger for the Eucharist, the food, presence, and sacrifice.
Lord, you have given us your Son, the living and eternal bread. Let the Eucharist transform my life to be a perpetual act of thanksgiving. Amen.


Year 2: Day 55 of 365

Prayer Intentions: Willingness to suffer and look foolish in the eyes of man; Penance for sinners
Requested Intentions: Healing, successful relationship (S); For successful marriage (A); For a husband’s freedom from addiction (C); Freedom from pain and illness for a friend (M); Financial freedom (J); Successful passing of occupational examination (S); Healing and conversion, sale of house (L); Occupational success for employee and colleagues (J); Employment for a son (C); Successful attainment of an important appointed position (J); Recovery from cancer for a friend (Z); For a family’s freedom from sin (M); For a daughter with Diabetes (A); Reconciliation of a marriage (D); Assistance with a legal matter, financial freedom (R); Healing for a friend (M); For a son in medical school (H); Financial assistance (M); Successful employment (N): Freedom from mental illness for a friend (L); For successful marriage (N); For friends having and recovering from surgery; for the reduction of a brain tumor (L); For resolution of a housing crisis (P); For a brother who is struggling financially, for a son who is struggling academically (B); For financial security for a friend (C); Success in business; familial happiness and health (J); Health and recovery of a sister (I); Healing of a father following stroke (S).