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. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!



On March 4, 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Saint Bernadette for the fifteenth time, marking the end of the original promise Bernadette made to return to the grotto every day for a fortnight. Throughout the first fifteen visitations, the Blessed Virgin brought a message of prayer, penance, poverty, and participation to all people, through the most unlikely of messengers, Bernadette Soubirous. Through these posts, we continue our journey with Saint Bernadette as we encounter Our Blessed Mother through her eyes, memories, and words. The first fourteen visitations occurred in February and March 1858 (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, and March 1, 2, and 3). Our Lady of Lourdes implored us all, saying, “Penance, Penance, Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Our Blessed Mother further invited Bernadette to drink and bathe in the muddy water of the grotto, after which a clear flowing spring came forth where none had existed before. Our Lady of Lourdes commanded, “Go drink in the spring and wash yourself there,” something that faithful pilgrims continue to do each day. (For personal reflections on my experience at Lourdes, see here, here, and here).


Bernadette’s local priest, Father Payramale, had instructed Bernadette to inquire as to the name of the lady appearing to her in the grotto. He had grown impatient with Bernadette’s tale of the visitations, especially after she recounted that aquero had requested that the people come to the grotto in procession, and that a small chapel be built. Upon request, the beautiful lady smiled at Bernadette, but did not reveal her name. Father Payramale insisted that a miracle be performed to authenticate the visions, specifically that the lady make a wild rosebush bloom in the midst of winter.

Bernadette returned to the grotto on March 4, the last day of the fortnight she had promised to aquero, and was surprised to find a crowd of 7,000 people waiting to see what would happen. As she knelt in the grotto praying her Rosary, lit blessed candle burning in her hand, the Blessed Mother appeared. Bernadette finished her Rosary, kissed the ground as penance for sinner, drank and washed in the spring, and only then dared asked the beautiful lady for her name. Again, the Blessed Mother simply smiled in return, a lovely, peaceful smile. Bernadette requested that the rosebush be made to bloom, receiving a similar smile. And then the lady disappeared, without a miracle, without a great sign, without the proof requested by Father Payramale.

Bernadette left the grotto, returning home. The crowd dispersed as well, disappointed and angry that there had been no confirmation of the apparitions. And by all accounts, life returned somewhat to normal for the now-14 year old Bernadette. Having fulfilled her promise to aquero, she reported not feeling the urge and longing to return to the grotto. Instead, she focused her attention on preparing for her First Communion, struggling to learn the Catechism. Father Payramale, believing that her childish foolishness was behind her, gratefully instructed her.

It would not be until the 25th of March, on the feast of the Annunciation, that Bernadette would be drawn back to the grotto. On that day, Our Blessed Mother revealed her true identity to Bernadette, removing any doubt of the miraculous occurrences at Lourdes.



With you, Bernadette

With you, Bernadette, we will go to our rendez-vous at Massabielle to contemplate Mary “full of grace,” and to hear her say to us, “Do what He tell you!”
With you, Bernadette, we will reply, “I promise to do so.”


With you, Bernadette, we wish to hear again the call to penance, take the road to conversion, and live in evangelical poverty.
With you, Bernadette, we wish to live in humility.
Saint Bernadette, teach us the way of penance.


With you, Bernadette, “crushed like a grain of wheat” we will take up our cross.
We unite our hearts to Jesus’ Passion as we say, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, poor sinners.”
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Saint Bernadette, pray for us!

(Father Michel Baute, Chaplin, Our Lady of Lourdes)

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



March 3 marks the anniversary of the fourteenth apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes to Bernadette Soubirous. In 1858, Our Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Bernadette at the grotto in Lourdes eighteen times, each time 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 first thirteen visitations occurred in February and March 1858 (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, and March 1 and 2). The Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, communicated the message of Lourdes to all mankind, through Saint Bernadette. She implored us, saying, “Penance, Penance, Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Our Blessed Mother further invited Bernadette to drink and bathe in the muddy water of the grotto, after which a clear flowing spring came forth where none had existed before. Our Lady of Lourdes commanded, “Go drink in the spring and wash yourself there,” something that faithful pilgrims continue to do each day. (For personal reflections on my experience at Lourdes, see here, here, and here).


Following the thirteenth apparition, during which the Blessed Virgin requested that the people come to the grotto at Massabielle in a procession, as well as a small chapel be built, Bernadette had bravely approached her local priest, Father Peyramale, and conveyed the request. He had not believed her tale, and had insisted that she ask the beautiful lady, when next she appeared, what her name was. Bernadette had agreed to this task, and returned to the grotto on the morning of March 3, 1858. As was now common, a large crowd of people followed her, numbering more than 2,000. However, despite praying the Rosary and kneeling in the grotto, the beautiful lady did not appear.

Bernadette returned home, but later that evening felt the strong urge drawing her back to the grotto. She returned and was graced by the appearance of the Blessed Virgin. Afters she finished praying the Rosary and her acts of penance, Bernadette asked aquero her name. In her own words: “The next day when I arrived at the Grotto, after having recited the Rosary, I told her that Monsieur le Cure would like to know her name, but she only smiled. When I went back to town, I went to see Monsieur le Cure and I told him that I had done what he had asked me to do, but that her only response was a smile. He said that she was making fun of me and I would do well not to go back again; however, I could not keep myself from going back. I returned for fifteen days, and each time I asked her who she was, which always made her smile.”

Father Payramale, somewhat irritated by Bernadette’s inability to get the lady to reveal her name asked for a further sign. He insisted that this lady make the wild rosebush in the grotto bloom, despite it being the height of winter. He told Bernadette that without this miraculous sign, there would be no procession and no chapel.

Bernadette would return the next day, March 4, the final day of the original 15-day promise she made to aquero. She would be accompanied by more that 7,000 people, the news of the apparitions having spread even further. Despite the number of people present, few believed her story. Bernadette withstood this doubt with confidence and grace beyond her years, gifts bestowed upon her by the Lord.


O Brilliant star of purity,

Mary Immaculate,
Our Lady of Lourdes,
glorious assumption,
triumphant in your coronation,
show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God.

Virgin Mary,
Queen and Mother,
be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.


Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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



In 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto in Lourdes eighteen times, each time 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 first twelve visitations occurred in February (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, and March 1). The Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, communicated the message of Lourdes to all mankind, through Saint Bernadette. She implored us, saying, “Penance, Penance, Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Our Blessed Mother further invited Bernadette to drink and bathe in the muddy water of the grotto, after which a clear flowing spring came forth where none had existed before. Our Lady of Lourdes commanded, “Go drink in the spring and wash yourself there,” something that faithful pilgrims continue to do each day. (For personal reflections on my experience at Lourdes, see here, here, and here).


During the eight to twelfth visitations, Our Blessed Mother had repeated her instructions to pray for sinners, and to offer acts of penance to God for their salvation. During these times, Bernadette engaged in bizarre behaviors, at least in the opinion of the curious onlookers who now numbered close to 2,000 each day. Bernadette’s actions, kneeling, moving on her knees, kissing the ground in penance for sinners, eating bitter grasses, and washing and drinking the spring water were reflective and representative of the Passion of Our Lord, made manifest through the message of Lourdes.

Prior to the thirteenth apparition, on March 2, the local church had remained at a distance, although a priest was present for the first time the day before. Also, following the twelfth apparition, the first miraculous cure of a local woman’s arm paralysis occurred after she plunged her arm into the spring at Massabielle.

On March 2, Bernadette, accompanied by her aunts, returned to the grotto, now having to force her way through the crowds. As was her custom, she knelt with a lit blessed candle, prayed the Rosary, and engaged in acts of penance for sinners. The Blessed Mother appeared and gave Bernadette two commands. First, Bernadette was to go to the local priests and tell them that people should come to the grotto in procession. Second, the beautiful lady requested that a small chapel be built on the site.

Bernadette thanked Our Blessed Mother, and with her aunts accompanying her, went to the local priest to relay the request. Bernadette was quite frightened, more so than when she spoke with the police, but nonetheless presented herself to Father Peyramale (whom she called “Monsieur le Cure”). Upon telling him that the beautiful lady had requested the people come in procession to the grotto, Father Peyramale inquired as to the lady’s name (as Bernadette continued to refer to her as aquero.) Bernadette did not claim to know her name. Father Peyramale, doubting the truth of the story based upon Bernadette’s level of education and failure to yet make her First Holy Communion, sent her away. She returned several hours later, undeterred, to mention that aquero had also requested a chapel be built. He demanded that the next time she saw the beautiful lady that she ask her name.

In Saint Bernadette’s own words: “I went to see Monsieur le Cure to tell him that the Lady had asked me to go tell the priests to have a chapel built at the Grotto and that people should come there in procession. He looked at me for a moment and then he said to me in a rather stern tone: ‘Who is this Lady?’ I answered that I did not know. Then he instructed me to ask her name and to come back and tell him.”

Bernadette agreed to do as the priest requested, and returned home knowing that she had promised to go to the grotto every day for fifteen days, and that in two days, those fifteen days would be over. But the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, would appear five more times to Saint Bernadette over the coming months.

“I shall spend every moment loving. One who loves does not notice her trials; or perhaps more accurately, she is able to love them… Why must we suffer? Because here below pure Love cannot exist with suffering. O Jesus, Jesus, I no longer feel my cross when I think of yours.”
(from the Private Notes of Saint Bernadette)

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



In 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto in Lourdes eighteen times, each time 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 first eleven visitations occurred in February (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25,  27, and 28), while the twelfth occurred on the first day of March. The Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, communicated the message of Lourdes to all mankind, through Saint Bernadette. She implored us, saying, “Penance, Penance, Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Our Blessed Mother further invited Bernadette to drink and bathe in the muddy water of the grotto, after which a clear flowing spring came forth where none had existed before. Our Lady of Lourdes commanded, “Go drink in the spring and wash yourself there,” something that faithful pilgrims continue to do each day. (For personal reflections on my experience at Lourdes, see here, here, and here).


During the eleventh visitation, Our Blessed Mother had repeated her instructions to pray for sinners, and to offer acts of penance to God for their salvation. During the twelfth visitation, however, the Blessed Virgin again remained silent, smiling her gentle smile, and praying the Rosary along with Bernadette. At this point, well over one thousand people were following Bernadette to the grotto at Massabielle, word having spread across the country of the miraculous appearances. Of course, only Bernadette could see the Blessed Mother, and many of the onlookers were disappointed. What they did notice, however, was the ecstatic gaze of Bernadette, the joy and peace displayed on her face, and the zeal she exhibited in penance for sinners—drinking and washing in the pure spring which had sprung forth beneath the alcove in the rock where the beautiful lady appeared.

The local church authorities had previously made no comment on the occurrences in Lourdes, even when Bernadette informed the local nuns. But on this day, a priest was among the crows of 1500, observing Bernadette’s behavior. And soon, given the request made by Our Lady the following day, the Church would be moved to action.

That night, following the dispersal of the crowds, the first miraculous healing attributed to the spring at the grotto occurred. Catherine Latapie, a friend of the Soubirous family from Lourdes, went to the Grotto. She had lost the movement in her arm and hand, and with faith in the Lord, she plunged her dislocated arm into the water of the spring. Immediately, she regained the movement in her hand and arm! This was the first of over 60 miraculous cures attributed to Our Lady of Lourdes, the most recent occurring in 2005.


Saint Bernadette, your faith has grown the Church—the Church which is your family and your religious community.
Bravely, you went to tell the priests to hold a procession and build a chapel.
Once your mission was accomplished, you retreated in silence and humility.
Like Mary, in this day of Pentecost and then silence, Inspire in me, O Saint Bernadette, the same love of the Church. Support me in my prayers.

Lord, you give everyone a place in your Church. Let me answer my vocation with the same simplicity and the same generosity as Bernadette. Amen.

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


On Sunday, February 28, 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto in Lourdes for the eleventh time. Beginning on February 11, The Blessed Virgin had been appearing to Bernadette Soubirous, each time 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. During the previous nine visitations (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, and 27) the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, communicated the message of Lourdes to all mankind, through Saint Bernadette. She implored us, saying, “Penance, Penance, Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Our Blessed Mother further invited Bernadette to drink and bathe in the muddy water of the grotto, after which a clear flowing spring came forth where none had existed before. Our Lady of Lourdes commanded, “Go drink in the spring and wash yourself there,” something that faithful pilgrims continue to do each day. (For personal reflections on my experience at Lourdes, see here and here).


During the tenth visitation, the Blessed Mother appeared again to Bernadette, but remained quiet. Bernadette was relieved, as Our Lady of Lourdes had not appeared the day before, and she had been afraid that somehow she had offended the beautiful lady. While Bernadette had been graced with a visitation, aquero had remained silent, smiled at Bernadette’s acts of penance, and prayed the Rosary with her.

During the eleventh visitation, Our Blessed Mother repeated her instructions to pray for sinners, and to offer acts of penance to God for their salvation. As typical, Bernadette carried a lighted blessed candle with her, knelt in prayer before a crowd nearing 1,000 curious onlookers, and repeated her seemingly bizarre (to those observing) acts of penance. The spring, which had only appeared days before, continued to flow strong and pure and clear.

Our Blessed Mother would appear to Bernadette seven more times at the grotto at Massabielle, each time more and more people accompanying Bernadette, hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful lady she referred to. Given the crowds, the local priests and religious would soon be forced to get involved, whereas previously they had observed hoping to have the apparitions discredited. Our Lady would also soon make a request of the community, one which would ensure continued devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, and continued propagation of the message of Lourdes.


Saint Bernadette, you always enjoyed serving others.
In February 1858, the Blessed Virgin appeared to you when you were gathering wood.
Among your sisters, you have learned to treat the sick and those in need.
Later, in Nevers, you were an excellent nurse, offering an attentive and intelligent charity.


Saint Bernadette, Like Mary, who saw the family’s needs in Cana, inspire in me the same generosity and the same faith that you see in Christ.


Lord, you have given us brothers and sisters to love. We pray that our eyes, our hands, and our hearts are open to all those that you put in our way. Amen.

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



February 27 marks the anniversary of the tenth 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. During the previous nine visitations (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 25) the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, communicated the message of Lourdes to all mankind, through Saint Bernadette. She implored us, saying, “Penance, Penance, Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Our Blessed Mother further invited Bernadette to drink and bathe in the muddy water of the grotto, after which a clear flowing spring came forth where none had existed before. Our Lady of Lourdes commanded, “Go drink in the spring and wash yourself there,” something that faithful pilgrims continue to do each day on personal pilgrimages.

Following the ninth visitation of Mary on the 25th of February, Bernadette’s mother and aunts took her home, embarrassed by her antics—crawling on the ground like an animal, kissing the dirt for sinners, drinking muddy water and smearing it on her face. Saint Bernadette’s behavior had also raised the suspicion and ire of the local authorities. She was brought in for questioning by the imperial prosecutor, who again threatened her with jail if she refused to recant her story and stay away from the grotto at Massabielle. While Bernadette’s mother was clearly shaken by the encounter with the grand prosecutor, Bernadette remained calm and consistent, refusing both orders. Rather than jail the child, the prosecutor sent her home.

The following day, February 26, Bernadette returned to the grotto, but Our Blessed Mother did not appear. Being a Friday of Lent, Bernadatte repeated her acts of penance as instructed by the Blessed Virgin, praying the Rosary, kissing the ground in penance for sinners, and both drinking and washing in the spring. To Bernadette’s surprise, the spring was now perfectly clear and clean, and flowing abundantly like the triumph of grace over sin! Bernadette was troubled, however, as she feared that she had somehow offended the Blessed Mother, and that is why she hadn’t returned.

Nonetheless, Saint Bernadette came back to the grotto the following day, honoring her promise to aquero, and was graced by a visitation. Our Blessed Mother said nothing, but silently prayed with Bernadette, and smiled her gentle smile, encouraging Bernadette to continue her acts of penance. Upon completion of the Rosary, Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes disappeared, and Bernadette returned home filled with peace.

Our Blessed Mother would appear to Bernadette eight more times at the grotto at Massabielle, each time more and more people accompanying Bernadette, hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful lady she referred to. Each time she appears, Our Lady encourages us to pray the Rosary, to hold up those prayers as penance for sinners, and to think of those who are suffering. Her choice of Saint Bernadette, an uneducated and poor girl, reminds us of our worth in the eyes of the Lord, and calls us each to make a difference in the world by remaining open to the message of Lourdes.

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




On February 25, we remember the ninth 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 preludes to what was to begin during the eighth (2/24) blessed message of Mary—during which she told Saint Bernadette to offer “Penance, penance, penance,” and to “Pray to God for sinners.” During that visit, the Blessed Virgin also asked Bernadette to kiss the ground in penance for the sins of the world.


On February 25, 1858, Bernadette returned to the grotto, accompanied by her mother and a crowd of over 300 people. Following the message of Mary given on the previous day, Bernadette offered herself and her prayers as penance for sinners. She knelt outside the grotto, and moved to her customary place on her knees, rather than by walking. 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. She asked, “Would you kiss the ground for sinners?” Bernadette did not audibly answer, but instead, to the surprise of those gathered, began to kiss the ground in front of her. The Blessed Mother continued, “Would you eat the grass for sinners?” Again, to the shock of the crowds gathered, Bernadette moved on her knees further into the grotto, eating the sparse grass that grew like the wild pigs who foraged there.

In a miraculous turn, the Blessed Mother then told Saint Bernadette, “Go drink at the spring and wash yourself there.” Bernadette was confused, as there was no spring in the grotto, and turned to move to the Gave River, which was only yards away—the same river she had refused to cross with her sister and friend on the date of the first apparition. The Blessed Mother corrected her, gesturing for Bernadette to come into the grotto further, finding herself in front of a small pool of muddy water. She scratched the earth a few times to get enough water to drink, and then both drank it and washed herself with it, smearing mud across her face. The onlookers took this as final proof that the simple miller’s daughter was mad. The authorities, however, were outraged.

In her personal journal, Saint Bernadette recounts the events of the ninth apparition. In her own words: “She also asked me to go drink from the spring and wash there; since I did not see a spring, I started toward the Gave. She said that that was not the right place and she pointed to another place, showing me the spring under the Grotto. I went to the place she showed me, but all I saw was a tiny bit of muddy water. There was so little of it that I was hardly able to get any of it in my hands. Nevertheless, I obeyed and started digging with my hands. I tried to drink it, but it was so dirty that the first three times, it came back up. On the fourth try, I was able to drink a little of it.”

During four visitations from Mary (9-12), Saint Bernadette carried out the same actions—drinking from the spring, washing herself, eating grass, walking on her knees, and kissing the ground. Those around her do not understand, but as we reflect on her actions, we see they are biblical in nature. Because Our Lady of Lourdes asked her, Bernadette acts out the Incarnation, the Passion and the death of Christ.

Moving on her knees at the back of the Grotto recalls the Incarnation, God lowering himself to become human. Bernadette kisses the ground showing us that this act of humility is an action of the love God has for his people.

When Bernadette stoops and eats the dirty, bitter grasses growing in the recesses of the grotto, she re-enacts the Jewish Old Testament tradition of slaughtering a lamb, cleaning it, and filling it with bitter herbs. For the Jews, this showed that the Lamb of God had taken away the sins of the world, washed it clean, and taken on all bitterness unto himself.

Bernadette smeared her face with mud, suffering much as Isaiah had prophesied about Christ. "Because he carried on himself all our sins his face no longer appeared human." And, “He was" Isaiah continues, "like a lamb led to the slaughter, and on his way the crowd mocked him.” At the grotto, Bernadette “disfigures” her face with the mud of the spring, and the crowd mocks her and questions her sanity. She suffers the humiliation, in those moments, of Christ on the way to his cross.

Bernadette’s actions free the grotto—free it from the bitter grasses growing and hiding it’s beauty, free the holy spring beneath it. In a manner of speaking, she also frees us, the people who the message of Lourdes is intended. By her actions, the mysteries of the heart of Jesus are revealed: "The water that I shall give you will become, in you, a spring welling up to eternal life.” Our hearts are like the grass and mud of the grotto, wounded and soiled by sin. But we are freed by the message of Lourdes, remembering that at the bottom of each of our hearts, there is the life of God. “Penance, Penance, Penance!” calls us each to daily conversion.

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

Today, February 23, marks the anniversary of the seventh 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 six visitations (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, and 21) were greeted by disbelief from Bernadette’s family, friends, local authorities, and local religious. Despite overwhelming pressure to recant her story and stop visiting the grotto as Masabielle, Bernadette’s simple and deep faith continued to draw her back to the loving and peaceful smile of Our Lady of Lourdes. Even threats of imprisonment could not prevent it!


Despite her hours of interrogation by the local police commissioner following the sixth apparition on February 21, and the fact that the Blessed Virgin did not appear on the 22nd, Bernadette returned to the grotto on the morning of February 23. It is estimated that a crowd of approximately 250 followed her, watching, and hoping to experience what she claimed to see. Among them were local church authorities.

Like previous appearances, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Bernadette, smiling and praying with her. Onlookers reported seeing the enraptured Bernadette speak, and pause as if listening to someone else speak. Later, Bernadette would reveal that the Blessed Mother shared three secrets with her, much as she has done with other visionaries (such as the children at Fatima). Saint Bernadette never revealed these secrets, carrying them with her to her reunion with the Blessed Mother and Jesus in heaven.

During the seven first apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, Saint Bernadette generally has a face radiant with joy, happiness and light, although there are moments of tears. Between the eighth and twelfth apparitions, this changes dramatically- the face of Bernadette becomes hard, sad and sorrowful. And to the observers, her actions are those of someone quite out of their mind. As we continue this journey of reflection on the apparitions at Lourdes, we will see that even the most incomprehensible actions to the human mind have deep meaning to God. 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.


Saint Bernadette, you have long sought the Lord where he called you to.
You asked.
You listened.
You trusted.
You were sure the Lord would guide you.
You surrendered yourself completely in the hands of God.


Like Mary, you were confident in the Lord.
Bernadette, inspire me in the same confidence, the same generosity, and the same patience.


Lord, enlighten me on my path and give me the strength to say “yes” when I hear your call.

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




The Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Lourdes, appeared to Saint Bernadette eighteen times at the grotto of Massabielle, 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. While the first three visitations, on February 11, February 14, February 18, were marked by the Blessed Mother establishing a deep and heart-felt connection with Saint Bernadette, the fourth and fifth visitations on February 19 and February 20 were marked by quiet prayer and confidences which Bernadette would not reveal.


The sixth time the Blessed Virgin, described by Bernadette as a beautiful young lady clothed in a white robe and blue sash, with golden roses on her feet, appeared in the grotto as Massabielle, Bernadette’s now radiant face was marked by unease and unhappiness. Those observing watched as she spoke, and paused as if listening, weeping throughout. Bernadette would later recall that the Blessed Mother had told her to pray for sinners, and described things to horrible to repeat. She kept the confidences of the Blessed Mother until her death.

This sixth apparition, on February 21, occurred very early in the morning, and following the departure of the Blessed Mother, the local police commissioner, Dominque Jacomet, brought Bernadette into the police station for questioning. Denying her mother’s request to accompany her, Jacomet questioned Bernadette alone for a significant period of time, as the town elders had grown concerned with the safety risk the crowds who followed her to the grotto were causing.

Jacomet questioned Bernadette regarding her age, education, and history, establishing that she had little education, seldom went to school, could neither read nor write, and had not yet made her First Eucharist. To his surprise, Bernadette was unsure of her age, estimating she was either thirteen or fourteen. When questioned about her experiences at Lourdes, and whether her family supported her, she forthrightly responded that no one believed her story—not her mother, sister, or friends—not even the nuns at the convent whom she had confided in. And yet, he could not sway her from her beliefs. She was calm for one so young, faced with the authority of the police, and would not be tricked into changing her story, despite his attempts. When asked who she was speaking to at the grotto of Massabielle, Bernadette answered, “aqueró,” which in the local patois dialect means “that one” or “that thing.” She refused to be more specific.

Commissioner Jacomet tried all he could to trick her, re-reading his written notes, but significantly changing her story each time. Without exception, Bernadette politely corrected him, saying, “You’ve changed everything.” As rumors were circulating around the town that she was being visited by the Blessed Virgin—something he could not believe, as he though the Holy Mother wouldn’t appear to someone as uneducated and poor as Bernadette—he substituted her title for aqueró. Again, Bernadette refuted his story, stating that she had never claimed to have seen the Blessed Virgin. He strongly encouraged her to avoid returning to the grotto, but Bernadette insisted that she must return, as she had made a promise. Despite his threats to imprison her as a public safety hazard, Jacomet let Bernadette go.

Bernadette returned to the grotto the following day, in honor of her promise. However, on that day, the Blessed Virgin did not appear. Bernadette prayed the Rosary, and followed by a disappointed crowd, returned home. Bernadette, however, was not disappointed, and seemingly lit by an internal peace and grace, returned the following day.

The Lourdes Hymn (sung during the Candlelight Processional)

O Mary, our mother, we come to this place,
Where you, who are sinless, appeared full of grace.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria


As Bernadette waited there came to her site
A radiant Lady, surrounded by light.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria


She gave her a message, “Let penance be done,
And pray that all sinners may turn to my Son.”
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria


“Come here in procession, to praise God and sing,
To wash in these waters and drink at this spring.”
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria


She asked that a chapel be built in this place;
That all be encouraged to pray for God’s grace.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria


The Lady responded when asked for her name:
“Conceived without sin is the title I claim.”
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria


O mother of mercy, our sorrows relieve;
Sustain those who suffer, console those who grieve.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria


O bless us, dear Lady, with blessings from heaven;
And to our petitions let answers be given
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria

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

We continue our journey with Saint Bernadette as we encounter Our Blessed Mother through her eyes, memories, and words. Our Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Bernadette eighteen times at the grotto of Lourdes, bringing a message of prayer, penance, poverty, and participation. While the first three visitations, on February 11, February 14, February 18, were marked by the Blessed Mother establishing a deep and heart-felt connection with Saint Bernadette, the fourth (February 19) though seventh visitations were marked by quiet prayer. During these visits, the crowds that followed Bernadette to the grotto at Massabielle grew each day, and the leaders of the town began to become alarmed. It would not be long before the police became involved, and Bernadette would suffer for her faith.


The fifth apparition, February 20, 1858, marks the first time that Bernadette’s mother accompanies her to the grotto. Prior to this day, she had actively discouraged Bernadette, certain the attention would have negative impact on the family’s already tenuous existence within the community. However, on February 20, due to her growing concern for her daughter’s safety amongst the crowds following her, she accompanied Bernadette. Together, they returned to the grotto at Massabielle, again carrying the lighted blessed candle. Again, the crowds, including her mother, witnessed Bernadette, in ecstasy, kneeling before the rock face, praying the Rosary, holding the lit candle in the other hand. While Bernadette was transfixed, the others present saw and heard nothing.

During the fifth visitation of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 20, the Blessed Mother appeared in the recess of the rock face, as she had previously, praying the Rosary with Bernadette, and smiling gently. Bernadette was content to sit in her presence, recalling the joy and peace she felt the remainder of her life, and describing how nothing earthly could compare. On this occasion, the Blessed Mother spoke to Bernadette, teaching her a prayer which Bernadette kept secret the remainder of her life. Onlookers watched her beautiful and joy-filled face become troubled and sad, followed by tears during the visitation. This was the first of several times where Bernadette was provided with information regarding the future of the world and the torment of sinners.

Despite this difficult vision, Bernadette was not deterred. She would return the following day, and subsequently be questioned by the police. Throughout, her faith would remain child-like and simple, her love for the beautiful lady undeterred, and her confidence in the Lord ever growing. As the Blessed Virgin had promised, Bernadette had found happiness not in the world of man, but in the internal Kingdom of God—a kingdom of love.
Years later, in 1783, Saint Bernadette wrote:

“O Mary, my gentle Mother, here I am, your child who can bear no more. See my needs and above all my spiritual distress. Have pity on me; grant that one day I may be with you in Heaven.


I shall do everything for Heaven, my true home. There I shall find my Mother in all the splendor of her glory. I shall delight were her in the joy of Jesus himself in perfect safety.”

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

The Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Bernadette eighteen times, bringing a message of prayer, penance, poverty, and participation. She said, “Penance. Penance. Penance. Pray for Sinners.” She picked the most humble of messengers, truly showing that we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. Between today and July 16, we will continue our journey with Saint Bernadette as we encounter Our Blessed Mother through her eyes, memories, and words.


On February 19, Bernadette returned to the grotto at Massabielle, as she had promised the beautiful lady she would. Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes appeared for the fourth time on that day, having appeared previously on February 11, February 14, and February 18. During those initial visitations, the Blessed Virgin smiled and prayed with Bernadette. During the previous visitation, she had spoken, inquiring as to whether Bernadette would visit the grotto each day for 15 days, and telling her, “I do not promise to make you happy in this life, but in the other.”

Bernadette did not completely understand the message of the Holy Mother, but returned as promised, on February 19th. In preparation for her visit to the grotto, she brought a blessed candle, which she had borrowed, to offer in honor of the beautiful lady. During this visit, a small crowd of family members, friends, and curious townsfolk followed her. They witnessed Bernadette, in ecstasy, kneeling before the rock face, praying the Rosary, holding the lit candle in the other hand. She was transfixed, and unable to be distracted from her vision. Her face, during these moments, becomes calm and beautiful—more beautiful than anything the onlookers have seen.

Bernadette’s habit of carrying a lit candle to the grotto is the start of the daily Marian Candlelight Procession at Lourdes, still occurring today, and having occurred every day since that time.

During the visitation of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 19, she again remained silent, praying the Rosary with Bernadette, but not speaking to her. Instead, Bernadette was graced with the gentle smile and feeling of peace she remembered from previous visions.

Bernadette would continue to visit the grotto for the next 14 days in a row, during that time, receiving the important message of Lourdes- a message that is from the heart of Our Blessed Mother. During the third apparition, when the beautiful lady explains to Saint Bernadette, “What I have to say does not need to be written down,” she is inviting Bernadette to enter into a personal relationship from the heart, the very center and depth of her message of love, respect, and human dignity.



O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
you are the refuge of sinners,
the health of the sick,
and the comfort of the afflicted.
By your appearances at the Grotto of Lourdes
you made it a privileged sanctuary
where your favors are given to people streaming to it from the whole world.
Over the years countless sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities,
whether of soul, mind, or body.
Therefore I come with limitless confidence
to implore your motherly intercession.


Loving Mother, obtain the grant of my requests.
Let me strive to imitate your virtues on earth
so that I may one day share your glory in heaven.
Amen.

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

Our Blessed Mother appeared for the third time to Bernadette Soubirous on February 18. As you may recall, Bernadette was a simple girl, uneducated in the way of the Catechism, but deeply faithful despite countless hardships. We know that she carried a Rosary with her at all times, but prior to the visits from Our Blessed Mother, had not yet mastered all the prayers. Beginning on February 11, 1858, The Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Bernadette a total of 18 times in Lourdes, France. The final visitation occurred on July 16, 1858. Since that time, hundreds of millions of pilgrims have visited Lourdes, with crowds reaching 40,000 on average during busier times of year. Over 60 miraculous cures have been recorded in the grotto where the Blessed Virgin appeared, or due to the curative properties of the spring which appeared during the apparitions.



Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes


Following the second apparition of Mary in the grotto as Massabielle on February 14, Bernadette’s mother had forbidden her to return, as the small community had begun to gossip about the already beleaguered family. However, the talk had attracted the attention of one of the town’s wealthier residents, Jeanne-Marie Milhet. As it just so happened, Bernadette’s mother worked for Madame Milhet doing washing and mending from time to time. When her employer pressed her to allow Bernadette to return to the grotto with her, Bernadette’s mother had no choice but to give in. On February 18, Bernadette, accompanied by Madame Milhet and a companion, visited the grotto. Madame Milhet believed that the woman visiting Bernadette was a deceased friend, known for her piety in the village.

Upon arriving at the grotto, Bernadette fell to her knees and began praying the Rosary, joined by the others. She was immediately graced by the appearance of the beautiful lady, and informed the others. They could not see her, however, and were disappointed. Upon finishing the Rosary, again during which Our Blessed Mother prayed concurrently, but without words, Bernadette approached the vision, extending her hands which contained a pen and paper. Despite being unable to read or write, she had been coached by Madame Milhet to ask for a written name.

“Would you be kind enough to write your name down?” Bernadette inquired, again afraid. The beautiful young lady, clothed in white with a blue sash and yellow roses on her feet, smiled gently and spoke for the first time. She said, “It is not necessary. What I have to say to you does not need to be written down.” Surprisingly, she answered Bernadette in the local dialect in which she had been spoken to. Still smiling, she inquired of Bernadette, “Would you have the kindness to come here for a fortnight?” (In this case, fifteen days). In this case, however, she used formal language, the first time anyone had spoken to Bernadette in that manner.  In that moment, Bernadette reported that the Blessed Virgin looked at her "as one person looks at another person"-- as a person worthy of love, respect, and human dignity.

Bernadette, joy overcoming fear, promised that she would. Our Blessed Mother replied with a promise of her own. “I do not promise to make you happy in this life, but in the other.” She then disappeared.

Bernadette reported to her companions that she was most sure that it was not Madame Milhet’s deceased friend who she was conversing with. Together they returned to town, with Bernadette recounting the events of the day to her mother, and gaining permission to return to the grotto for the next fifteen days. The others who had accompanied her reported that Bernadette had been entranced, speaking aloud, but receiving no replies that were audible to the onlookers. Interest in the story continued to grow throughout the small town. Bernadette would return to the grotto each day, as promised, and during that time would be blessed by the presence of Our Blessed Mother.


O Brilliant star of purity,

Mary Immaculate,
Our Lady of Lourdes,
glorious assumption,
triumphant in your coronation,
show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God,
Virgin Mary,
Queen and Mother,
be our comfort, hope, strength,
and consolation. Amen.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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


Today, February 14, marks the anniversary of the second apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes to Bernadette Soubirous. Beginning on February 11, 1858, The Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Bernadette a total of 18 times in Lourdes, France. The final visitation occurred on July 16, 1858. Since that time, hundreds of millions of pilgrims have visited Lourdes, with crowds reaching 40,000 on average during busier times of year. Over 60 miraculous cures have been recorded in the grotto where the Blessed Virgin appeared, or due to the curative properties of the spring which appeared during the apparitions.

As you may recall, following the first apparition, Bernadette’s mother forbade her to return to the holy grotto at Massabielle, and for three days, Bernadette complied with her mother’s wishes. However, on the fourth day, she felt called to the grotto. In her writings, Bernadette wrote, “Something inside me drew me there.” Having persuaded her mother to let her go, she returned to the grotto along with some other children. Bernadette armed herself with holy water, believing that if she threw the water at the vision, she would know whether it was from God. Her simple belief: if the vision was Godly, all would be well. If the vision was from elsewhere, the holy water would make the lady go away.

Similar to the initial visitation, the beautiful lady appeared in a nook on the rock face of the grotto. She was dressed in the same manner—a white dress with a blue sash, golden roses in each foot, and a Rosary draped over her arm. Bernadette threw the holy water on the vision, and Our Lady smiled. In fact, the more water Bernadette threw, the more she “smiled, bowed, and gestured.” Our Lady of Lourdes remained silent, and eventually disappeared after Bernadette again prayed the Rosary. The other children who accompanied her reported seeing nothing. Bernadette was so enraptured by the vision of Mary that she was unable to be moved from the spot. Her friends ran back to town, finding an adult, who physically carried her from the grotto.

Her mother, already dependent on the small town for odd jobs to support the family, was afraid of scandal. Following word of her daughter’s strange behavior, she forbade Bernadette from returning to the grotto, this time intending to enforce her rule.

The Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Bernadette eighteen times, bringing a message of prayer, penance, poverty, and participation. She said, “Penance. Penance. Penance. Pray for Sinners.” She picked the most humble of messengers, truly showing that we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. Between today and July 16, we will journey with Saint Bernadette as we encounter Our Blessed Mother through her eyes, memories, and words.

Since my pilgrimage to Lourdes, I have incorporated a prayer I learned there into my daily Rosary (following the Fatima prayer). I thought I might share it here:

O Holy Virgin, in the midst of your days of glory, do not forget the sorrows of this earth.
Cast a merciful gaze upon those who are suffering,
struggling against difficulty, with their lips pressed constantly against life’s bitter cup.
Have pity on those who love each other and are separated.
Have pity on our rebellious hearts.
Have pity on our weak faith.
Have pity on those we love.
Have pity on those who weep, on those pray, on those who fear.
Grant hope and peace to all.
Amen.