Above all: Eucharistic devotion

FEAST of Our Lady of Lourdes*

February 11

23rd World Day of the Sick

"Dear Brother and Sisters, On this the twenty-third World Day of the Sick, begun by Saint John Paul II, I turn to all of you who are burdened by illness and are united in various ways to the flesh of the suffering Christ, as well as to you, professionals and volunteers in the field of health care." - Beginning of message of Pope Francis

 Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, France

  

“All the shrines of Mary,

scattered throughout the world,

have become above all

centers of devotion to the Eucharist,

as if the Mother of Jesus had appeared,

here or there,

in order to lead the faithful to the

adoration and love of her blessed Son.”

Pope St John XXIII

 

*Lourdes, France, has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, but even more of faith.  It is a continuation of Jesus’ healing miracles. Many who visit Lourdes return home with renewed faith and a readiness to more generously serve God. There still may be people who doubt the apparitions of Lourdes. Perhaps the best that can be said are the words that introduce the film, Song of Bernadette:

“For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary.

For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.”

 

Click here: XXIII World Day of the Sick, 2015

Click here: Our Lady of Lourdes - YouTube (2 mins)  

Click here: Placing a petition at the Grotto of Lourdes | Lourdes
Click here: Our Lady of Lourdes

Only known picture of St. Bernadette at the Grotto

(taken after the apparitions of 1858):

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us

and especially all of the sick and suffering!