Thursday, February 11, 2016

Above all: centers of Eucharistic devotion ...

FEAST of Our Lady of Lourdes*
February 11
24th WORLD DAY of the SICK

"To all those who assist the sick and suffering I express my confident hope
that they will draw inspiration from Mary, the Mother of Mercy.  "May the
sweetness of her countenance watch over us in this Holy Year, so that all of us
may rediscover the joy of God's tenderness" (Misericordiae Vultus,24), allow it to 
dwell in our hearts and express it in our actions!  Let us entrust to the Virgin Mary our 
trials and tribulations, together with our joys and consolations.  Let us beg her to turn
her eyes of mercy towards us, especially in times of pain, and make us worthy
of beholding, today and always, the merciful face of her Son Jesus!

With this prayer for all of you, I send my Apostolic Blessing." - Pope Francis,
(Full text of Letter for XXIV World Day of Sick, 2016 - BELOW)

 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


*LourdesFrance, 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."

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us, 
and especially the sick and  suffering!

No comments:

Post a Comment