Above all: Eucharistic devotion

FEAST of Our Lady of Lourdes*

February 11

22nd WORLD DAY of the SICK

"I entrust this Twenty-second World Day of the Sick to the intercession of Mary. I ask her to help the sick to bear their sufferings in fellowship with Jesus Christ and to support all those who care for them. To all the ill, and to all the health-care workers and volunteers who assist them, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing." - Pope Francis (for full text, see link 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 Bl. 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: Message of Pope Francis for the 22nd World Day of the Sick

 

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 the sick and suffering.