Devotion to the 15 visits of Our Lady of Lourdes

The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes were eighteen; they began on 11 February and ended on 16 July 1858, four years after the introduction of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854.

This dogma, which had been discussed within the Church for centuries, teaches that "The most blessed virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, for a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in anticipation of the merits of Jesus Christ the Savior of mankind, it has been preserved intact from every stain of original sin "(Bolla Ineffabilis Deus).

Just four years later, Bernadette Soubirous (January 7, 1844 - April 16, 1879), a 14-year-old young girl of humble origins, was chosen by Our Lady to collaborate in the realization of a great divine plan, for salvation, healing and the conversion of many souls.

Bernadette in 1866 entered the Order of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers. He died in 1879, at the age of 35, consumed by asthma and bone tuberculosis.

In the place of the apparitions, a large sanctuary was built, visited every year by thousands of pilgrims, especially the sick, as a place of grace, conversion and physical and spiritual healing. Many sick and suffering people come to Lourdes to seek not only the healing of the body, but above all the healing of the heart, the courage to start again and the joy of living. In Lourdes, many sick people find the strength to offer their sufferings to God, and receive a great peace of heart in return.

Lourdes' message is a strong call to conversion, prayer, the value of penance and charity.

The liturgical feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is 11 February.

Taking inspiration from the third apparition of the Madonna, during which the SS. Virgo asked Bernadette for the kindness of returning to the cave for 15 days, in various parishes and sanctuaries the devotion of the 15 visits to the Madonna of Lourdes spread.

This pious practice consists in visiting, for 15 consecutive days, a sanctuary (or a church), which is always the same, following the example of what the little seer was asked by the Madonna.

In order for this devotion to bear fruit, the faithful are invited to:

- make 15 visits, possibly without interruption, trusting in the immense maternal goodness of Mary and on the infinite mercy of God;

- to recite the Holy Rosary every day;

- meditate on an apparition of the Madonna to Bernadette (see 15 visits);

- to offer God the labors and joys of every day, always keeping himself in his presence.

-participate, possibly in each of the 15 days, at Holy Mass and communicate (after a sincere and careful confession).

This devotion can be practiced at any time of the year, but it is customary to start it on January 28, to end it on the day of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11. Many testimonies attest that this devotion is very dear to Our Lady, who will certainly grant great graces to those who will respond to her maternal invitation to "return to pray for 15 days", together with her.

THE FIRST TWO APPARITIONS OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

First appearance. Thursday 11 February 1858. Bernadette sees a woman dressed in white in the Massabielle cave.

During a wet and cold day, Bernadette accompanies her sister and a friend to the Massabielle cave, to reach the Gave river, where they can collect firewood or sell. Bernadette, for her physical frailty, remains behind and stops in front of the frozen water of the Savy canal, fearful that the temperature of the water could make her delicate state of health worse. It is noon and Bernadette, in front of the Grotto of Massabielle, hears a strong wind noise, similar to thunder, and immediately afterwards she sees a young and beautiful lady, surrounded by a halo of light.

Let's listen to Bernadette's short story:

“I looked up to the cave and saw a Lady wearing a white dress, closed around the neck by a curl and tightened at the waist by a blue band, which descended on the skirt. The head was covered by a white veil, which fell along the shoulders, up to below the band; furthermore, a large rosary of white grains hung from the arm, tied by a chain of shiny gold. On each foot he wore a golden rose. The Lady was young (she was no more than eighteen years old) and was surrounded by a halo of light ”.

For fear that it was a deception, the seer backs away, but, looking up, she notices that the Lady smiles sweetly and gestures for her to come closer to her. Bernadette continues to be afraid, even if the beauty and sweetness of the Lady are truly indescribable. Bernadette then decides to take the crown from her pocket and to recite the holy Rosary and realizes that even the beautiful Lady takes her crown and shell between her fingers, even if she does not move her lips, but only at the end of each decade does she recite the "Glory to the Father".

While praying, Bernadette looks at her with charm, because she had never seen such a beautiful lady!

When the recitation of the Rosary is over, the Lady greets Bernadette with a smile and then disappears suddenly, together with the light that surrounds her.

The following day the seer wakes up with a great desire to return to the cave, but her parents are denied permission, informed of what happened by Bernadette's friend, despite the fact that she had asked her to keep the secret.

Saturday, February 13 Bernadette confesses to one of the vicars of Lourdes and tells what happened, saying that after seeing a "gust of wind", she saw "something white that had the shape of a lady" at the cave of Massabielle: the vicar, a little incredulous, however, is amazed by the "gust of wind" that reminds him of the Pentecost event and, with Bernadette's permission, tells the parish priest of Lourdes everything, which suggests waiting.

Second apparition. Sunday February 14, 1858. Bernadette sprays blessed water on the beautiful Lady and prays with her.

Bernadette feels in his heart the call to return to the cave. Meanwhile, the secret spreads; several girls decide to follow Bernadette and, having reached the cave, kneel for the recitation of the rosary. Towards the end of the first part, Bernadette sees the Madonna, with the rosary crown hanging on her right arm. The seer, to make sure that it is the Virgin, sprinkles blessed water on her and sees that the beautiful Lady laughs in response to that gesture. Bernadette falls into ecstasy and continues to pray the rosary with the Holy Virgin. In the meantime, many people have already rushed to the cave.