The prayer to say to Our Lady of Lourdes on the eve of her feast

Maria, you appeared to Bernadette in the crevice of this rock. In the cold and dark of winter, you made you feel the warmth of a presence, the light and beauty.

In the wounds and darkness of our lives, in the divisions of the world where evil is powerful, it brings hope and restores confidence!

You who are the Immaculate Conception, come to the aid of us sinners. Give us the humility of conversion, the courage of penance. Teach us to pray for all men.

Guide us to the sources of true Life. Make us pilgrims on the journey within your Church. Satisfy in us the hunger of the Eucharist, the bread of the journey, the bread of Life.

In you, O Mary, the Holy Spirit has done great things: in his power, he has brought you to the Father, in the glory of your Son, living forever. Look with love as a mother at the miseries of our body and heart. Shine like a bright star for everyone at the moment of death.

With Bernadette, we pray to you, O Mary, with the simplicity of the children. Put in your mind the spirit of the Beatitudes. Then we can, from down here, know the joy of the Kingdom and sing with you: Magnificat!

Glory to you, O Virgin Mary, blessed servant of the Lord, Mother of God, Temple of the Holy Spirit!

Thursday 11 February 1858: the meeting
First appearance. Accompanied by her sister and friend, Bernardette travels to Massabielle, along the Gave, to collect bones and dry wood. While she is taking off her stockings to cross the river, she hears a noise that resembled a gust of wind, she raises her head towards the Grotto: "I saw a lady dressed in white. He wore a white suit, a white veil, a blue belt and a yellow rose on each foot. " He makes the sign of the cross and recites the rosary with the Lady. After the prayer, the Lady abruptly disappears.