Salvator: incurable for doctors, healed in Lourdes

Father SALVADOR. He tells out of obedience ... Capuchin friar, born in 1862 in Rotelle, residing in Dinard (France). Disease: Tuberculous peritonitis. Healed on June 25, 1900, at age 39. Miracle recognized on 1st July 1908 by Mons. A. Dubourg, archbishop of Rennes. The medical chronology of Father Salvador is sadly classic: tuberculosis hit the lungs in 1898; two years later, in January 1900, tuberculous peritonitis occurs. On the eve of his departure for Lourdes, doctors believe him incurable, condemned and also oppose his departure. Arriving in Lourdes on 25 June 1900, he was immediately taken to the swimming pools. A few moments later, the big surprise: it is transformed and rejuvenated. In practice it is unrecognizable. The healing took place beyond any doubt both for him and for those present. That same evening, he regains a solid appetite then falls asleep with his fists closed. This had not been possible for a long time… The following day, June 26, his companions pushed him to let people know what happened to him. He accepts, out of obedience, to submit to the examinations of the doctors of the Bureau of Medical Findings. No sign of his terrible illness is more visible and will never reappear.

Novena to the Madonna of Lourdes (from 3 to 11 February)

1st day. Our Lady of Lourdes, Immaculate Virgin, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, here I am at your feet to solicit this grace: my trust in your power of intercession is unshakable. You can get everything from your divine Son. Purpose: To make an act of reconciliation towards a hostile person or from whom one has distanced oneself out of natural dislike.

2nd day. Our Lady of Lourdes, who you have chosen to play a weak and poor girl, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, help me to adopt every means to become more humble and more abandoned to God. I know this is how I will be able to please you and obtain your assistance. Purpose: To choose a near date to confess, to stick.

3rd day. Our Lady of Lourdes, eighteen times blessed in your apparitions, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, listen to my pleading vows today. Listen to them if, by realizing themselves, they will be able to procure the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Purpose: To visit the Blessed Sacrament in a church. Entrust nominated relatives, friends or relationships to Christ. Don't forget the dead.

4th day. Our Lady of Lourdes, you, to whom Jesus can refuse nothing, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, intercede for me with your divine Son. Draw heavily on the treasures of his Heart and spread them on those who pray at your feet. Purpose: To pray a meditated rosary today.

5th day. Our Lady of Lourdes who has never been invoked in vain, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, if you wish, none of those who invoke you today will leave without having experienced the effect of your powerful intercession. Purpose: To make a partial fast at noon or in the evening of today to repair their sins, and also according to the intentions of those who pray or will pray to Our Lady with this novena.

6th day. Our Lady of Lourdes, health of the sick, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, Intercede for the healing of the sick that we recommend to you. Get them an increase in strength if not health. Purpose: To wholeheartedly recite an act of consecration to Our Lady.

7th day. Our Lady of Lourdes who pray incessantly for sinners, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes who led Bernardette to holiness, give me that Christian enthusiasm that does not retreat before any effort to make peace and love among men more reigning. Purpose: To visit a sick person or a single person.

8th day. Our Lady of Lourdes, maternal support of the whole Church, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, protect our Pope and our bishop. Bless all the clergy and especially the priests who make you known and loved. Remember all the deceased priests who have transmitted the life of the soul to us. Purpose: To celebrate a mass for the souls of purgatory and to communicate with this intention.

9th day. Our Lady of Lourdes, hope and consolation of pilgrims, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, having reached the end of this novena, I already want to thank you for all the graces you have obtained for me during these days, and for those that you will still obtain for me. To better receive and thank you, I promise to come and pray to you as often as possible in one of your sanctuaries. Purpose: make a pilgrimage to a Marian shrine once a year, even very close to your residence, or participate in a spiritual retreat.