Saint of the day for 11 February: the story of Our Lady of Lourdes

On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in the apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus. A little over three years later, on February 11, 1858, a young woman appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. This began a series of visions. During the apparition on 25 March, the lady identified herself with the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception”. Bernadette was a sick daughter of poor parents. Their practice of the Catholic faith was little more than lukewarm. Bernadette could pray to the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Creed. He also knew the prayer of the Miraculous Medal: “O Mary conceived without sin”.

During the interrogations Bernadette told what she saw. It was "something white in the shape of a girl". He used the word aquero, a dialect word that means "this thing". She was "a pretty young girl with a rosary on her arm". His white robe was surrounded by a blue belt. She wore a white veil. There was a yellow rose on each foot. He had a rosary in his hand. Bernadette was also struck by the fact that the lady did not use the informal form of the address (tu), but the gentile form (vous). The humble virgin appeared to a humble girl and treated her with dignity. Through that humble girl, Maria has revitalized and continues to revitalize the faith of millions of people. People have started to flock to Lourdes from other parts of France and from all over the world. In 1862 the ecclesiastical authorities confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions and authorized the cult of Our Lady of Lourdes for the diocese. The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes went global in 1907.

Reflection: Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, but even more of faith. Church authorities have recognized over 60 miracle cures, although there have probably been many more. For people of faith this is not surprising. It is a continuation of Jesus' healing miracles, now performed through the intercession of his mother. Some would say that the greatest miracles are hidden. Many who visit Lourdes return home with renewed faith and ready to serve God in their needy brothers and sisters. There may still be people who doubt the Lourdes apparitions. Perhaps the best that can be said to them are the words that introduce the film The Song of Bernadette: “For those who believe in God no explanation is needed. For those who don't believe, no explanation is possible “.