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 This feast celebrates the tenderness of God's Mother, the Virgin Mary, for all of us on earth, and focuses on an important aspect - her Immaculate Conception - that Mary, the future mother of the Messiah, at her own birth, was preserved free of original sin.
In 1858, Our Lady appeared to fourteen-year-old Bernadette Soubirous as she and two companions gathered firewood. Bernadette suffered much but Our Lady appeared to her seventeen times. During the sixteenth visit, Our Lady identified herself as the Immaculate Conception. After four years of investigation, the Church finally stated that Bernadette's claims were credible, and that Our Lady had appeared to her.
On 11th February we honour Our Lady of Lourdes in our Mass. This is the 157th anniversary of her 1st Apparition at Massabielle in Lourdes, France. It is World Day of the Sick and an appropriate occasion for the priest to bless the sick at Mass.
Prayer to our Lady of Lourdes
O holy Virgin.
In the midst of your days of glory,
do not forget the sorrow of this earth.
Cast a merciful glance upon those who are suffering,
struggling against difficulties,
with their lips constantly pressed against life's bitter cup.
Have pity on those who love each other and are separated.
Have pity on our rebellious hearts.
Have pity on our weak faith.
Have pity on those we love.
Have pity on those who weep, on those who pray,
on those who fear.
Grant hope and peace to all. Amen.
(Abbé Perreyve)
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