February 11: The Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes

This feast day has personal significance but first I offer this:

The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in southern France is the most visited pilgrimage site in the world -- principally because of the apparent healing properties of the waters of the spring that appeared during the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a poor, fourteen-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubiroux.

The first apparition occurred February 11, 1858. There were eighteen in all; the last took place July 16, of the same year. Bernadette often fell into an ecstasy during these apparitions, as was witnessed by the hundreds who attended the later visions, though no one except Bernadette ever saw or heard the apparition.

The mysterious vision Bernadette saw in the hollow of the rock Massabielle, where she and friends had gone to gather firewood, was that of a young and beautiful lady. "Lovelier than I have ever seen" said the child. She described the Lady as clothed in white, with a blue ribbon sash and a Rosary handing from her right arm. Now and then the apparition spoke to Bernadette.

One day, the Lady told the girl to drink of a mysterious fountain within the grotto itself, the existence of which was unknown, and of which there was no sign. But Bernadette scratched at the ground, and a spring immediately bubbled up and soon gushed forth. On another occasion the apparition bade Bernadette go and tell the priests she wished a chapel to be built on the spot and processions to be made to the grotto. At first the clergy were incredulous. The priest said he would not believe it unless the apparition gave Bernadette her name. After another apparition, Bernadette reported that the Lady told her, "I am the Immaculate Conception". Though the girl was unfamiliar with the term, the Pope had declared the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary in 1854.

The observance of this feast is extended to the entire Church; it is now observed on February 11.

During the 1980’s, in connection with an episode of blindness, I traveled with a group of Parishioners from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chiefland, FL and Holy Family Parish in Williston, FL to this Shrine in France. I was blessed to celebrate Mass on the main altar of the Bascilica before a full church. Additionally, I was privileged to drink the water from one of the many fountains and accepted the honor of being “lowered” into the miraculous water. It was an experience I will never forget.

I should add that my vision is fine today (except for reading glasses, I’m getting older). Yes, I had a great team of doctors in Jacksonville, FL who worked with me and to whom I am grateful for care. I also believe and I am convinced that this journey to Lourdes assisted my recovery.