The Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes – February 11

A beautiful Lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous (at 14 years old age) 18 times from February 11 to July 16, 1858 near Lourdes, France. This began a series of visions while Bernadette did not know who she was. During the apparition on March 25, the lady identified herself with the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” St. Bernadette did not know what that meant.

More than 3 years earlier before apparitions, on December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in the apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus. 

Bernadette was a sickly child of poor parents and their Catholic faith was scarcely more than lukewarm. During authorities interrogations Bernadette gave an account of what she saw. It was “something white in the shape of a girl.” It was “a pretty young girl with a rosary over Her arm.” Her white robe was encircled by a blue girdle. She wore a white veil. There was a yellow rose on each foot. A rosary was in her hand. Bernadette was also impressed by the fact that the lady did not use the informal form to address her, but the polite form. The humble Virgin appeared to a humble girl and treated her with dignity.

Mary's apparition to Bernadette revitalized and continues to revitalize the faith of millions in the world. People from all over the world start Visiting Lourdes. In 1862 Church 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 became worldwide in 1907.

Since then, Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage for prayer and healing. Church have recognized over 60 miraculous cures out of so many more miraculous healing and events. It is a continuation of Jesus’ healing miracles, now performed at the intercession of His Mother. The Shrine and miraculous healing waters honor "The Immaculate Conception of Mary."
There are many who doubt these apparitions, in order to know more about, a good place to start would be to watch the film “The Song of Bernadette”. 
Lourdes attracts millions of visitors each year, thousands of people do procession every evening holding lighted candles in their hands and praying the 20 Decades of the Rosary.

Our Lady of Lourdes if the Patron Saint of Bodily Ills, pray a Rosary in honor of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, February 11th.

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