On 11th February, Lourdes commemorates the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl who went to the grotto of Massabielle, on the banks of the Gave de Pau, to collect wood.
Thousands of pilgrims are expected to come and pray with us to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Come and enjoy this special day in a place where the sick always come first.
The account of the first apparition
“I went to the riverbank to gather wood with two other little girls. They crossed the water and started crying. I asked them why they were crying. They replied that the water was cold. I asked them to help me throw stones into the water so that I could cross without taking off my shoes. They replied that I should do as they did. So, I went a little further to see if I could cross without taking off my shoes. I couldn’t. So, I went back towards the grotto to take off my shoes. As I began to do so, I heard a rustling sound. I turned towards the meadow and saw that the trees were not moving at all. I continued to take off my shoes; I heard the same rustling sound. I looked up at the grotto. I saw a Lady dressed in white: she had a white dress and a blue belt and a yellow rose on each foot, the same colour as the beads of her rosary. When I saw this, I rubbed my eyes; I thought I was mistaken. I put my hand in my pocket and found my rosary. I wanted to make the sign of the cross, but I couldn’t raise my hand to my forehead: it fell down. The vision made the sign of the cross. Then my hand trembled; I tried to do it and I could. I recited my rosary, fingering the beads; the vision did the same, but did not move her lips. When I had finished my rosary, the vision suddenly disappeared. I asked the others if they had seen anything, and they said no. They asked me what it was, that I should tell them. So, I told them that I had seen a Lady dressed in white, but that I did not know what it was, and that they should not tell anyone. Then they told me that I should not come back again; I told them no”.
Yours humbly and devotedly.
Bernadette Soubirous
Excerpt from the first handwritten account of the Apparitions, addressed ‘To the most venerable Father Gondrand, of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, at Bétharram’. This handwritten account was preceded by countless oral accounts given by Bernadette to pilgrims and several ‘statements’ made to public officials.
Pray the novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
Blessed Virgin Mary, under your tutelage,
Bernadette entered into a relationship with the Holy Trinity through the sign of the Cross.
By teaching her prayer and penance for sinners, you showed her the joy of salvation.
You revealed to her the beauty of your most pure heart when you told her, “I am the Immaculate Conception”.
With Bernadette, we turn to you full of trust in your maternal intercession.
Accept the intentions that we carry in our hearts during this novena of prayer (especially for…)
Our Lady of Lourdes,
We pray to you especially for our own conversion and that of all sinners.
Watch over all those who suffer in body or soul.
In the hope that Life will triumph over death, we want to sing with you, here and now, the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
