OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OUR LADY OF LOURDES SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, FEBRUARY 11, 2023

"I do not promise to make you happy in this world

but in the other."

Our Lady of Lourdes.

MASS READINGS:

Reading 1

Gn 3:9-24

REFLECTION

I will put enmity between you and the woman

On February 11, 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to fourteen year old Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France. There were a total of 18 apparitions.

While Bernadette went to the Gave River to pick up dead wood, there was a vision of a beautiful lady. She was dressed in white with a blue belt, and a yellow rose in each foot. Of the three that were present, Bernadette was the only one who saw her. She prayed the rosary with the beautiful lady.

On February 14, 1858, Bernadette again saw Our Lady. She bent down to sprinkle holy water, stayed for the rosary and left.

On February 18, 1858, the Lady spoke to her and told her, "I do not promise to make you happy in this world but in the other. Would you be kind enough to come here for a fortnight?"

On February 19, 1858, Bernadette came with a lit candle. On February 20, 1858, the Lady taught her a personal prayer. On February 21, 1858, 100 hundred people went with Bernadette. This included the Police Commissioner, Jacomet, who insisted Bernadette tell him what the Lady said. On February 23, 1858, 150 people showed up and a secret "only for her alone" was revealed.

On February 24, 1858, Our Lady told Bernadette, "Penance! Penance! Penance! Pray to God for sinners. Kiss the ground as an act of penance for sinners!"

On February 25, 1858, Bernadette was instructed to go drink of the spring. Bernadette found only muddy water, but on the fourth attempt she was able to drink water. She also was instructed to eat bitter herbs. She told the people who thought she was mad, "It is for sinners."

On February 27, 1858, 800 people accompanied her. But there was silence. Bernadette carried out her usual acts of penance.

On February 28, 1858, 1000 people were present. Bernadette prayed, kissed the ground and moved on her knees as a sign of penance. This time the police threatened to imprison her.

On March 1, 1858, a priest and 1500 people were present. Catherine Latapie went to the Grotto with a dislocated arm, plunged herself into the water and her hand regained full motion.

On March 2, 1858, a very large crowd accompanied Bernadette. The Lady said, "Go and tell the priests that people are to come here in procession and to build a chapel here." Father Peyramale, the Parish priest of Lourdes, demanded her name and a wild rose bush to flower at the Grotto in the middle of winter.

On March 3, 1858, Bernadette was met with a smile from Our Lady.

On March 4, 1858 with 8000 onlookers, Our Lady was silent.

On March 25, 1858, the name was finally revealed but there was no rose bush miracle. She told Bernadette, " I am the Immaculate Conception". The name had been declared a dogma four years prior by Pope Pius IX.

On April 7, 1858, Bernadette held a lit candle with the flame touching her hand but there was no injury to her hand.

On July 16, 1858, there was a barrier blocking entry into the grotto. Bernadette had to go a different route to visit Our Lady. This was the final apparition.

Mother Mary is always at work bringing souls to her Son and praying for sinners.

We are told to help one another and bear each other's burden.

Pray the rosary for ourselves and others. PAPA prays primarily for priests. Say the PAPA prayer for priests and offer a rosary as penance for all sinners.

God Bless You