Our Lady of Lourdes

On this day 152 years ago, Our Blessed Lady began a series of 18 apparitions to the young teenager, Bernadette Soubirous. In the course of the apparitions, Mary revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, a title which had been proclaimed as a dogma of faith only four years before. This was not only a confirmation of the dogma but also a sign of Mary's maternal desire that we pray more often, using the rosary in particular, so that we would dwell on the key events in the life of Jesus, and thus come to know, love and serve him more. She also displayed her motherly concern for the sick and the poor. 67 miracles of healing have been officially recognized by the Church since then. Many, many others, both physical and spiritual, have been claimed but not officially recognized. Of course, Bernadette's report of having seen a "beautiful lady" was not accepted at first and caused her much suffering. The skeptics began to believe only when they saw the signs...the miraculous spring and the healings.
Mary's desire for us to follow the basic teachings of Jesus is at the root of these visits from heaven...always, it seems to children, who have not been hardened by skepticism, but whose hearts are open and receptive. She knows our propenstiy to demand "signs" and gives them...anything to help us believe, so great it her love for us.
The following prayer was dictated by Mary to Jelena, a locutionist (one who hears the voice of Mary, but does not have a vision of her). It is her way of helping us to pray and to show us how to return the great love she has for us:
"O Immaculate Heart of Mary, overflowing with goodness, show us your love. May the flame of your heart, O Mary, descend upon all people. We love you so very much. Impress true love in our hearts. May our hearts yearn for you. O Mary, sweet and humble of heart, remember us even when we sin. You know that we are all sinners. through your most sacred and motherly heart, heal us of every spiritual illness. Make us capable of realizing the beauty of your maternal heart, and in this way, may we be converted by the flame of your heart. Amen. "
Bro. Rene