Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

World Day of Prayer for the Sick

Our Lady of Lourdes- Pray for us.

Located in the Pyrenees Mountain region of France, Lourdes is the home of one of the most important shrines in the Catholic Faith: the Grotto of Massabielle. Approximately five million pilgrims, of whom a great number are sick come to Lourdes each year.

Between February 11 and July 26, 1858, (161 years ago) Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl, experienced 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the nearby Massabielle grotto.

During the 18 Apparitions the Virgin Mary spoke to Bernadette suggesting the people come in procession.

The response of millions to that invitation is made in Lourdes each year, a world centre of pilgrimage and a special place of meeting between God and people.