MARIAN APPARITION AT LOURDES


Marian apparition at Lourdes
Marian apparition at Lourdes

By Edward Matulanya

Our Lady of Lourdes (France, 1858

)

Seer

Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl from Lourdes, France (Zimdars-Swartz, 1991).

Location

Grotto of Massabielle, Lourdes, France (McNamara, 2007).

Date

February 11 – July 16, 1858 (Vatican News, 2020).

Description of the Apparitions:

1. First Apparition (February 11, 1858):

Bernadette reported seeing a beautiful lady dressed in white, with a blue sash and a yellow rose on each foot. The lady smiled and silently observed her. Bernadette felt a deep sense of peace and holiness during the encounter (Vatican News, 2020).

2. Subsequent Apparitions

Over 18 apparitions, Mary spoke to Bernadette, instructing her to pray, do penance, and build a chapel at the site.


Mary revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception on March 25, 1858, emphasizing her sinless nature (Zimdars-Swartz, 1991).

She encouraged devotion to God and prayers for sinners, often requesting that people come to the grotto to pray and drink from its waters (McNamara, 2007).

3. The Miraculous Spring

Mary indicated a spring of water at the grotto. The spring became known for its healing properties, and many pilgrims have reported miraculous cures, confirmed by the Lourdes Medical Bureau (Vatican News, 2020).

Significance

Religious: Strengthened devotion to the Immaculate Conception and encouraged prayer, penance, and trust in God (Zimdars-Swartz, 1991).

Cultural

Lourdes became a major pilgrimage site, attracting millions annually (McNamara, 2007).

Theological

Emphasized Mary’s role as intercessor and mother of mercy.

Church Approval

Approved by the Catholic Church in 1862.

Feast day 

The liturgical Celebration of Marian apparition at Lourdes is on February 11.

Pilgrimage site: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, visited by millions seeking spiritual and physical healing.

Messages of Our Lady of Lourdes

The messages conveyed during the apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous emphasized prayer, penance, and devotion to God, and were communicated both verbally and symbolically:

1. Call to Prayer and Penance

Mary encouraged Bernadette and the faithful to pray for sinners and perform penance.

The emphasis was on conversion of heart and reconciliation with God (Zimdars-Swartz, 1991).

2. Revelation of Her Immaculate Conception

On March 25, 1858, Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, affirming her sinless nature.

This reinforced devotion to the Immaculate Conception, which had been formally defined by Pope Pius IX just four years earlier, in 1854 (McNamara, 2007).

3. Significance of the Spring

Mary directed Bernadette to drink and wash in the waters of the grotto, which became a site of miraculous healings.

This act symbolized spiritual and physical cleansing and trust in God’s providence (Vatican News, 2020).

4. Call to Build a Chapel

Mary instructed Bernadette to inform the local clergy to construct a chapel at the grotto, creating a place for public devotion and pilgrimage.

This highlighted the importance of a visible space for prayer and community worship (Zimdars-Swartz, 1991).

5. Emphasis on Humility and Simplicity

Bernadette, a poor and uneducated girl, was chosen as the seer, conveying Mary’s message that God’s grace is accessible to all, regardless of social status (McNamara, 2007).

References

McNamara, P. (2007). Lourdes: A journey of faith. Dublin, Ireland: Veritas.

Vatican News. (2020, July 15). Lourdes to host first online world pilgrimage. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-07/lourdes-to-host-first-online-world-pilgrimage.html

Zimdars-Swartz, S. L. (1991). Encountering Mary: From La Salette to Medjugorje. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

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