Our LADY of LOURDES-Faith, no explanation is necessary. Without faith, no explanation is possible.

Thomas Aquinas:To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
Marie Bernadette Soubirous, Lourdes, France, Born January 7, 1844-1879
Feast Day: February 18 Visionary: Bernadette Soubirous Number of Apparitions: a total of 18 times between February 11 and July 16, 1858., Miracles and Signs: The well of water, countless miracle healings, incorrupt body of Bernadette. Bernadette was canonized in December 1933 by Pope Pius XI.
1st Apparition February 11, 1858 Bernadette went to Massabielle and collected firewood on the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes with one of her sisters and a friend. Bernadette saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a cave above the riverbank.
8th Apparition February 24th, the Lady said, “Penitence,” then, “Would you pray to God for the conversion of sinners?”
9th Apparition February 25, instructed Bernadette to drink from a place in the rock. She did so and, the next day, a spring began to flow freely.
16th Apparition March 25th, did she say, “I am the Immaculate Conception” and directed Bernadette to build a chapel on the site and “Pray for the conversion of sinners.”
18th Apparition; The authorities tried to prevent people from coming to the Grotto, fenced off the area and handed out fines for those talking about it. Bernadette slipped away to the meadow on the far bank of the Gave for her final meeting with the Lady who gave Bernadette a message for all: “Pray and do penance for the conversion of the world.” Bernadette said “Never had I seen her looking so beautiful.”
1862 Approved: Pope Pius IX The apparitions were ecclesiastically approved and declared the authentic and local bishop authorized to permit the veneration of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes.
1866 Bernadette, joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers.
1879 Bernadette died at the age of 35 was buried in convent grounds.
1908 Bernadette’s body was exhumed and was found to be intact and incorrupt by the commission formed to examine her life and character.
1913 Bernadette conferred Venerable 1913 by Pope Pius X.
1933 Bernadette canonized a Saint by Pope Pius XI December 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WATER
Faith is the ‘secret’ ingredient. St. Bernadette at the command of Our Lady, was asked her to drink of the as-yet-unseen spring and wash in it. As Bernadette said, “One must have faith and pray; the water will have no virtue without faith.”
THERE IS INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EVALUATION Pope Saint Pius X established the Lourdes Medical Bureau to investigate cases of medical miracles. This Medical Bureau is a medical institution and not under Church supervision. Over 7,000 people have asked to have their cases declared as miraculous cures, yet fewer than 70 been signed off on by both the Church and the Lourdes Medical Bureau as being cures with no scientific explanation. Because this system for rigorous investigation was established early and openly, verified miracles from Lourdes are considered to be the most reliable and least controversial.
Pilgrims generally travel to Lourdes from April to October but 15th August, Assumption of Mary, is the main feast day in Lourdes and a very special day at the shrine.
A candle lit procession takes place every night at 9pm since 1872. This beautiful procession lasts for approximately one hour and half; and pilgrims finish at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Three Basilicas in Lourdes: Around the Grotto of Massabielle, the place where the events of the Lourdes apparitions occurred. In addition, pilgrims can also visit the Crypt and Saint Bernadette’s Church.
1866 Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, (Upper Basilica) initiated by Virgin Mary 13th apparition: “Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here and that people should come in procession.” Blessing of 1871, Consecration of 1876.
1889 Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary Blessing of 1889, Consecration of 1901 Dedicated art: mosaic representing the mysteries of the Rosary.
1958 The Basilica of St Pius X (Underground Basilica) celebrates the 100th anniversary of apparitions.
“Proclaiming Truth in Catholic SONG” is my apostolate and evangelistic endeavor. A melodious Catechism Catechize 101 of beliefs, combining music, art, scripture and tradition, to faithfully express the teachings of the Magisterium of Faith, Doctrine, Dogma and Sacred Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. ✠ IMPRIMATUR Sacred Songs, January 18, 2009, Most Rev. John C. Neinstedt, S.T.D. Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
USED WITH PERMISSION Pope St. John Paul II, with Monstrance and Divine Mercy image © Nelson Fine Art & Gifts⎮catholictothemax.com
(no relationship to Philip Robert Nelson)
To Live your faith, To Learn your faith, To Share your faith! TEACH Like St. Thomas, DEFEND Like St. Michael, REPENT Like St. Augustine!