Bernadette is just about the last person that one would expect to have visions of the Virgin Mary. But it happened anyway on February 11, 1858 to a young girl, sickly from birth with bad asthma who never studied her catechism.
Bernadette and St. Catherine Laboure, the visionary of the Miraculous Medal, have both become incorruptibles in death.
The location of the apparitions has become one of the most visited apparition sites around the world due primarily to the healing properties of the spring water which was discovered there during the eighteen visits the Blessed Virgin Mary made to the humble and poor girl.
The Manifestation of Our Lady of Lourdes
The eighteen apparitions occurred between February 11, 1858 to July 16th, 1858. It first occurred as she was off gathering wood for the family fire and was led to a grotto, the hollow rock of Massabielle. St. Bernadette described her as a lady “lovelier than I have ever seen.” She was wearing all white, with a blue sash tied around her waist carrying a rosary on her right arm.
The Lady told Bernadette to drink from the water of a fountain within the grotto which was as yet unknown. Bernadette began scratching on the ground in a fury, and although much time passed, suddenly a spring emerged from the ground. Within a short time, it was gushing the water and people began to come on pilgrimage from around the world to bring their sick and dying in hopes of a potential cure.
The Message of Our Lady of Lourdes
Perhaps one of the most important messages besides that of the Blessed Lady’s desire to heal the sick and suffering and to bring spiritual comfort to all mankind, was a secret that she revealed to St. Bernadette. Because Bernadette was so uncatechized and simple, the selection of her to receive the message was absolutely a manifestation of God’s mysterious ways.
At the time, the Pope was considering adding a dogma to church teaching about the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, claiming that she, too, was born without sin. But he was unsure if this was God’s will, and was waiting for a sign.
One day, the Blessed Lady told Bernadette to tell the priest who knew of these theological debates and discussions going on in the papacy to tell them “The Immaculate Conception has sent you.” The priest immediately understood the importance of these words, and the message was spread to the Pope who took it as his sign to approve of the dogma which has been in place ever since.
Another fascinating aspect of St. Bernadette and her apparitions is that she became an incorruptible after her death. Many still go to the shrine of Lourdes to receive of the healing waters, but just as many go to witness her perfectly incorrupt body preserved in a shrine.
Another apparition of which told a very different message was that of Our Lady of LaSalette and it was Our Lady of Medjugorje who renewed the message of prayer, penance and peace in the world.
Sources:
- Those who Saw Her: Apparitions of Mary, by Catherine M. Odell.
- Catherine Laboure and the Modern Apparitions of Our Lady. by Abbe Omer Englebert.
- Miraculous Images: Photographs Containing God's Fingerprints. by Marilynn Hughes.
- Medjugorje: Light for the World, by Pietro Jacopini
- Our Lady Comes to Garabandal, by Joseph A. Pelletier, A.A.
- The Wonder of Guadalupe, by Francis Johnston.
- The Glories of Czestochowa and Jasna, To the Priests Our Lady's Beloved Sons, by Marian Movement of Priests.
- Our Lady of America, by Sister Mildred Mary Neuzil.
- The Thunder of Justice, by Ted and Maureen Flynn.
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