A Moslem Prince Prays to Our Lady of Lourdes

The visit of Moslems to Lourdes came about in a very gracious way by an 8-year old child, the young Crown Prince of Morocco. In a way, the event resembles an episode of a tale from the Arabian Nights-this child came, at the request of his father, the King of Morocco, to pray to the good and mysterious Lady of the Grotto of Massabielle; and the Lady is called Miriam and she is the Mother of Jesus for the Moslems too. The date was September 14, 1971. The Prince was accompanied by his three sisters Lalla Meriem (9 years old), Lalla Asma (6 years old) and Lalla Hasma (4 years old). The children were escorted by Mr. Aouad, Minister in charge of the Prince's education, and by the children's nanny and her helper, both Frenchwomen... The priest in charge of the Grotto gave the group some short explanations. With the Minister's permission, and upon the Prince and Princesses' request, he gave some images of Our Lady of Lourdes to them. On this occasion the Minister announced the King's formal intention of wanting his children to visit Lourdes and pray for him, his family and his country. As the royal visitors were taking leave of the priest, the Minister told him, "The King will be very sensitive to the warm welcome you gave his children and I would like to thank you on his behalf."