At 19, although I was Catholic, I got involved in a New Age movement with a friend from high school. This journey, or experiment, dragged me into something I had absolutely no control over. I even traveled overseas with this group. When I came back, I fell into a deep depression. At that time I lived in a type of hell that is hard to describe. I had to be hospitalized. My depression lasted for two and a half years.
Then someone took me to Lourdes. I could not pray there. I went to the baths and then to the grotto of the apparitions, but nothing worked. I needed to be hospitalized again, but I kept an image of Our Lady with me. One day, to my amazement, I was healed. It was on March 25th (feast of the Annunciation to Mary). Since then, I have never fallen into depression again. Little by little, the Lord has restored me, putting people into my life who have helped me.
I returned to church and I started going to confession regularly. I received the sacrament of confirmation. I resumed my studies and graduated from nursing school. Then I married a devout Catholic, with whom I have had three beautiful children. The Church has been with me to guide me through every step of the way.
Florence (France)
Journal des grâces de Lourdes (Journal of Graces) #7, September 2016