Une Minute avec Marie
Faire connaître et aimer Marie
On July 16, 1858, Bernadette (the seer of Our Lady of Lourdes) felt mysteriously drawn to the Grotto … but its access had been closed off. So she stayed on the opposite side of the Gave River, and that is where she saw the Virgin Mary for the last time: “It felt like I was right in front of the cave, just like before. I only saw the Virgin, and never had she looked so beautiful!”
Lourdes summons images of healings, miracles, masses and processions. It is a highpoint of Catholic tradition. But we should look back at the founding event, to remember the significance of Lourdes at the time, and for today’s Catholics in France.
Lourdes attracts diocesan and national pilgrimages, Eucharistic and Marian conferences, pilgrimages for the young, the aged, men, women, various organizations, veterans, prisoners …. Faith and Light, Lourdes Cancer Hope ... we could go on and on. And each year on August 15th, the solemn consecration of France to the Virgin Mary, established by King Louis XIII in 1638, is renewed in Lourdes.