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Catholic Faith Corner

Living in the Light
of Jesus Christ

Why Our Lady of Lourdes? Prayer and Penance

Today is February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. There are 69 approved miracles of physical healing that occurred at Lourdes, France. (About 7,000 have been submitted.) But perhaps there are many more miracles of spiritual healing resulting from Mary’s visit to Earth back in 1858. I’m willing to bet that almost every family has at least one member who is in need of a miracle, physical or spiritual. We can help heal these sick people by enlisting Mary’s aid. After all, she has been declared our mother by the Church and by Jesus himself. She is the one who prompted Jesus’ first public miracle when the wine had run out at Cana—and at a time when he wasn’t inclined to do so! This Jewish mother has clout with her Son. Here is today’s reflection from my book “Heart to Heart with Mary,” which you might find meaningful right now:

Praying for Sinners

Our Lady of Lourdes

February 11

My child, most people associate Lourdes, France, with healing waters, the rosary, and the Immaculate Conception. Sadly, many overlook the main purpose of my visits there—to urge everyone to pray and do penance for the conversion of sinners. I have the identical message for you, dear one.

My heart aches for my children who continue to disregard God’s laws, harming others and themselves. They are teetering on the edge of a deep pit. They are oblivious to the grave danger they are in—close to losing eternal life. Someone in your family or a friend of yours may be among these lost sheep. If so, I understand how you wish they would turn their life around.

My son’s sacrifice needn’t be in vain in their case. Pray to me for the wayward people you are concerned about—by name if possible. I will join my prayers with yours to the Father. With my help you might also perform acts of penance for their sake. Together we can work to ensure that those you care for are saved. I look forward to tenderly embracing all of you in the next world.

™  Talk to Mary about how you can respond to her request.

We also celebrate Valentine’s Day this week. We might remember that tremendous Lover whose sacred heart was pierced for love of us. He wants nothing more than to have us love him passionately in return.

 

I’ve never been to Lourdes, have you?  If so, what was it like? Did you bathe in the healing waters there?

Here is a video of the procession at Lourdes when the hymn “Immaculate Mary” is sung”:

https://binged.it/2MYsSGY

 

2 Responses

  1. I have been to Lourdes in 1993. It is a beautiful place.

    It’s hard to believe how Lourdes has grown in the
    past 100 years.

    The healing waters are wonderful, however
    very cold. I believe in miracles. The blessed
    Mother never fails!

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