On February 11, 1858, a young girl named Bernadette, her sister, and a friend were out collecting firewood. They lived in Lourdes, a small town in France. Bernadette suddenly saw a beautiful woman praying the Rosary. A few days later, she saw the woman again at the same spot. The apparitions continued for the next two weeks, and as news of the apparitions spread, crowds grew to come and pray, and to drink from the the spring of water that suddenly appeared with miraculous healing qualities. The woman eventually identified herself as “The Immaculate Conception”, and today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
CHALLENGE
The Blessed Virgin Mary told St. Bernadette, “I do not promise to make you happy in this world, but in the other,” and indeed, St. Bernadette spent her life suffering from chronic poor health, jealousy, and suspicion. Are you or someone close to you suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually? Say the Rosary today and ask for strength in accepting sufferings in this life in exchange for happiness in the next.
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