Our Lady of Lourdes – 11 Feb
The memorial commemorates the eighteen (18) apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette Soubiroux that occurred between 11 February and 16 July of 1858 near the town of Lourdes in the Hautes-Pyrenees region of France. Though there would be other people with her, only Saint Bernadette could see the Lady.
During the 9th appearance, on 25 February, the Lady told Bernadette to drink from a spring that suddenly appeared in the grotto where the apparitions occurred. During the 12th appearance, on 1 March, a visitor washed her arm in water from the spring, and some nerve damage in it was immediately cured. There is a tradition of miraculous cures at the grotto, or received by those who drink or are bathed in its waters. Bernadette later said that the water had no special properties, but it helped focus the faithful who received the cures through faith and prayer.
During the 13th appearance, on 2 March, the Lady told Bernadette to tell local priests that they should build a chapel at the grotto, and have processions to be made to it; the priests were understandably skeptical, but due to the numbers of pilgrims coming to the area, construction of several churches was started within a few years.
During the 16th appearance, on 25 March, the Lady identified herself as “the Immaculate Conception“.
Due to the number of people gathering at the site, and making treks to the area, on 8 June 1858, the mayor of Lourdes barricaded the grotto and stationed guards to prevent public access; visitors were fined for kneeling near the grotto or talking about it, and Bernadette saw the last appearance of the Lady from outside the barricade. The grotto was re-opened to the public in October 1858 by order of Emperor Louis Napoleon III, and the pilgrims have not stopped coming since.
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
Lord have mercy;
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy;
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy;
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us;
Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven;
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit;
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God;
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary;
Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God;
Pray for us.
Mother of Christ;
Pray for us.
Mother of our Savior;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, help of Christians;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, source of love;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the poor;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the handicapped;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of orphans;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of all children;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of all nations;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, mother of the Church;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, friend of the lonely;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, comforter of those who mourn;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, shelter of the homeless;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, guide of travelers;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, strength of the weak;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, refuge of sinners;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, comforter of the suffering;
Pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, help of the dying;
Pray for us.
Queen of heaven;
Pray for us.
Queen of peace;
Pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Spare us O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;
Have mercy on us.
Christ hear us;
Christ graciously hear us.
Let us pray: Grant us, your servants, we pray you, Lord God, to enjoy perpetual health of mind and body. By the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrows, and enjoy everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(catholicsaints.info)