9th and 10th Apparitions

The 9th Apparition is perhaps the most famous because at this apparition, we were all given a remedy for our infirmities: the water.

It was nearly dawn when Bernadette was called to the Grotto and there were many people present. All these people could see was Bernadette looking under the rocks, going to the River Gave, and finally drinking the dirty, muddy water found under a rock at the Grotto and eating the weeds.  To those that observed this, Bernadette had lost her head.  To those without faith, she was a live comedy show, maybe what we today would call a reality show.  It wasn't until the next two Apparitions that things would become a little clearer.

People did not notice, as they laughed and doubted, Bernadette's behavior, the water was becoming clearer and flowing stronger.  The following day was the 10th Apparition.


At the 10th Apparition, we see Bernadette drink and wash a bit in the water.  We also see her on her knees kissing the ground and going up to the Grotto on her knees.  Bernadette tells us that the "beautiful lady" asked her to make this sacrifice for the sinners in the world.

Something very special is happening at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid as well.
In this Year of Mercy, Bishop Lennon has asked us to be one of the sites of the Holy Door in the Cleveland Diocese.  The other site is St. John's Cathedral.

Once again, Mary's Shrine becomes a site of great mercy and forgiveness.  For anyone who walks through the Holy Door, says an Our Father and Hail Mary for the intentions of the Holy Father, and goes to Mass and Confession a week before or a week after walking through the Holy Door, will receive a spiritual plenary indulgence.  This means that any time to be spent in Purgatory is lessened either for you, for a deceased person, a person you are praying for, or the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Talk to your Parishes about making a Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine!  Experience the outpouring of Mercy!

Opening of the Holy Door

Sunday, April 3rd - 10:00am - Opening of the Holy Doors

The Ceremony begins under the pavilion and continues with a procession to the front Doors of the Chapel, followed by Mass, celebrated by Bishop Richard Lennon.

Attendance is by ticket only, unfortunately all tickets have been distributed.  If you were unable to get a ticket, please visit the Shrine in the afternoon!





Receive an indulgence by making a Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine:

• Walk through the Holy Door
• Say an Our Father and Hail Mary for the intention of the Holy Father
• Go to Mass and Communion
• Go to Confession (a week before or a week after making the Pilgrimage)

Fulfill all of these holy practices and receive the Mercy of God: an indulgence for yourself, someone deceased, someone you are praying for, or those Holy Souls in Purgatory.

A plenary indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to be suffered for sins that have already been forgiven.  

Shrine Masses:

Weekdays:  7:00am - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

                    5:00pm - Tuesday (Holy Hour 3:30-4:30pm)

Saturday:     8:00am

Sunday:        April - October
                     8:00am - in the Chapel
                     9:30am - (April - in the Chapel);  (May - October, weather permitting, in the Grotto)


Shrine Confessions:
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the Month (April - October)  5:30pm - 7:00pm

Bernadette - 8th Apparition - Penance

Last month we spoke about how Mary slowly prepared St. Bernadette by interior change begun by prayer.  This month, we will address the beginning of Bernadette's public mission given to her at the 8th apparition.


During this apparition, Bernadette's face showed many expressions.  She would look like she was extremely happy at one moment and extremely sad at the next.  When she came out of her ecstasy, she could be heard saying the words: "Penance, Penance, Penance."

In fact, Mary had told her to do Penance for sinners in the world and later that would be the instruction for all of us.  It was Lent when Mary began these visits to Bernadette, just like it is Lent now today.



What Penance have we offered up for sinners?

We too are sinners.  How do we try to make reparation with the Lord for our sins?




Confession is the most obvious way.





Prayer, fasting, and alms giving are what the Church advises us to do anyway.  Mary has a way of reminding us of the good things that we need to do.  Mary takes things one step further, in the 9th apparition, which will be discussed next month.