December 2015 - Our Lady of Lourdes story - 5

Happy Thanksgiving!  Happy Advent!  Merry Christmas!

Continuing the story ...

Mary appeared to Bernadette 18 times. 
On the 3rd apparition, Bernadette was accompanied by two women of the village.  When Bernadette saw the "beautiful lady", she began to say the Rosary as did the two women.  it was at this apparition that Mary asked Bernadette to come to the Grotto for 15 days.  Mary told Bernadette at this time she should come and not expect any favor of this world.  Mary said, "I did not come to make you happy here on earth, but in Heaven."

While they were praying, one of the women who was with her withdrew a bit.  She carried an internal weight and felt unworthy to be there.  When she asked if she should remain, Bernadette told her that the "beautiful lady" smiled at her and that there was no reason why she should not come.

The ladies wanted to know who this apparition was so they brought with them an inkwell and pen.  When Bernadette presented this to the Lady, she simply said, "It is not necessary." 

This beautiful story continues, but isn't it a bit like ours?  How many times do we approach Jesus and his Mother and think we are not worthy?  Just imagine in your heart, Mary smiling at you and saying there is no reason why you should not come.

As we approach Jesus' birth at Christmas, we should be there with him and the other adorers in the manger.

November 2015 - Our Lady of Lourdes story - 4

We pick up our Lourdes story with the beginning of apparitions. 

News spread like wildfire ... the entire town heard that Bernadette had seen a "beautiful lady" at the garbage dump called Massabielle.  Some people thought Bernadette was making it all up for attention.  Why would a "beautiful lady" appear to an uneducated peasant girl with a questionable family reputation in a garbage dump?

 

Stop for a moment.  Identify that moment in your life when what seemed signed, sealed, and delivered was turned totally upside down.  Did any good come of that experience?  In hindsight, was the change in the situation even better than what you were expecting?  If we cooperate with God, he will always send us what is better for us even if at first it seems to be the worst thing possible. 

 

That is what the apparitions were for Bernadette and her family.  It turned everything upside down.  Bernadette's experience was not that much different than ours is today.  We might not have an apparition, but we face the same problems.  

 

Her aunts convinced Mrs. Soubirous to allow Bernadette to go to the next apparitions.  They accompanied Bernadette to the Grotto, protecting her from the crowd hemming her in.  All of a sudden, everyone wanted to touch Bernadette, a little poor girl, and to give her items to give the "beautiful lady".

 

 

We invite you to come into the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and visit the "beautiful lady."