On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in the

apostolic constitution Ineffabilus Deus. A little more than three years later, on February 11, 1858,

a young lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. Thus began a series of 18 visions ending on

July 16, 1858. During an apparition on March 24, the lady identified herself with the words: “I

am the Immaculate Conception.”

Bernadette was a sickly child of poor parents. Their practice of the Catholic faith was scarcely

more than lukewarm. Bernadette could pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Creed. She

also knew the prayer of the Miraculous Medal: “O Mary, conceived without sin.”

During the interrogations Bernadette gave an account of what she saw. It was “something white

in the shape of a girl.” She used the word aquero, a dialectic term meaning “this thing.” It was “a

pretty young girl with a rosary over her arm.” Her white robe was encircled by a blue girdle. She

wore a white veil. There was a yellow rose on each foot. A rosary was in her hand. Bernadette

was also impressed by the fact that the lady did not use the informal form of address for the word

“you” (tu), but the polite form (vous). The humble virgin appeared to a humble girl and treated

her with dignity.

Through that humble girl, Mary revitalized and continues to revitalize the faith of millions of

people. People began to flock to Lourdes from other parts of France and from all over the world.

Pilgrims renew their faith and find healing in the waters of the grotto’s spring. In 1862 Church

authorities confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions and authorized the reverential honor of

Our Lady of Lourdes for the diocese. The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was first celebrated

worldwide in 1907.

COMMENT: Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, but even more, of faith.

Church authorities have recognized over sixty miraculous cures, although there have probably

been many more. To people of faith this is not surprising. It is a continuation of Jesus’s healing

miracles — now performed at the intercession of his mother.

Some would say that the greater miracles are hidden. Many who visit Lourdes return home with

renewed faith and a readiness to serve God in their needy brothers and sisters. There still may be

people who doubt the apparitions of Lourdes. Perhaps the best that can be said to them are the

words that introduce the film, The Song of Bernadette:

“ For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.”

QUOTE: “Lo! Mary is exempt from stain of sin, Proclaims the Pontiff high; And earth applauding celebrates with joy Her triumph, far and high. Unto a lowly timid maid she shows Her form in beauty fair, and the Immaculate Conception truth Her sacred lips declare”.

(Unattributed hymn from the Roman Breviary).

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