VATICAN - «Qué era Immaculada Councepciou» The 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (1)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1850. Four years later in the small French town of Lourdes, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a little girl Bernadette Soubirous. The 'Lady' appeared to the girl in all 18 times and when asked her name during the 16 apparition the 'Lady' replied in local dialect: “qué soy era Immaculada Councepciou”, 'I am the Immaculate Conception'. In the coming days Fides will give a daily account of the apparitions as Bernadette herself told the people around her.
First Apparition Thursday 11 February 1858:
"The Thursday before Ash Wednesday it was cold and the weather was threatening. After our dinner, our mother told us there was no more wood in the house and she was vexed. My sister Antoinette and I, to please her, offered to go and pick up dry branches at the riverside. My mother said no, because the weather was bad and we might be in danger of falling into the Gave. Jeanne Abadie, our neighbour and friend, who was looking after her little brother in our house and who wanted to come with us, took her brother back to his house and returned the next moment telling us that she had leave to come with us. My mother still hesitated, but seeing that there were three of us, she let us go. We took first of all the road which leads to the cemetary, by the side of which wood shavings can sometimes be found. That day we found nothing there. We came down by the side which leads near the Gave and having arrived at the Pont Vieux we wondered if it would be best to go up or down the river. We decided to go down and taking the forest road we arrived at Merlasse. Then we went into Monsieur de la Fittes field, by the mill of Savy. "As soon as we had reached the end of this field, nearly opposite the grotto of Massabieille, we were stopped by the canal of the mill we had just passed. The current of this canal was not strong for the mill was not working, but the water was cold and I for my part was afraid to go in.
Jeanne Abadie and my sister, less timid than I, took their sabots in their hands and crossed the stream. However, when they were on the other side they called out that it was cold and bent down to rub their feet and warm them. All this increased my fear and I thought that if I went into the water I should get an attack of asthma. So I asked Jeanne, who was bigger and stronger than I, to take me on her shoulders. 'I should think not!' she answered - 'If you won't come, stay where you are!'. "After the others had picked up some pieces of wood under the grotto, they disappeared along the Gave.
When I was alone, I threw some stones into the water to give me a foothold, but it was no use. So I had to make up my mind to take off my sabots and cross the canal as Jeanne and my sister had done. "I had just begun to take off my first stocking when suddenly I heard a great noise like the sound of a storm. I looked to the right and to the left, under the trees of the river, but nothing moved; I thought I was mistaken. I went on taking off my shoes and stockings, when I heard a fresh noise like the first. Then I was frightened and stood straight up. I lost all power of speech and thought when, turning my head toward the grotto, I saw at one of the openings of the rock a bush - only one - moving as if it were very windy. Almost at the same time, there came out of the interior of the grotto a golden coloured cloud, and soon after a Lady, young and beautiful, exceedingly beautiful, the like of whom I had never seen before, came and placed herself at the entrance of the opening, above the rose bush. She looked at me immediately, smiled at me and signed to me to advance, as if She had been my Mother.
All fear had left me, but I seemed to know no longer where I was. I rubbed my eyes, I shut them, I opened them; but the Lady was still there continuing to smile at me and making me understand that I was not mistaken. Without thinking of what I was doing I took my Rosary in my hands and went on my knees. The Lady made with Her head a sign of approval and Herself took into Her hands a Rosary which hung on Her right arm. When I attempted to begin the Rosary and tried to lift my hand to my forehead, my arm remained paralysed, and it was only after the Lady had signed Herself that I could do the same. The Lady left me to pray all alone; She passed the beads of Her Rosary between Her fingers but She said nothing; only at the end of each decade did She say the Gloria with me. "When the recitation of the Rosary was finished, the Lady returned to the interior of the rock and the golden coloured cloud disappeared with Her".
When asked to describe the Lady of the vision, Bernadette said - "She has the appearance of a young girl of sixteen or seventeen. She is dressed in a white robe, girdled at the waist with a blue ribbon which flows down all along Her robe. She wears upon Her head a veil which is also white; this veil gives just a glimpse of Her hair and then falls down at the back below Her waist. Her feet are bare but covered by the last folds of Her robe except at the point where a yellow rose shines upon each of them. She holds on Her right arm a Rosary of white beads with a chain of gold shining like the two roses on Her feet."
Bernadette then continued with her story -
"As soon as the Lady had disappeared Jeanne Abadie and my sister returned to the Grotto and found me on my knees in the same place where they had left me. They laughed at me, calling me an imbecile and asked me if I would go back with them or not. I now had no difficulty in going into the stream and I felt the water as warm as the water used for washing plates and dishes. 'You had no reason to make such an outcry' I said to Jeanne and my sister Marie, while drying my feet; 'the water of the canal is not as cold as you would make me believe'. They replied, 'You are fortunate not to find it so - we found it very cold'. "I asked Jeanne and Marie if they had noticed anything at the Grotto - 'No', they answered. 'Why do you ask us?'. 'Oh, nothing' I replied indifferently. But before we got to the house, I told my sister Marie of the extraordinary things which had happened to me at the Grotto, asking her to keep it a secret. "Throughout the whole day, the image of the Lady remained in my mind. In the evening, at family prayer, I was troubled and began to cry. My mother asked what was the matter. Marie hastened to answer for me and I was obliged to give the account of the wonder which had come to me that day. 'These are illusions' answered my mother - 'You must drive these ideas out of your head and especially not go back to Massabieille'. "We went to bed but I could not sleep.
The face of the Lady, so good and gracious, returned incessantly to my memory and it was useless to recall what my mother had said to me; I could not believe that I had been deceived." ” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/5/2007, righe: 39 parole: 632)
Links:
Lourdes Candle light procession Hymns
http://www.fides.org/ita/approfondire/p ... a_0003.pdf
Links:
Lourdes Candle light procession Hyms 2
PDF
Links:
Lourdes Candle light procession Hyms 3
PDF
Links:
Lourdes Candle light procession Hyms 3b
PDF
The 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes
The 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - Month of Mary, Month of May - «QUÉ SOY ERA IMMACULADA COUNCEPCIOU» 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (2)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - 2ND Apparition SUNDAY 14th FEBRUARY
«The second apparition was on the following Sunday. I went because I felt inwardly drawn to return to the place. But my mother had forbidden me to go. After high Mass I and the other girls went to ask my mother's permission. She was unwilling, she feared we might fall into the river. She thought I would not return in time for evening prayer. I promised I would and she let me go. I passed by the parish to fill a little bottle with holy water to throw at the vision at the grotto if I should see her again. When we reached the place we took out our rosaries and knelt down to pray. I had just finished the first decade when I saw the same Lady had appeared. I began to throw holy water in her direction asking her to stay if she came from God but otherwise to go. She smiled and bent over and the more I sprayed water the more she smiled and bowed her head and she made those signs... I was even more afraid and threw more and more water, all of it and the bottle was empty. When I have finished reciting my rosary she disappeared. That was the second time.» (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 3 May 2007)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - 2ND Apparition SUNDAY 14th FEBRUARY
«The second apparition was on the following Sunday. I went because I felt inwardly drawn to return to the place. But my mother had forbidden me to go. After high Mass I and the other girls went to ask my mother's permission. She was unwilling, she feared we might fall into the river. She thought I would not return in time for evening prayer. I promised I would and she let me go. I passed by the parish to fill a little bottle with holy water to throw at the vision at the grotto if I should see her again. When we reached the place we took out our rosaries and knelt down to pray. I had just finished the first decade when I saw the same Lady had appeared. I began to throw holy water in her direction asking her to stay if she came from God but otherwise to go. She smiled and bent over and the more I sprayed water the more she smiled and bowed her head and she made those signs... I was even more afraid and threw more and more water, all of it and the bottle was empty. When I have finished reciting my rosary she disappeared. That was the second time.» (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 3 May 2007)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - Month of Mary, Month of May - «QUÉ SOY ERA IMMACULADA COUNCEPCIOU» 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (3)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - 3rd Apparition THURSDAY 18th FEBRUARY
«The third time was the following Thursday: some important people said I should take with me paper and pen and ask the Lady if she had something to tell me to kindly put it in writing. I did as they said. The Lady smiled and said that there was no need to write down her message. She them asked me to come every day for fifteen days. I said I would. She told me she did not promise to make me happy in this world but in the next:
I DO NOT PROMISE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY IN THIS WORLD BUT IN THE NEXT. WILL YOU COME HERE FOR A FORTNIGHT?».
18 February the octave of Our Lady of Lourdes is also considered the liturgical feast of Saint Bernadette.(J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 4 May 2007)
VATICAN - Month of Mary, Month of May - «QUÉ SOY ERA IMMACULADA COUNCEPCIOU» 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (4)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - 4th Brief and silent Apparition FRIDAY 19th FEBRUARY. After mass about 7 in the morning we saw Bernadette, her mother, her aunt Bernarda Castérot, Mrs Millet and a few other women at the Grotto. Bernadette makes the sign of the cross which she had seen the Lady make and began to recite her rosary. Eyewitnesses see she remains at the third hail Mary for about half an hour testimony la vedono dal terzo Ave “in ecstasy”, and watch waves of joy cross her face, "smiles which illuminate her face. ”. Seeing her so transfigured Bernadette's mother cries: «Oh! My God please do not take her from me». «Oh how beautiful she is!» people were saying. And what did Mary say? It would seem unimportant and yet it is so necessary for the formation of a soul. «She thanked me for coming and said that later she had something to tell me». Bernadette narrates: «As I prayed I heard voices calling me like a thousand angry people. It was horrible. The strongest voice cried save your soul, save your soul! - But the Lady looked towards the river frowning and the voices vanished».
Bernadette had come to the Grotto with a lighted candle. Her gesture was to be followed by millions of pilgrims in the years to come. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 5 May 2007)
AMERICA/BRAZIL - Towards CELAM 5, Aparecida, 13 - 31 May 2007
Aparecida (Fides Service) - When we speak of a General Conference of Latin American Bishops' Conferences we refer to a Meeting of continental dimensions unique in its kind. It is neither a Council nor a Synod or any other of the assemblies mentioned in the Church's Code of Canon Law. It is a special meeting and, of their own initiative and in view of pastoral necessities, the Bishops of Latin America Latin America present the theme for reflection and ask the Pope to grant permission to convoke the Conference. If he agrees the Pope gives permission for the meeting and approves the theme. Essential elements of preparation: norms, participants, venue etc., are proposed to the Pope for ratification. This special type of meeting has no canonical statute of its own and therefore every General Conference must have norms drafted by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and approved by the Roman Pontiff.
The importance of these General Conferences is well expressed in a few lines written some years ago by Germán Doig Klinge, in his book From Río to Santo Domingo where Doig writes: “The General Conferences of Latin American Bishops' Conferences are milestones along the journey of the pilgrim People of God in Latin America. They are important steps in the Church's growth in self-awareness of her mission in the history of the peoples living in that vast territory from the Great River to the Tierra del Fuego. They have undoubtedly left a profound mark on the life of the Church in the second half of this 20th century which is coming to a close. Clearly part of the great process of renewal ushered in by the Second Vatican Council, these Conferences are moments of grace and responsibility and conscious effort to discern God's Plan with eyes and heart attentive to the signs of these times so intense and dramatic, so contradictory and yet at times so overflowing with seeds of hope".
This 5th General Conference of Latin American Bishops' Conferences, the second to be held in Brazil, will bring together in Aparecida from 13 to 31 May 2007 delegates of Bishops who represent 43% of all the Catholic faithful in the world. This major ecclesial event will be held at Brazil's national Marian Shrine, Nuestra Senora de Aparecida”. (Fides 7/5/2007)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - 3rd Apparition THURSDAY 18th FEBRUARY
«The third time was the following Thursday: some important people said I should take with me paper and pen and ask the Lady if she had something to tell me to kindly put it in writing. I did as they said. The Lady smiled and said that there was no need to write down her message. She them asked me to come every day for fifteen days. I said I would. She told me she did not promise to make me happy in this world but in the next:
I DO NOT PROMISE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY IN THIS WORLD BUT IN THE NEXT. WILL YOU COME HERE FOR A FORTNIGHT?».
18 February the octave of Our Lady of Lourdes is also considered the liturgical feast of Saint Bernadette.(J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 4 May 2007)
VATICAN - Month of Mary, Month of May - «QUÉ SOY ERA IMMACULADA COUNCEPCIOU» 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (4)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - 4th Brief and silent Apparition FRIDAY 19th FEBRUARY. After mass about 7 in the morning we saw Bernadette, her mother, her aunt Bernarda Castérot, Mrs Millet and a few other women at the Grotto. Bernadette makes the sign of the cross which she had seen the Lady make and began to recite her rosary. Eyewitnesses see she remains at the third hail Mary for about half an hour testimony la vedono dal terzo Ave “in ecstasy”, and watch waves of joy cross her face, "smiles which illuminate her face. ”. Seeing her so transfigured Bernadette's mother cries: «Oh! My God please do not take her from me». «Oh how beautiful she is!» people were saying. And what did Mary say? It would seem unimportant and yet it is so necessary for the formation of a soul. «She thanked me for coming and said that later she had something to tell me». Bernadette narrates: «As I prayed I heard voices calling me like a thousand angry people. It was horrible. The strongest voice cried save your soul, save your soul! - But the Lady looked towards the river frowning and the voices vanished».
Bernadette had come to the Grotto with a lighted candle. Her gesture was to be followed by millions of pilgrims in the years to come. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 5 May 2007)
AMERICA/BRAZIL - Towards CELAM 5, Aparecida, 13 - 31 May 2007
Aparecida (Fides Service) - When we speak of a General Conference of Latin American Bishops' Conferences we refer to a Meeting of continental dimensions unique in its kind. It is neither a Council nor a Synod or any other of the assemblies mentioned in the Church's Code of Canon Law. It is a special meeting and, of their own initiative and in view of pastoral necessities, the Bishops of Latin America Latin America present the theme for reflection and ask the Pope to grant permission to convoke the Conference. If he agrees the Pope gives permission for the meeting and approves the theme. Essential elements of preparation: norms, participants, venue etc., are proposed to the Pope for ratification. This special type of meeting has no canonical statute of its own and therefore every General Conference must have norms drafted by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and approved by the Roman Pontiff.
The importance of these General Conferences is well expressed in a few lines written some years ago by Germán Doig Klinge, in his book From Río to Santo Domingo where Doig writes: “The General Conferences of Latin American Bishops' Conferences are milestones along the journey of the pilgrim People of God in Latin America. They are important steps in the Church's growth in self-awareness of her mission in the history of the peoples living in that vast territory from the Great River to the Tierra del Fuego. They have undoubtedly left a profound mark on the life of the Church in the second half of this 20th century which is coming to a close. Clearly part of the great process of renewal ushered in by the Second Vatican Council, these Conferences are moments of grace and responsibility and conscious effort to discern God's Plan with eyes and heart attentive to the signs of these times so intense and dramatic, so contradictory and yet at times so overflowing with seeds of hope".
This 5th General Conference of Latin American Bishops' Conferences, the second to be held in Brazil, will bring together in Aparecida from 13 to 31 May 2007 delegates of Bishops who represent 43% of all the Catholic faithful in the world. This major ecclesial event will be held at Brazil's national Marian Shrine, Nuestra Senora de Aparecida”. (Fides 7/5/2007)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (6)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Sunday 21 February 1858: 6th Apparition. “The Lady appears early in the morning to Bernadette who is accompanied by about a hundred people. The local doctor tells the story: «Bernadette left his arm and went forward to the back of the Grotto; I noted a rapid change in her face, until then the expression of perfect happiness and suddenly saddened; tears poured from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. I was surprised to see the change in that situation. When she had finished her prayers and the mysterious being had disappeared I asked what had happened; she replied - for a moment the Lady lifted her eyes from me to look in the distance above my head; then, when she looked again at me because I had asked why she was so sad, she said,- pray for the poor, for the world in such anguish. I was then reassured by the expression of goodness and serenity on her face…and she disappeared- she was later questioned by police officer JACOMET who had been present at the apparition and wished to know what Bernadette saw.” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/5/2007, righe 13, parole 197)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Sunday 21 February 1858: 6th Apparition. “The Lady appears early in the morning to Bernadette who is accompanied by about a hundred people. The local doctor tells the story: «Bernadette left his arm and went forward to the back of the Grotto; I noted a rapid change in her face, until then the expression of perfect happiness and suddenly saddened; tears poured from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. I was surprised to see the change in that situation. When she had finished her prayers and the mysterious being had disappeared I asked what had happened; she replied - for a moment the Lady lifted her eyes from me to look in the distance above my head; then, when she looked again at me because I had asked why she was so sad, she said,- pray for the poor, for the world in such anguish. I was then reassured by the expression of goodness and serenity on her face…and she disappeared- she was later questioned by police officer JACOMET who had been present at the apparition and wished to know what Bernadette saw.” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/5/2007, righe 13, parole 197)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes in 1858 (7)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Tuesday 23 February 1858: secret, 7th Apparition. “Despite disappointment that there had been no apparition on the 22 February, between 150 and 200 people went to the Grotto at six o-clock on 23 February. Many knelt in prayer awaiting the arrival of Bernadette. Some present doubt the authenticity of the apparitions. Some explore the Grotto, inside and out but find nothing suspicious. Among them Dr Dozous and Dr Estrade, well known witnesses to the events in Lourdes. Bernadette arrives accompanied by her mother and aunts Bernardine and Basile. She goes into ecstasy with the first Hail Mary and remains in the state for an hour. To protect Bernadette, who will be exposed to contradiction from some, and far more dangerous for her, adoration by others, the Lady speaks intimately with her confiding to her three secrets. This intimacy binds her to the Blessed Virgin, separating her from everyone else and teaches her to be faithful to her mission. Three years later Bernadette was able to say about that day: «The Lady made me promise not to tell anyone and so far I have been faithful to my promise». And faithful to the end, she carried the secrets with her into eternity. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/5/2007, righe 13, parole 211)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Tuesday 23 February 1858: secret, 7th Apparition. “Despite disappointment that there had been no apparition on the 22 February, between 150 and 200 people went to the Grotto at six o-clock on 23 February. Many knelt in prayer awaiting the arrival of Bernadette. Some present doubt the authenticity of the apparitions. Some explore the Grotto, inside and out but find nothing suspicious. Among them Dr Dozous and Dr Estrade, well known witnesses to the events in Lourdes. Bernadette arrives accompanied by her mother and aunts Bernardine and Basile. She goes into ecstasy with the first Hail Mary and remains in the state for an hour. To protect Bernadette, who will be exposed to contradiction from some, and far more dangerous for her, adoration by others, the Lady speaks intimately with her confiding to her three secrets. This intimacy binds her to the Blessed Virgin, separating her from everyone else and teaches her to be faithful to her mission. Three years later Bernadette was able to say about that day: «The Lady made me promise not to tell anyone and so far I have been faithful to my promise». And faithful to the end, she carried the secrets with her into eternity. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/5/2007, righe 13, parole 211)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (8)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Wednesday 24 February 1858: penance, 8ª apparition. “Bernadette, we are told by M. Estrade, just after falling into ecstasy went to put her ear to the rock and then like someone receiving sad news let her arms fall, and tears ran down her cheeks. In an attitude of humility she began to walk on her knees, kissing the ground at every stop. Eyewitnesses said the Lady appeared first on the rosebush and then as usual she disappeared and that Bernadette went to look for her inside the Grotto and then found her. She then turned to the crowd of about 400-500 and in tears and with a broken voice repeated the message of Immaculate Mary: «Penance, penance, penance!».” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2007, righe 11, parole 161)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Wednesday 24 February 1858: penance, 8ª apparition. “Bernadette, we are told by M. Estrade, just after falling into ecstasy went to put her ear to the rock and then like someone receiving sad news let her arms fall, and tears ran down her cheeks. In an attitude of humility she began to walk on her knees, kissing the ground at every stop. Eyewitnesses said the Lady appeared first on the rosebush and then as usual she disappeared and that Bernadette went to look for her inside the Grotto and then found her. She then turned to the crowd of about 400-500 and in tears and with a broken voice repeated the message of Immaculate Mary: «Penance, penance, penance!».” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2007, righe 11, parole 161)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (9)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Thursday 25 febbraio 1858: water from the source, “for sinners”, 9ª apparition. “Immaculate Mary on that day wanted Bernadette to humble herself. For those who cared to watch and listen, true meaning was discovered in Bernadette's crawling in the mud, and the grass that she found "difficult and bitter" to eat. At the ninth apparition, a passion play of sorts was performed by Bernadette. She observed the sadness of Mary, was called to offer sacrifices and penance for sinners, and surrendered herself in a symbolic gesture representing the poverty of sinners. During the course of her life, Bernadette meditated and deepened her understanding of this mystery. Her compassion and prayer for "poor sinners" was to grow ever more profound. Bernadette rose from crawling in the mud at the Grotto. The crowd was surprised and shocked when she turned towards them. Her face was unrecognisable, smeared with mud, and chewing a tuft of grass pulled up from the ground. The surprise of the onlookers soon turned to resentment, sarcasm and anger. Some were horrified. Headlines in the next day's newspapers angrily proclaimed that "the gullible have been well and truly had ... Bernadette's real place should be in the asylum». When asked why she ate grass Bernadette replied: «The Lady moved me to do so». It would appear that during this vision of 45 minutes Bernadette did not change expression”. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/5/2007, righe 19, parole 291)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Thursday 25 febbraio 1858: water from the source, “for sinners”, 9ª apparition. “Immaculate Mary on that day wanted Bernadette to humble herself. For those who cared to watch and listen, true meaning was discovered in Bernadette's crawling in the mud, and the grass that she found "difficult and bitter" to eat. At the ninth apparition, a passion play of sorts was performed by Bernadette. She observed the sadness of Mary, was called to offer sacrifices and penance for sinners, and surrendered herself in a symbolic gesture representing the poverty of sinners. During the course of her life, Bernadette meditated and deepened her understanding of this mystery. Her compassion and prayer for "poor sinners" was to grow ever more profound. Bernadette rose from crawling in the mud at the Grotto. The crowd was surprised and shocked when she turned towards them. Her face was unrecognisable, smeared with mud, and chewing a tuft of grass pulled up from the ground. The surprise of the onlookers soon turned to resentment, sarcasm and anger. Some were horrified. Headlines in the next day's newspapers angrily proclaimed that "the gullible have been well and truly had ... Bernadette's real place should be in the asylum». When asked why she ate grass Bernadette replied: «The Lady moved me to do so». It would appear that during this vision of 45 minutes Bernadette did not change expression”. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/5/2007, righe 19, parole 291)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (10)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Saturday 27 February 1858: silence, 10ª apparition. “ At half past six in the morning, a crowd of at least 800-900 people await the arrival of Bernadette at the Grotto. For fifteen minutes Bernadette moves on her knees kissing the ground as she goes. «The Lady said to me - go and kiss the ground to do penance for sinners». Our Lady is said to have added: «if it is not too repugnant or arduous for you». Twice Bernadette signals the crowd to do the same, the second time they obey her. From then on people will come from all over the world to kiss the holy ground of Massabielle. The same day the Lady gave Bernadette this message: «Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here».” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/5/2007, righe 9, parole 136)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Saturday 27 February 1858: silence, 10ª apparition. “ At half past six in the morning, a crowd of at least 800-900 people await the arrival of Bernadette at the Grotto. For fifteen minutes Bernadette moves on her knees kissing the ground as she goes. «The Lady said to me - go and kiss the ground to do penance for sinners». Our Lady is said to have added: «if it is not too repugnant or arduous for you». Twice Bernadette signals the crowd to do the same, the second time they obey her. From then on people will come from all over the world to kiss the holy ground of Massabielle. The same day the Lady gave Bernadette this message: «Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here».” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/5/2007, righe 9, parole 136)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The month of Mary Il - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at a Lourdes in 1858 (11)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Sunday 28 February 1858: Despite fine persistent rain and gelid cold, one or two thousands people gathered early in the morning at the Grotto. Bernadette arrived at 7 o'clock. As she kneels praying her rosary occasionally kissing the ground a powerful wind is felt by those present. All kneel ad begin to pray and those physically able to do so kiss the ground at the same time as Bernadette. The Lady tells Bernadette things revealed to no one which were to prepare her and strengthen her for tribulations to come. That same day after solemn Mass, Bernadette was to be questioned by Judge Rives who threatens her even with prison. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 14/5/ 2007)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Sunday 28 February 1858: Despite fine persistent rain and gelid cold, one or two thousands people gathered early in the morning at the Grotto. Bernadette arrived at 7 o'clock. As she kneels praying her rosary occasionally kissing the ground a powerful wind is felt by those present. All kneel ad begin to pray and those physically able to do so kiss the ground at the same time as Bernadette. The Lady tells Bernadette things revealed to no one which were to prepare her and strengthen her for tribulations to come. That same day after solemn Mass, Bernadette was to be questioned by Judge Rives who threatens her even with prison. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 14/5/ 2007)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (12)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Monday 1st March 1858: first miracle, 12th apparition. “
Almost fifteen hundred people gathered. An astounding number of conversions were taking place, and the town parish was not certain what to make of it all. On this day, the first recognised miracle occurred. Catherine Latapie, nine months pregnant, walked 9 kilometers from her home in the neighbouring village of Loubajac to bathe here paralysed arm in the “healing” spring. Healed on the site, she returned home to immediately give birth to a son. Recognised in 1862 as the first approved miracle of Lourdes, her healing testified of the truth of the apparitions. A visiting priest, Fr. Desirat, was standing next to Bernadette on this day: What struck me was the joy, the sadness reflected in Bernadette's face ... Respect, silence, recollection reigned everywhere. Oh it was good to be there It was like being at the gates of paradise." (JM Agenzia Fides 15/5/ 2007; righe 12, parole 192
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Monday 1st March 1858: first miracle, 12th apparition. “
Almost fifteen hundred people gathered. An astounding number of conversions were taking place, and the town parish was not certain what to make of it all. On this day, the first recognised miracle occurred. Catherine Latapie, nine months pregnant, walked 9 kilometers from her home in the neighbouring village of Loubajac to bathe here paralysed arm in the “healing” spring. Healed on the site, she returned home to immediately give birth to a son. Recognised in 1862 as the first approved miracle of Lourdes, her healing testified of the truth of the apparitions. A visiting priest, Fr. Desirat, was standing next to Bernadette on this day: What struck me was the joy, the sadness reflected in Bernadette's face ... Respect, silence, recollection reigned everywhere. Oh it was good to be there It was like being at the gates of paradise." (JM Agenzia Fides 15/5/ 2007; righe 12, parole 192
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (13)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Tuesday 2nd March 1858: 13th Apparition. Go and tell the priest to build a chapel here and to have people come in procession." At the end of her ecstasy on this fifteenth apparition, Bernadette heard these words. The task would be a daunting one. Monsieur le Curé (Fr. Peyramale) was not an easy-going personality. He was also quite impatient with the grotto story. Bernadette was determined to convey the message, and accompanied by her two aunts for support, she found herself on the front steps of the presbytery. Turned away at first and called a liar by the furious priest, she and her aunts left quickly, but not before the priest forbade her from returning to the cave. Fr Peyramale was left confused after Bernadette's visit. The parish priests no longer could agree.
Bernadette's confessor, the prudent Fr. Pomian, was content to wait for further developments. Peyramale felt it was time to act. He went to Tarbes to pay a visit to the bishop, Mgr. Laurence. The bishop concluded that Peyramale should remain safely away from the grotto, although Peyramale had grown eager to inspect the location firsthand.”. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/5/2007; righe 11, parole 169)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Tuesday 2nd March 1858: 13th Apparition. Go and tell the priest to build a chapel here and to have people come in procession." At the end of her ecstasy on this fifteenth apparition, Bernadette heard these words. The task would be a daunting one. Monsieur le Curé (Fr. Peyramale) was not an easy-going personality. He was also quite impatient with the grotto story. Bernadette was determined to convey the message, and accompanied by her two aunts for support, she found herself on the front steps of the presbytery. Turned away at first and called a liar by the furious priest, she and her aunts left quickly, but not before the priest forbade her from returning to the cave. Fr Peyramale was left confused after Bernadette's visit. The parish priests no longer could agree.
Bernadette's confessor, the prudent Fr. Pomian, was content to wait for further developments. Peyramale felt it was time to act. He went to Tarbes to pay a visit to the bishop, Mgr. Laurence. The bishop concluded that Peyramale should remain safely away from the grotto, although Peyramale had grown eager to inspect the location firsthand.”. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/5/2007; righe 11, parole 169)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes in 1858 (14)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Wednesday 3 March: the smile 14th apparition. “According to the local police officer, that morning 4000 people waited for Bernadette who arrived about 6.45am. After praying on her knees for a long time, she stood up, her eyes filled with tears and cried: «The Lady did not appear to me». However later that day after school she felt the Lady was calling. She returned to the Grotto and she saw the Lady who explained: «You did not see me this morning because there were a few people here who had come simply to judge your behaviour in my presence; these unworthy people spent the whole night here dishonouring the Grotto». Bernadette disappointment was a sort of expiation. What a witness! Our Lady sees everything through God' s light. Bernadette went to the parish priest and said: «The Lady smiled when I said you asked for a miracle. When I asked her to make the rosebush at the grotto flower she smiled again; but she still wishes for her chapel to be built». Rev. Peyramale replied: «"If the lady wants her chapel, let her tell you her name, and ask her to make the rosebush at the grotto flower"».” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/5/2007; righe 11, parole 169)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Wednesday 3 March: the smile 14th apparition. “According to the local police officer, that morning 4000 people waited for Bernadette who arrived about 6.45am. After praying on her knees for a long time, she stood up, her eyes filled with tears and cried: «The Lady did not appear to me». However later that day after school she felt the Lady was calling. She returned to the Grotto and she saw the Lady who explained: «You did not see me this morning because there were a few people here who had come simply to judge your behaviour in my presence; these unworthy people spent the whole night here dishonouring the Grotto». Bernadette disappointment was a sort of expiation. What a witness! Our Lady sees everything through God' s light. Bernadette went to the parish priest and said: «The Lady smiled when I said you asked for a miracle. When I asked her to make the rosebush at the grotto flower she smiled again; but she still wishes for her chapel to be built». Rev. Peyramale replied: «"If the lady wants her chapel, let her tell you her name, and ask her to make the rosebush at the grotto flower"».” (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/5/2007; righe 11, parole 169)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (15)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Thursday 4 March 1858: 15th apparition. “Thursday 4 March is the most awaited day the last day of the two weeks. The crowd about 8,000 expects a miracle. Bernadette goes to the Grotto after Mass at 7am. She is in ecstasy for an hour from the third Hail Mary of the second decade. The Lady appears and Bernadette smiles and cries alternately. She goes nearer and speaks with the Lady who tells her about the happy secrets of heaven and the sad secrets of the sinful world. But the people had to be disappointed in order to mature. The Lady has no name, the rosebush does not flower in front of the crowds, the Lady does not let herself be seen by the pilgrims. T he following day hundreds of thousands made their way to the Grotto and thus pilgrimage to Lourdes began. Everyone wants to know the name of the Lady who appeared in the place where many miracles were seen, the blind began to see, crippled to walk. The parish priest Peyramale is immovable. For twenty days Bernadette did not go to the Grotto she no longer felt that irresistible inner calling”. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/5/2007; righe 15, parole 232)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Thursday 4 March 1858: 15th apparition. “Thursday 4 March is the most awaited day the last day of the two weeks. The crowd about 8,000 expects a miracle. Bernadette goes to the Grotto after Mass at 7am. She is in ecstasy for an hour from the third Hail Mary of the second decade. The Lady appears and Bernadette smiles and cries alternately. She goes nearer and speaks with the Lady who tells her about the happy secrets of heaven and the sad secrets of the sinful world. But the people had to be disappointed in order to mature. The Lady has no name, the rosebush does not flower in front of the crowds, the Lady does not let herself be seen by the pilgrims. T he following day hundreds of thousands made their way to the Grotto and thus pilgrimage to Lourdes began. Everyone wants to know the name of the Lady who appeared in the place where many miracles were seen, the blind began to see, crippled to walk. The parish priest Peyramale is immovable. For twenty days Bernadette did not go to the Grotto she no longer felt that irresistible inner calling”. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/5/2007; righe 15, parole 232)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858 (16)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Thursday 25 March 1858, revelation of the “Name”: 16ª Apparition. “ What was next? After three weeks, life had regained some normalcy. The faithful still gathered at the grotto, but Bernadette was not to be seen. She was busy studying her catechism and preparing for her first Holy Communion. In the early morning hours on March 25th, Bernadette awoke with the familiar inner call to return to the grotto. This was a call that she could not resist. The day was an important one in the church-the feast of the Annunciation, a day when young Mary of Nazareth also received a call in her own poor dwelling.
An angel visited to announce that she would become the mother of the Saviour. Bernadette joyfully rejoined the Lady in the Grotto. It had been three weeks since she had not known if she would ever see her again. This time she was determined to asked her name so she could tell the priest Would you be so kind as to tell me who you are?" The answer finally came: "I am the Immaculate Conception." Bernadette planted a candle between two rocks as a sign of her prayer and the revelation and then ran home.
Running all the way, she repeated these strange words over and over so that she would not forget them. Of course the words were spoken in her native Bigourdan dialect and were completely unfamiliar, "que soy era Immaculada Councepciou." Bernadette did not understand but the parish priest did. In fact four years earlier in 1854, Pope Pius IX made the Immaculate Conception a dogma of Catholic faith .
Note: the archangel Gabriel greeted Mary, Hail Full of Grace which was a revelation with regard to Mary. Blessed Pius IX said in the Ineffabilis Deus Encyclical 8th December 1854: “ When the Fathers and writers of the Church meditated on the fact that the most Blessed Virgin was, in the name and by order of God himself, proclaimed full of grace[22] by the Angel Gabriel when he announced her most sublime dignity of Mother of God, they thought that this singular and solemn salutation, never heard before, showed that the Mother of God is the seat of all divine graces and is adorned with all gifts of the Holy Spirit. To them Mary is an almost infinite treasury, an inexhaustible abyss of these gifts, to such an extent that she was never subject to the curse and was, together with her Son, the only partaker of perpetual benediction. Hence she was worthy to hear Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, exclaim: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."» (Ineffabilis Deus). And the feast of the Annunciation was the date on which Our Lady chose to reveal to the Bernadette that she is the «Immaculate Conception». (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/5/2007; righe 36, parole 545)
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Thursday 25 March 1858, revelation of the “Name”: 16ª Apparition. “ What was next? After three weeks, life had regained some normalcy. The faithful still gathered at the grotto, but Bernadette was not to be seen. She was busy studying her catechism and preparing for her first Holy Communion. In the early morning hours on March 25th, Bernadette awoke with the familiar inner call to return to the grotto. This was a call that she could not resist. The day was an important one in the church-the feast of the Annunciation, a day when young Mary of Nazareth also received a call in her own poor dwelling.
An angel visited to announce that she would become the mother of the Saviour. Bernadette joyfully rejoined the Lady in the Grotto. It had been three weeks since she had not known if she would ever see her again. This time she was determined to asked her name so she could tell the priest Would you be so kind as to tell me who you are?" The answer finally came: "I am the Immaculate Conception." Bernadette planted a candle between two rocks as a sign of her prayer and the revelation and then ran home.
Running all the way, she repeated these strange words over and over so that she would not forget them. Of course the words were spoken in her native Bigourdan dialect and were completely unfamiliar, "que soy era Immaculada Councepciou." Bernadette did not understand but the parish priest did. In fact four years earlier in 1854, Pope Pius IX made the Immaculate Conception a dogma of Catholic faith .
Note: the archangel Gabriel greeted Mary, Hail Full of Grace which was a revelation with regard to Mary. Blessed Pius IX said in the Ineffabilis Deus Encyclical 8th December 1854: “ When the Fathers and writers of the Church meditated on the fact that the most Blessed Virgin was, in the name and by order of God himself, proclaimed full of grace[22] by the Angel Gabriel when he announced her most sublime dignity of Mother of God, they thought that this singular and solemn salutation, never heard before, showed that the Mother of God is the seat of all divine graces and is adorned with all gifts of the Holy Spirit. To them Mary is an almost infinite treasury, an inexhaustible abyss of these gifts, to such an extent that she was never subject to the curse and was, together with her Son, the only partaker of perpetual benediction. Hence she was worthy to hear Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, exclaim: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."» (Ineffabilis Deus). And the feast of the Annunciation was the date on which Our Lady chose to reveal to the Bernadette that she is the «Immaculate Conception». (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/5/2007; righe 36, parole 545)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
VATICAN - The Month of Mary - «Qué Soy Era Immaculada Councepciou»: the 18 Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes in 1858 (17)
Vatican City ( Fides Service) - Wednesday 7 April 1858, miracle of the candle: 17th apparition. “Our Lady called Bernadette in the evening of April 6. The news that Bernadette was going to the Grotto spread and about 1,200 people were waiting for her when she arrived a 6 in the morning. They see Bernadette in ecstasy for three quarters of an hour. That day, Dr Dozous witnessed the “miracle of the candle” for fifteen minutes. The flame of the candle did not burn the skin of Bernadette who participated so to say during the ecstasy with the impassability of her glorious body”. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/5/2007; righe 7, parole 106)
Vatican City ( Fides Service) - Wednesday 7 April 1858, miracle of the candle: 17th apparition. “Our Lady called Bernadette in the evening of April 6. The news that Bernadette was going to the Grotto spread and about 1,200 people were waiting for her when she arrived a 6 in the morning. They see Bernadette in ecstasy for three quarters of an hour. That day, Dr Dozous witnessed the “miracle of the candle” for fifteen minutes. The flame of the candle did not burn the skin of Bernadette who participated so to say during the ecstasy with the impassability of her glorious body”. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/5/2007; righe 7, parole 106)
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales