Lourdes Expression of Faith

Virgen de Lourdes

~Our Lady of Lourdes~

During my two visits to The Lourdes Shrine, France (1988-1989), a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees,  there is a recognized and famous site of the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. The events occurred in 1858 to a humble firstborn daughter girl of a miller; Bernadette Soubirous (7 January 1844 – 16 April 1879). 
She is venerated as a Christian Saint in the Catholic Church. The feast day is on February 11^th.  

In the visit to this Shrine, we spent most of the time in the Basilica and Grotto where masses and confessions in different languages are scheduled.  After lunch, we stopped over the humble house of Bernadette located at Rue 2. I admired the simplicity of this small place where the whole family lives in a modest way. The house included a mill, kitchen, Bernadette’s bedroom, various objects, and photographs of the time.

~Bernadette’s parents house, 1988~

At night, we prayed the Rosary in different languages as a universal way to unify the Catholic faith. During the continuous prayers to Jesus and Mary, there was a procession with candles to gather around the Grotto. Other members of my group went to the Healing Pools where families carried the illness’s relatives to be cured. 

Marvelous expression of faith and hope!

~Grotto, 1988-1989~

Extract from "Voyage Recollection" by Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
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Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards