Our Lady of Lourdes- “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Marian title that comes from a series of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France, in 1858 to a young teen named Bernadette Soubirous. Mary appeared to her many times and later she was even declared a Saint by the Catholic Church. The Blessed Mother asked for an increase in prayer, penance by offering up our lives and tasks, and desired for a spiritual awakening by even encouraging people to pray the Rosary. During one apparition, Mary revealed her identity by saying, “I am the Immaculate Conception,” confirming the Church’s teaching on her sinlessness which was a powerful moment as this was the official title given to The Blessed Mother four years before.
Mary led Bernadette to uncover a spring of water at the grotto, which has become associated with physical and spiritual healing. Lourdes is now one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites to this day as well. The feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes is February 11, also celebrated as the World Day of the Sick. This powerful marian apparition is not just for the sick but for all Cathoilcs as our Lady is inviting us to experience her love and direction in our life.
I have been blessed to not only visit Lourdes in my younger years, but last year I went to the resting place of St. Bernadette Soubirous is buried at the timeless and beautiful Convent of Saint Gildard in Nevers, France while on pilgrimage. Her body rests in a glass reliquary at the convent chapel, where she lived as a member of the Sisters of Charity. When her body was exhumed they found it to be incorrupt and now her body is about 350–360 miles from where Our Lady first appeared to her. When I visited both locations I prayed for my vocation- or my path to holiness and later that I could be a good wife and mother.
Catholic Pro-Tips for Parents:
1. God Works Through the Humble and Ordinary
Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous, a poor, uneducated child.
Lesson for parents: God does not need perfect families—He works through faithful ones. Small, consistent acts of love and prayer shape children deeply. It is often noted that this family had many heavy crosses such as illness, unemployment, and homelessness resulting in them living in the former jail, a cold and damp one room cell. These hardships sometimes made life hard, but not unkind as the saint spoke of her parents with respect, affection, and gratitude even when at first they did not believe our Lady was appearing to her but later did.
2. Teach Children to Pray
Teach your children to pray, especially the Rosary as Our Lady asked. Simple prayers like night prayers, grace before meals or just a hail mary before you drop them off at school is a great way to form children’s hearts and teach them to pray.
(Testimony) Our family has found the Rosary a wonderful source of grace for our family. We try to not just pray it on Sunday but during the week as well. Moms and Dads, end your day with your children with prayer and teach them as well. If no one knows how to pray, be confident that you can teach them, just one prayer at a time. Open Wide Your Heart to the Lord!
3. Healing Takes Time and Trust
The spring at Lourdes began as mud before it became a place of healing.
Lesson: Growth in children (and families) is often slow and messy. Trust God’s timing, especially during seasons of struggle.
(Testimony) No matter what our struggles are, my mother used to say, “This too shall pass.” Let us place our trust in Jesus and learn to keep His peace, and trust in our heart. Let us bring the areas of our heart that need healing to the Lord.
4. Lead Children to the Sacraments
Mary always points to her Son and to conversion.
Lesson: Parents are called to lead children toward Confession and the Eucharist, where true healing happens. St. Bernette struggled to get her
5. Teach Children to Carry Suffering with Hope
Lourdes is filled with suffering—but also peace. As we walk through the sea of pilgrims you can not but notice those seeking one last miracle. May we too, seek to be healed and suffer with Christ so that we can be given new graces verse follow the path of the world which leads to destruction and pain.
Lesson: Do not hide suffering from children; teach them to offer it to Jesus. This forms resilience, compassion, and faith.
St. Bernette pray for us! At WelcomeHisHeart.com we have a home dedication to the Immaculate HEart of Mary if you want to welcome Mary into your home in a new way!
Emily Jaminet
