11th February: Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick
“On 11th February 2023, let us turn our thoughts to the Shrine of Lourdes, a prophetic lesson entrusted to the Church for our modern times.” (Pope Francis)
The Sanctuary invites you to celebrate the feast of Our Lady Lourdes at the Grotto of Massabielle. Thousands of pilgrims are expected to celebrate together and to pray to Our Lady of Lourdes. Come and experience this beautiful celebration in the place where the sick always come first.
It was on 11th February 1858 that a young 14-year-old girl left a damp, dark and dirty cachot to fetch soke fallen branches, and thus bring a little light and warmth to the sad life of the cachot. She decided to go to the grotto of Massabielle, because it was a place owned by the local community, and no one would accuse her of being a thief. Such a disreputable place… A place whose position prevented even the sun from entering.
It was there that the light of heaven came to illuminate the life of poor Bernadette. This is where today huge crowds come together to find the light of heaven. Crowds that come to seek the living water, the water of baptism… Come and see!
Recalling the first apparition:
“Accompanied by her sister and a friend, Bernadette went to Massabielle, along the Gave, to collect bones and fallen branches. Taking off her stockings to cross the stream and go into the Grotto, she heard a noise that sounded like a gust of wind. She looked up at the Grotto: “I saw a lady dressed in white: she was wearing a white dress, also a white veil, a blue sash and a yellow rose on each foot.” Bernadette made the sign of the Cross and recited the rosary with the Lady. When the prayer was over, the Lady suddenly disappeared.”
Programme for 11th February in Lourdes
The evening before
9:00 p.m. Marian procession, presided over by Mgr. Micas
11th February
10:00 a.m. International Mass, presided over by Mgr. Jean-Marc Micas, followed by the Angelus at the Grotto and evocation of the apparition of the day.
2:00 p.m. Opportunity to make the water gesture.
3:00 p.m. Rosary at the Grotto
4:30 p.m. Eucharistic praise and blessing of the sick, presided over by Mgr. Micas.
9:00 p.m. Torchlight Procession
Let us entrust our intentions to Our Lady of Lourdes
Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
Blessed Virgin Mary, at your school, Bernadette entered into a relationship with the Holy Trinity through the sign of the Cross.
By teaching her prayer and penance for sinners, you conveyed to her the joy of salvation.
You revealed to her the beauty of your pure heart when you said, “I am the Immaculate Conception”.
With Bernadette, we turn to you trusting completely in your maternal intercession.
Accept the intentions of our hearts in this novena of prayer (especially for…)
Our Lady of Lourdes,
We pray to you especially for our own conversion and that of all sinners.
Also, watch over all those who suffer in body or soul.
In the hope that Life will triumph over death, from this moment and for ever more, we want to sing with you the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Every day: 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys,
1 Glory be to the Father.
Confession and communion are particularly recommended during the novena.
XXXI WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
“Take care of him”.
“Illness is part of our human condition. Yet, if illness is experienced in isolation and abandonment, unaccompanied by care and compassion, it can become inhumane”, says Pope Francis at the very beginning of his message for the World Day of the Sick on this 11th February 2023.
Pope Francis challenges us to take care of the most vulnerable, the sick in particular. Lourdes is known throughout the world because everything is done to put the sick and those who serve them first.
Everyone can put themselves at the service of others, each according to their talents and abilities:
Lourdes a community of welcome
“Take care of him” (Lk. 10:35): such is the Samaritan’s instruction to the innkeeper. Jesus also repeats it to each one of us and, at the end, thus urges us: “Go, and do likewise”.
With these words, Pope Francis sets us on our way, especially here in Lourdes, so that we are this inn. and the innkeeper who welcomes the sick.
