Of the eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette, fourteen took place during Lent.
On 14th February 1858, Bernadette felt powerfully drawn to the grotto at Massabielle. That day, Bernadette went to church and took a little holy water with her.
The 14th February this year is Ash Wednesday, the day we enter the period of Lent. Every Christian in the world is called to enter a church to receive a call to conversion. Like Bernadette, we can allow Mary to support us as she introduces us to the mystery of faith.
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is marked by the wearing of ashes: the priest places a little ash on the forehead of each member of the faithful, as a sign of human frailty, but also of hope in God’s mercy.
Administration of ashes at each Sanctuary Mass.
The Sanctuary will be celebrating Saint Bernadette on 17th February!
In 1858, 18th February was a Thursday, a school-free day at the time: Bernadette was free to go to the Grotto. But, more importantly, that Thursday was also the day after Ash Wednesday; the Virgin’s promise came at the very beginning of Lent.
February 18th was the day of the third Apparition. It was on this day that the “Lady” spoke to Bernadette for the first time. She did not tell the girl her name. She refused to write it down, despite the pen and inkwell that Bernadette handed her. But she made her a promise: that she would be happy, if not in this world, at least in the other. This alone explains the choice of 18th February to celebrate Bernadette as a citizen of heaven (in France and French-speaking countries).
As an exception, in Lourdes this year, the Sanctuary will be celebrating Saint Bernadette on 17th February, as 18th February is the first Sunday of Lent.
Programme for celebrating Saint Bernadette at Lourdes
Friday 16th February
8.30pm: Torchlight procession from the Sacré Coeur church to the Notre-Dame de Lourdes sanctuary, with the relics of Saint Bernadette.
Saturday 17th February
8.00 am Mass in the Immaculate Conception Basilica
10.00 am Mass at the Grotto
11.15 am Mass presided over by Mgr Micas at the Basilica of the Rosary
12 noon Angelus at the Grotto and recount of the Apparition
2.00 pm Opportunity to make the water gesture
3.00 pm Rosary at the Grotto and recount of the Apparition
4.00 pm Recount of the Apparition and talk by a “chapelain”
4.30 pm Mass in the Rosary Basilica
5.15 pm Adoration and blessing of pilgrims in the Rosary Basilica
8.30 pm Rosary by torchlight or procession
Sunday 18th February
8.00 am Mass in the Immaculate Conception Basilica
10.00 am Mass at the Grotto
11.15 am Mass in the Rosary Basilica
3.00 pm Rosary at the Grotto
4.15 pm Talk on the Message of Lourdes
4.30 pm Mass in the Rosary Basilica
5.15 p.m. Adoration and blessing of pilgrims in the Rosary Basilica
8. 30 Rosary by torchlight or procession
Prayer to Saint Bernadette
O Saint Bernadette,
As a simple and pure child, in Lourdes,
Eighteen times, you contemplated the beauty and
Received the trust of the Immaculate Conception and
Then wanted to hide away
In the Cloister of Nevers
to be consumed there as a host for sinners.
Obtain for us this spirit of purity,
simplicity and mortification
That will lead us, too, to the vision of God
And of Mary in Heaven.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
