Fifth Sunday of the Year

Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes
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On Tues Feb. 11, the Church celebrates the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, recalling a series of 18 appearances that the Blessed Virgin Mary made to a 14-year-old French peasant girl, Saint Bernadette Soubirous. The Marian apparitions began Feb. 11, 1858, ended July 16 that year and received the local bishop's approval after a four-year inquiry.
 
Thousands of people say their medical conditions have been cured through pilgrimage, prayer and the water flowing from a spring to which Bernadette was directed by the Blessed Virgin. Experts have verified 71 cases of miraculous healing at Lourdes since 1862, the most recent being John Traynor, a soldier in the Royal Navy, was hit by machine-gun fire in 1915 in present-day Turkey. He was cured at Lourdes during a pilgrimage for his diocese in 1923. The miracle was officially recognised by Bishop McMahon in Liverpool on the 8th of December 2024.
 
During an apparition of Our Lady to St Bernadette on the Feast of the Annunciation, St Bernadette asked to know her identity. Finally, the woman folded her hands, looked up and said: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
 
This prayer is from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington
Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of Mercy, Health of the sick, refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure for their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen.