THE MESSAGE OF LOURDES

The Grotto of Lourdes where the Mother of God appeared to Bernadette 18 times from 11 February 1858 to 16 July 1858.

The apparitions in Lourdes were not intended for Bernadette alone as she was only a messenger of God. Although the Immaculate Conception spoke very little during the apparitions, her message does have great significance in our lives.  It is therefore necessary for us to understand the meaning of this message and in order to so, we have to follow in Bernadette's footsteps. The message from Our Lady to Bernadette was a simple one - poverty, prayer, and penance were the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Mother of God had chosen the poor little shepherdess as her faithful messenger to remind us of the importance of living a simple life.

Bernadette grew up in extreme poverty and the apparitions could have made her one of the wealthiest women in France if only she had the intention to make a fortune out of her encounters with the Mother of God. As the visionary of Lourdes, if she were to ask for donations in the name of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, the pilgrims would gladly donate when they witnessed so many miracles that were attributed to her. With the donations, she could easily build a megachurch and asked for even more donations until she became filthy rich. However, instead of asking for donations to build a megachurch and profit from the pilgrim boom, she left Lourdes forever "to hide" and became a nun. She joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers in Nevers and devoted her whole life to God and humanity.

THE FIRST MESSAGE OF LOURDES: POVERTY

Poverty is the sign of God's presence among us. Remember the humble stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born? Jesus was born as a poor baby, grew up into a poor young man, and died in poverty. For our sake, he made Himself poor though he was rich, so that we might become rich by his poverty (2 Corinthians 8:9). At the time of the apparitions, Bernadette was living in a one room basement, known as the Cachot (a former prison cell), because her whole family was suffering from extreme dire poverty. What was the Massabielle Grotto like during the apparitions in Lourdes? It was a dirty pig shelter and one cannot deny the fact that it was totally in contrast with the pure Virgin Mary dressed in white. But why did She choose to appear in a dirty grotto instead of a luxurious place? Because the Grotto has something in common with the stable of Bethlehem - it is a very humble place.

In this materialistic world when everyone is chasing after material wealth, not many can live an altruistic life. "I want to remain poor" - that was what Bernadette said to the journalist who wanted to take her to Paris so that she could make herself a fortune by telling the story of her apparitions. Although Bernadette was not a very bright child and had problems learning her catechism, the apparitions had enabled her to understand the meaning and purpose of the intense poverty that she and her family had to endure. Did she not resemble the Son of God, who came to live among us as a poor man among the poor more than 2000 years ago? This is the first message of Lourdes.

THE SECOND MESSAGE OF LOURDES: PRAYER

The apparitions in Lourdes began with prayer and continued through prayer. True prayer is not selfish prayer which concentrates on repetitions of personal requests. It is a prayer of offering which involves one's entire life - a personal meeting and "heart-to-heart" dialogue of love with God. True prayer comes from the heart and goes beyond the mere recitation of words. It enables us to pour out our heart and soul sincerely to God who will give us strength and hope thus drawing us nearer to Him. At the Grotto of Massabielle, Bernadette experienced real prayer, silent and joyous, a prayer of giving which embraced her entire life - her joys and sufferings, her health and illnesses, her serenity and solitude. How did Bernadette pray at the grotto? According to her, "The Lady held her rosary and made the sign of the cross. I got down on my knees and began to recite the rosary." Why the rosary? Praying the rosary is like inviting the Mother of God to intercede for us. It also enables us to meditate on the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious mysteries - the key mysteries of salvation.

THE THIRD MESSAGE OF LOURDES: PENANCE, CONVERSION, PURIFICATION

The Miraculous Spring in the Grotto

"Penance, penance, penance... Pray to God for the conversion of sinners. Kiss the ground as a sign of penance for sinners, " the Immaculate Conception said to Bernadette to whom she appeared during the eighth apparition on 24 February 1858. Witnesses present at the grotto saw her crawling on her knees and kissing the ground. During the ninth apparition on 25 February 1858, the Immaculate Conception told Bernadette to "Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself."  Bernadette was seen going to the back of the grotto and digging in the mud with her hands. She then drank the dirty spring water that appeared and washed her face in it. Why did Bernadette washed herself and drank in the muddy spring water? Although she acted strangely that day, this was an act of penitence and purification of the soul - an invitation to reconcile with God through the renewal of baptism.

In Lourdes, Our Lady called for real penance and sincere conversion. She invited us to reflect on our sins and how they have affected our lives. Similarly, in the Bible, John the Baptist called for repentance on the banks of the Jordan River (Matthew 3:2) and Jesus reminds us to reform our lives as the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15). The third message of Lourdes is therefore a motherly call to repentance and conversion. According to Antonio Bernardo in Lourdes & Bernadette, repentance-conversion is an act of humility as one has to go against one's pride in order to admit that he/she is a sinner. It is an act of moral courage as one must have the strength to change and not to continue in his/her sinful ways. It is also an act of perseverance as one has to continue living a reformed life because "whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God (Luke 9:62). Let us acknowledge our sins before God and make a good confession today. There will be peace and serenity of conscience after confession and absolution. May we find comfort and salvation in the Sacrament of Confession.


THE FOURTH MESSAGE OF LOURDES: THE GLORIFICATION OF SUFFERING

The Sick in Lourdes

"I cannot promise you happiness in this life but in the next," these were the words that Our Lady said to Bernadette during the third apparition. What is the message behind these words? As what Jesus said to his disciples, "If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in my footsteps" (Matthew 16:24). In a way, these words remind us of Bernadette's Calvary and can be interpreted to mean that true happiness arises from within and cannot be found externally. Honesty, kindness, generosity, responsibility - the good values that we possess will bring us true happiness if we center God in these values.

Many pilgrims visit Lourdes every year in the quest for miracles and hope that they would be miraculously healed. Those who do not understand the message of Lourdes would return home in great disappointment and misery if they could not find the magical cure that they are looking for. Perhaps their pilgrimage to Lourdes would be more meaningful if they are looking for a spiritual healing instead of a physical one. Although healing is important, knowing how to bear suffering is even more important. Instead of getting rid of their cross, they should understand more about it and carry it. The passion of Bernadette is a reminder that true happiness is not to be relieved of one's suffering but to understand what it means and bear it. As what Bernadette said, "I am happier in my bed of pain than any queen on her throne. Suffering in silence for Christ is joy. To love sincerely is to offer up everything." So here I would like to add another message of Lourdes - the glorification of suffering.


You may also like to read THE SEVENTEENTH APPARITION: THE MIRACLE OF THE CANDLE, The Value of Suffering and The Passion of Bernadette To view the content page of this blog, please click here.



References:
1.  Lourdes: Apparition, Message, Pilgrimage. MSM.
2.  Bernadette Recounts Her Appartions by Antonio Bernardo. Doucet Publication - Lourdes.
3.  Lourdes History. Editions A. Doucet - Lourdes.
4.  Discover Lourdes. MSM.
5.  Lourdes & Bernadette by Antonio Bernardo. Publisher "il Calamo".
6.  Lourdes: In Bernadette's Footsteps by Father Joseph Bordes. MSM
7.  Lourdes. A. Doucet Publications - Lourdes.
8.  The New American Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

BERNADETTE'S FINAL APPARITION

More than three months after the 17th. Apparition on 7 April 1858, in the evening of 16 July 1858, Bernadette suddenly felt that she was drawn once more to the Massabielle Grotto. And that was truly her final apparition. It was also the feast day of the Madonna of Mount Carmel. By that time, the Massabielle Grotto had already closed down and access to it was forbidden. However, nothing could stop Bernadette from responding to the call of Our Lady. She went to see her Aunt Lucille who came up with a good solution to her problem. Since the Grotto was closed to the public, the two of them had to take another route, across the meadow known as 'de la Ribere' which led to the other side of the River Gave opposite the Grotto. Since that was private property and did not fall within the prohibited area's perimeter, Bernadette, her aunt and their two companions had no problem getting there. There, 250 meters from the Grotto, Bernadette saw Our Lady for the last time. It was almost sunset. Although she stood a distance from the barricaded Grotto on the other side of the River Gave, she was able to see Our Lady very clearly. According to Bernadette, "I didn't see the barrier or the river. I seemed to be right in front of the Grotto just like the other times. I only saw the Virgin and she was more beautiful than ever." The two women who witnessed Bernadette's final apparition gathered around her and asked, "What did the Lady tell you?" Bernadette's reply was, "Nothing. She appeared to me just like the other times but she remained silent."

Bernadette did not mention this event when she was called to give evidence on 7 November 1858 before the sub-committee of Inquiry and again on 7 December 1860 before the Bishop. What was the reason for her silence? She probably felt that this apparition was strictly personal and an exclusively private one. Was the story of Lourdes to end on 16 July 1858?  The answer is "No." A new Lourdes was born which has been destined to become a message of hope and a lighted beacon for all those who are ardently trying to find themselves and seeking God in their lives. It has since become a place of prayer and contemplation that continues until today.

On 28 July 1858, Bishop Monseigneur Laurence, the Bishop of Tarbes, set up a Canonical Investigation Board to verify the nature and authenticity of the apparitions. The investigations began on 2 August 1858 and lasted for four years during which Bernadette and all the witnesses witnesses were interrogated and examined by the Board. 35 cases of inexplicable healing were confirmed by a team of doctors under the supervision of Professor Vergez of the medical faculty of Montpellier. Countless reports were made. Finally, in his pastoral letter dated 18 January 1862, Monseigneur Laurence declared that her apparitions were worthy of the assent and recognized the apparitions in Lourdes as being genuine and of a supernatural nature.

After her apparitions ended, Bernadette, having suffered from asthma for years, was removed from Lourdes to convalesce at the waters of Cauterets. From there, she moved to the hospice school operated by the Sisters of Charity at Nevers on 15 July 1860. She continued with her studies at the hospice school whilst at the same time helping the Sisters in their work. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity as a nun in 1866, and remained in residence at the order's motherhouse until her death in 1879. She was beatified by the church in 1925, and canonized in 1933. (Please click here to view the contents page of this blog)


References:

1.  Bernardo, Antonio. Lourdes. Lourdes: Doucet Publications.
2.  Bernardo, Antonio. (2007). Lourdes & Bernadette. Italy: Ilcalamo

THE CHURCH OF SAINT BERNADETTE

The interior of the Church of Saint Bernadette, Lourdes

Standing on the left bank of the Gave de Pau River opposite the Grotto of Massabielle is the Church of Saint Bernadette (Eglise Sainte Bernadette). It is a very modern, bright, and spacious building with relatively little adornment which took 17 months to build. 100-metre long and 80 metre-wide, the Church of Saint Bernadette can hold up to 5000 people and 350 wheelchairs. However, movable Church partitions can be drawn to divide the nave into smaller sections for smaller gatherings. The most prominent feature of the Church is probably its ceiling made of interwoven asymmetrical iron bars underneath a roof that was designed to incorporate as much natural daylight into the Church as possible. 

Inside the Church of Saint Bernadette - take note of the wonderful ceiling

The well-equipped conference rooms of the Church which are perfect for meetings, seminars, presentations, and social gatherings can accommodate from 40 to 500 people. On the right side of the church is the Mount Carmel lecture theatre which can accommodate up to 500 people. Most of the pilgrimage conferences are held there. The French Bishops' Annual Conference is also held there in the autumn. Nearby is the Adoration Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is presented during the pilgrimage season from April to October. 

The Church was designed by the French architects, Jean-Paul Felix, Cyril Despres, Jean-Paul Guinard and Dominique Yvon and built on the spot where Bernadette stood during the 18th and final apparition on 16 July 1858. It was consecrated on 25 March 1988 by Monsignor Henri Donze to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the apparitions. This ceremony was his last benediction as the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. On the same day after this ceremony, he was succeeded by Monsignor Jean Yves Marie Sahuquet who became the new Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes.

Designed with the architectural concept intended to create a pleasant and friendly atmosphere, the Church was built in the shape of a semicircular amphitheatre. Open air Masses and special Church events are held at the Meadow, the large area around the Church. The Mass of the Assumption, which is attended by eighty thousand pilgrims from around the world every year, is traditionally celebrated in the Church. On 15 August 1983, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in the Church in the presence of three hundred thousand pilgrims. 

You may also like to read THE BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE MUSEUM OF LOURDES, and THE MESSAGE OF LOURDES. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.

References:

1.  Discover Lourdes. MSM.

2.  Lourdes. Doucet Publications.

3.  Lourdes & Bernadette. Publisher "il Calamo".

4.  Lourdes. Andre Doucet Pubication.

THE PARISH CHURCH OF LOURDES

The Parish Church of Saint Peter, Lourdes

The Parish Church of Saint Peter where Bernadette was baptised on 9 January 1844 does not exist anymore. Already in a state of disrepair, it was seriously damaged by fire and the remaining ruins were demolished in the year 1905. Where the old Parish Church of Saint Peter stood is now a large square, known as the Peyramale Square or Place Peyramale, which is dominated by a huge war memorial to commemorate the residents of Lourdes who perished during the two World Wars. Dating from the year 1927, this colossal monument is located in front of the Tourist Office of Lourdes.

The War Memorial at the Peyramale Square

At the end of a narrow street opposite the Peyramale Square is the new Parish Church, the Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart) Parish Church, which is a reminder of the old Parish Church of Saint Peter. The construction of the new Parish Church commenced on 28 July 1875. The new Parish Church was inaugurated on 8 September 1903 by Monsignor Francois-Xavier Schoepfer, the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. The facade of the Church is dominated by a  65 meter high Pyrenean stone bell tower which was completed in the year 1936. The statue of Bernadette stands under the bell tower. There is a bronze statue of Father Peyramale in front of the Church. Father Peyramale was the Parish Priest of Lourdes from December 1854 until his death on 8 September 1877.

The Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Lourdes

                                   
The interior of the church is divided into three naves. To the left of the entrance is the baptismal font where Bernadette was baptised on her parents' first wedding annversary. There is a painting which depicts this event on the wall of the Church. The font was moved to the new Parish Church of the Sacred Heart from the old Parish Church of Saint Peter. The tomb of Father Peyramale lies in the crypt. The Parish Church is a perfect place for prayers and reflection. I used to go there in the mornings and sat peacefully in this Church praying, reflecting while admiring its magnificent Romanesque Revival architecture.

The Interior of the Church

A Place of Peace

The Holy Family

Jesus & Mary

Jesus & St. Anthony of Padua

Located at Place L'Eglise, 65100 Lourdes, France, the Parish Church of the Sacred Heart was built in the cultural, economic and commercial center of Lourdes. Within a radius of 600-700 metres from the Church are the post office and Saint Bernadette Hospital. Situated in the heart of the town and within walking distance from the Church is the Marcadal Square or the Place Marcadal where the banks (Courtois Bank, Michel Inchauspe-Bami Bank,  & Caisse d'Epargne Lourdes), market, tourism office, conference centre and municipality can be found.

You may also like to read LOURDES: THE ROSARY BASILICA, BASILICA OF SAINT PIUS X, THE BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE CHURCH OF SAINT BERNADETTE. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.


References:
1.  Lourdes. Doucet Publications.
2.  Lourdes & Bernadette. Publisher "il Calamo".

THE PETIT LOURDES MUSEUM

The Petit Lourdes Museum

Located at 68 Avenue Peyramale, 65100 Lourdes, the Musée du Petit Lourdes or Petit Lourdes Museum can be found at the end of rue Peyramale. To get there, visitors can take a short walk along the River Gave de Pau. However, I have never tried walking there before because I could easily take the Little Train of Lourdes which always stopped right in front of my hotel. Also known as the "Little Lourdes", it is virtually an open-air museum that is full of history and situated in a beautiful green valley. What makes it so interesting and lovable are its miniature reproductions of the major buildings found in Lourdes at the time of the apparitions. Here, visitors can get an idea of what the little town of Lourdes looked like back in 1858.

The miniature Castle of Lourdes can be seen in a prominent position on top of a rock. Visitors can also see the miniatures of Bartres, Peyramale's presbytery, the Cachot, the old bridge, the houses and mills, the old Parish Church, the grotto and practically everything about the old Lourdes. The present rue de la Grotte did not exist at that time. In its place was a stream known as the Lapacca which flowed into the River Gave de Pau. During those days, this river played an essential role in the lives of the inhabitants of Lourdes as its fast-flowing water could be used  to power the mills. Amongst these were the Boly Mill (where Bernadette was born) and the Lacade Mill, also known as Bernadette's father's house.

Overall, the Petit Lourdes Museum is a unique and beautiful miniature version of Lourdes that is really worth visiting especially for pilgrims who wish to go through the history of Lourdes. This model village has provided me with an excellent introduction to the history of Lourdes and the life of Bernadette. It looked very real to me - as though I have gone back in time and space to 19th Century Lourdes and living the real experience at the time of the apparitions. Taking a walk in Lourdes as it was in 1858 and admiring its old buildings, streets, rivers, and mills in a beautiful green valley was an extremely pleasant experience for me. I am sure that those who have been there would feel the same too. Below are some of the photos which I took in the museum during my visit to Lourdes.

The little village of Lourdes, lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, more than 150 years ago.

Lourdes in 1858

Bartres Village

The sheepfold of Bartres where Bernadette used to look after the sheep

The de Savy Mill

The Old Bridge (Le Pont-Vieux)

The Cachot

The Police Station and the Castle of Lourdes behind it

The post office

The Presbytery

The stream, the Lapacca

Ravielle Mill of Peyrouse

A communal wash-house

Rue du Bourg

Boly Mill - Bernadette's Birthplace

Chapel of Saint John the Baptist / Bain Mill

The fortified  Castle of Lourdes

Thanks for reading. You may also like to read The Museum of Lourdes if you want to know more about the numerous museums in Lourdes. To find out more about the best places to visit in Lourdes, please click here as there is a complete list of my articles about Lourdes on this page.