There is a beautiful stained glass window in my home parish church, St. Jane de Chantal in Abita Springs, La, of St. Bernadette encountering our Lady at Lourdes. In Latin is written her powerful declaration, "I am the Immaculate Conception".
It was 1858 when young Bernadette spotted the lady in the lovely white dress with a bright belt. She was in a cave near the river. a feeling came over Bernadette that made her unable to move her arms but she managed a sign of the cross and began praying the rosary. When she stopped, Mary disappeared.
Mary asked Bernadette to return to the spot every day for 15 days. She was also instructed to tell the priests of the area to build a chapel there. Mary also instructed Bernadette to drink from the stream which she mistook as the river which was evident to her. Mary instead led Bernadette to the tiniest stream of water from which she did indeed drink. It is this flow of water that to this very day are the healing waters of Lourdes.
Mary also asked Bernadette to pray for the conversion of sinners before declaring herself the Immaculate Conception.
Through this humble girl and blessed encounter, Mary calls sinners to conversion and has enkindled in the Church a great zeal for prayer and charity, especially service to the poor and sick.
Hail Mary, full of grace!
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