Please join us as we make a novena in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes from February 2-10. If you have special intentions you would like the Sisters to remember during the novena, you may send them in using the form below. (N.B.: A donation is customary but is not obligatory; you may just put a zero in the donation box.)
In 1858, near Lourdes in southern France, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl, asking that a chapel be built on the site.
Bernadette described the Lady who appeared to her as clothed in white, with a blue sash around her waist and a rosary hanging from her arm. During one of these apparitions, the beautiful Lady told Bernadette to drink from the spring, instructing her to dig at a certain spot. At first, only a little muddy water began to flow, but its volume rapidly grew. Soon people began using the water and numerous miracles took place.
It was not until one of her final apparitions that the Lady revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception. Although Bernadette did not know the meaning of these words, the Pope had declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.
Because of the numerous cures that have taken place at Lourdes, it has become the world’s most famous modern shrine of Our Lady. The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is observed on February 11.
Novena Prayers
“Thou hast visited the earth and hast plentifully showered it with blessings; thou hast enriched it in many ways” (Ps. 64:10).
Today the glorious Queen of Heaven appeared on earth; today she brought to her people words of salvation and tokens of peace; today choirs of angels and of the faithful are filled with joy as they praise the Immaculate Conception.
Glory be to the Father...
Thou art all fair, O Mary, and the original stain is not in thee.
“Thou are the glory of Jerusalem; thou art the joy of Israel; thou art the honor of our people” (Judith 15:10).
Truly happy art thou, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise, who with thy virginal foot hast crushed the serpent’s head.
Hail Mary...
O Virgin Mary, God most high hast blessed thee more abundantly than all other women on earth. This day the Lord has honored thee so much that thy praise will never cease to be on the lips of men.
O Mary, perform miracles and work marvels anew! Make thy power appear glorious! Hasten the time of our deliverance and be mindful of thy promises. Let mankind proclaim thy wondrous deeds.
Hail Mary...
O Mary, from the very beginning thou wast the Lord’s and He loved thee with eternal love. Call upon the Lord and speak to the King in our behalf. Deliver us from death! Hail Mary...
Mary speaks:
“I chose this place and made it holy, in order that my name might be honored there, and my eyes and my heart might remain there forever” (2 Para. 7:16).
“My delights were to be with the children of men” (Prov. 8:31).
V. Let me praise thee, O holy Virgin!
R. Give me strength in my conflict with thine enemies!
O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary didst prepare a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, we humbly beseech Thee that we who celebrate the Apparition of the same Virgin, may obtain health of mind and body. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.