Today The
Church celebrates the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, who first appeared to the young St. Bernadette on this day
155 years ago in the French country side. Many sick and suffering souls have
been healed through pilgrimage to the apparition site, and that is why February 11
is also designated as World Day of the Sick.
In his message for today’s celebration, Pope Benedict XVI said:
In
the Gospel the Blessed Virgin Mary stands out as one who follows her suffering
Son to the
supreme sacrifice on Golgotha. She does not lose hope in God’s victory over
evil, pain and death, and she knows how to accept in one embrace of faith and
love, the Son of God who was born in the stable of Bethlehem and died on the
Cross. Her steadfast trust in the power of God was illuminated by Christ’s
resurrection, which offers hope to the suffering and renews the certainty of
the Lord’s closeness and consolation.
Let us take
this day to pray especially for our Holy Father, who announced his resignation earlier today. Entrust Pope Benedict to the Immaculate
Heart of Mary, that he might find peace in his advanced years.
