Bernadette was a sickly child of poor parents. Their practice of the Catholic faith was little more than lukewarm. Bernadette could pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Creed. She also knew the prayer of the Miraculous Medal: "O Mary conceived without sin."

At first, Bernadette did not know who the Lady was. She described her as a beautiful woman, wearing a white robe with a blue sash, a white veil, a rosary in her hands, and a golden rose on each foot. The lady smiled and invited Bernadette to pray the holy rosary with her. She asked Bernadette to come every day for 16 days.

Skeptical town officials began harassing Bernadette. Even her family tried to keep her from visiting the Grotto but Bernadette was determined to go there. At one meeting, the Lady invited the girl to drink from a spring nearby. No spring was to be seen, but when Bernadette dug at a spot designated by the apparition, water began to flow. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify.

On the eleventh visit, Our Lady asked Bernadette to tell the priests to build a chapel on the site of the vision. Bernadette conveyed this message but the parish priest said he would not believe it unless the apparition gave Bernadette her name.

On March 25th, Our Lady revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette was unfamiliar with the term Pope Pius IX in 1854 had declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the belief that Mary was conceived without sin.

People began to travel to Lourdes from other parts of France and from all over the world. In 1862, the bishop of the diocese confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions and authorized the cult of Our Lady of Lourdes for the diocese. A basilica was built on the rock of Massabielle by the parish priest. In 1873, French pilgrimages were inaugurated. Three years later, the basilica was consecrated and the image of Our Lady was solemnly crowned. The foundation stone of another church was laid in 1883, as the first was no longer large enough to accommodate the increasing pilgrims. It was built at the foot of the basilica and was consecrated in 1901 as the Church of the Rosary. Pope Leo XIII authorized a special office and a mass in commemoration of the apparition. The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes became famous worldwide in 1907; it is now observed on February 11.

Lourdes has become one of the most popular of the world’s Marian shrines. Many come to be healed, physically and spiritually. The water of Lourdes has Our Lady’s promise with it. Miracles happen at Lourdes every day, not always physical miraculous healings but the conversions of sinners.

As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, let us be inspired by the example of Bernadette who believed in the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary although some of the messages were strange to her. Let us continue to do what Our Lady asked of Bernadette, to do penance and continue praying for the conversion of sinners.