Our Lady of Lourdes: A beacon of faith for all Goans

Our Lady of Lourdes is one of the most beloved titles of the Virgin Mary, evoking deep devotion and reverence among Catholics worldwide. The story of Our Lady’s apparitions to St. Bernadette Soubirous (then, age 14 years) in Lourdes, France, in 1858 is a testament to Mother Mary’s compassion and her role as a mother who intercedes for her children. February 11, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, is a special day of prayer, reflection, and hope for healing.

In Lourdes, Mother Mary appeared 18 times to the young and humble Bernadette, revealing herself as the “Immaculate Conception.” She called for penance and prayer, and through her, God worked miracles, most notably the healing of the sick. The spring of water at the Grotto of Massabielle (the cave where Mother Mary first appeared to Bernadette as she was gathering firewood with her sister and a friend), continues to be a source of physical and spiritual healing for millions of pilgrims.
For Goans, devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes holds a significant place in their faith and culture. Goa, with its rich Catholic heritage rooted in Portuguese influence, has always embraced devotion to Mother Mary wholeheartedly. In many Goan parishes, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated with great fervour, uniting communities in prayer and festivity. The Grotto of Lourdes, a common feature in many Goan villages, including many houses in our locality of Aquem, that serves as a spiritual refuge where the faithful gather to light candles, offer prayers, and seek Mother Mary’s intercession.
Some of the striking examples of this devotion can be found in Utorda, Ambaulim and Valpoi, picturesque villages in Goa, which are home to Churches dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. Some of these churches, date back to the 18th century, they exude Goan-Portuguese architectural beauty and are the center of faith for the local community. Every year, the feast of the patron, Our Lady, draws crowds, not only from the village but also from neighbouring areas, creating an atmosphere of unity and spiritual renewal. Processions, novenas, and special masses form the core of the celebrations.
Our Goan diaspora also keeps this devotion alive, celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in churches and homes abroad. From London to Kuwait, Goans gather to honour Mother Mary, creating a spiritual bridge that connects them to their homeland and to one another. This shared faith becomes a source of strength and identity, especially for those living far from home.
The message from Lourdes — prayer, penance, and faith in God’s healing power — resonates deeply with Goan Catholics, who draw inspiration from Mother Mary’s loving presence in their lives. In times of personal and communal struggles, her example of humility and unwavering faith serves as a beacon of hope. For Goans, Our Lady of Lourdes is not just a heavenly intercessor but also a source of cultural and spiritual pride.
As we reflect on Our Lady of Lourdes, let us seek her intercession for healing in our lives and for the world. May her message of peace and prayer continue to inspire and unite us, reminding us of God’s boundless mercy and love.
Images of veneration of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Sanctuary:

The
venerated Marian image in Quezon City, canonically crowned by formal decree of
Pope Francis for the Philippines on 22 August 2020.
Pope
Benedict XVI placing a crown on Our Lady of Lourdes for the plenary indulgence
he attached for pilgrims of the World Day of the Sick. 11 February 2007, Saint
Peter’s Basilica.
The
sanctuary basilica built at Lourdes directly above the grotto of the
apparitions

Louella Dias