Our Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated in honour of the Marian apparitions that reportedly occurred in 1858, in the vicinity of Lourdes in France. The first of these is the apparition of 11 February 1858 when 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous told her mother that a ‘lady’ spoke to her in the cave of Massabielle while she was gathering firewood with her sister and a friend. Similar apparitions of the ‘Lady’ were reported on seventeen occasions that year, until the climax revelation of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception took place.
On 18th January 1862 Pope Pius IX authorized Bishop Bertrand – Sèvère Laurence to permit the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes. On 3rd July 1876, the same Pontiff officially granted a canonical coronation to the image that used to be in the courtyard of what is now part of the Rosary Basilica. Soubirious was later canonized as a Catholic Saint in 1933.
The Catholic Church celebrates a mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes in many countries on February 11 of each year – the anniversary of the First apparition. The pilgrimage site is visited by millions each year and have been claimed for miraculous healings or Spiritual renewal.
“For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible”.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes.
Oh ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comforter of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Look upon me with mercy. When you appeared in the grotto of Lourdes, you made it a privileged sanctuary where you dispensed your favors, and where many sufferers have attained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come therefore, with unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intersession my loving mother, obtain my request, I will try to imitate your virtues so that I may one day share your company and bless you in eternity. Amen.

Mary Pinheiro