On February 11, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, commemorating the 1858 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France. These apparitions, which occurred 18 times, have become one of the most significant Marian events in the Church’s history, with millions of pilgrims visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to seek healing and grace. As we reflect on these miraculous events, here are five fascinating facts about the apparitions that continue to inspire devotion around the world.
1. Paralysis of Bernadette’s Arm
During the first apparition on February 11, 1858, Bernadette, a 13-year-old girl, was gathering firewood when she experienced a sudden wind and rustling noise. Looking toward the grotto, she saw a golden light and a beautiful lady. According to the accounts of the apparition, when Bernadette attempted to pray the rosary, her arm became paralyzed. “When Bernadette tried to begin saying the rosary by making the sign of the cross, her arm was paralyzed,” the narrative states. “It was only after the Lady made the sign of the cross herself that Bernadette was able to do the same.” This moment marked the beginning of the extraordinary encounters Bernadette would have with the Blessed Mother. As Bernadette continued to pray, the beads of her rosary moved between her fingers, even though the Lady remained silent.
2. The Secret Prayer
During the fifth apparition on February 20, 1858, the Lady taught Bernadette a special prayer, which Bernadette would recite every day for the rest of her life. “She never revealed the prayer to anyone, but she did say she was told to always bring a blessed candle with her,” according to the account. This is why candles perpetually burn at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, symbolizing the light of prayer and the sacredness of Bernadette’s relationship with the Lady.
3. The Lady Shares Her Name
On the 16th apparition, which occurred on March 25, 1858, the feast of the Annunciation, the Lady revealed her identity to Bernadette, calling herself the “Immaculate Conception.” According to the records of the apparition, the Lady “revealed her identity to Bernadette, calling herself the ‘Immaculate Conception.’” This revelation was a powerful confirmation of the Church’s teachings on the purity of Mary, and it also provided Bernadette with a direct connection to a theological truth that would become central to her life and ministry.
4. The Burn of Fire
One of the most remarkable and mysterious moments occurred during the 17th apparition on April 7, 1858. Bernadette, following the Lady’s instructions, always brought a lighted candle with her to the grotto. However, during this apparition, she placed one of her hands over the flame of the candle, and witnesses saw the fire burning through her fingers. Despite the intense heat, Bernadette continued to pray for 15 minutes. “Witnesses saw the flame burning through her fingers, and yet she was able to pray for 15 minutes with the flame burning her hand,” the account explains. When a physician tested the flame on her hand after she emerged from prayer, “Bernadette immediately cried out in pain,” showing that this event was more than mere physical endurance; it was an extraordinary miracle of divine protection.
5. The Miracle of Bernadette’s Body
Bernadette’s life continued to be marked by her deep devotion after the apparitions ended. She joined the Sisters of Charity and lived a humble life, dying at the young age of 34 on April 16, 1879. However, it was after her death that another miraculous event occurred. Thirty years later, on September 22, 1909, her body was exhumed, and “her body was found completely intact.” A second exhumation took place in 1919, and “the body was found in the exact same state as it had been 10 years earlier.” This miraculous preservation led to Bernadette’s canonization as a saint by Pope Pius XI on December 8, 1933. Her incorruptibility remains a sign of the sanctity of her life and the miraculous nature of the Lourdes apparitions.
The apparitions at Lourdes remain a powerful testament to the miraculous presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From the paralysis of Bernadette’s arm to the miraculous preservation of her body, these events continue to inspire devotion and pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. As we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, we remember Bernadette Soubirous and her unwavering faith, and we continue to seek her intercession through the healing waters of Lourdes.
