In my post Lourdes: A Place of Healing and Grace, I wrote about my desire to go to Lourdes, France this summer. It seems God is allowing my desire to become a reality…

I officially booked a trip to Lourdes!

Even though the details are in place, it seems surreal that it’s really happening.

A small desire within my heart has turned into a big leap of faith I’m being asked to take.

The Lord knows my struggles and my weakness. He knows I can’t do this without Him. He knows I need a lot of help, and He’s already begun to provide it through the people around me.

I’d like to thank:

• My parents
• The person who will be making the pilgrimage with me
• Those who are praying for me

I humbly ask for your continued prayers. None of this will be possible without God’s grace; and I know He hears every single prayer offered.

Whether it’s one simple prayer or many deep prayers, the Lord hears and answers.

Please know that I’ll offer prayers for those who read my blog, as well as my family and friends, while in Lourdes. If you have specific prayer intentions you’d like me to bring there, please don’t hesitate to ask!

If you haven’t done so already, please send all prayer intentions through my Contact page.

Please include “Lourdes Prayer Intentions” in your message and be sure to send them before July 25th. Click here for the page.

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I’d like to invite you to pray a novena with me. (You know I love novenas!)

I’ll pray to Our Lady of Lourdes from July 8th to July 16th.

It will end on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a special feast for our Mother.

I’ll share the text of the prayer below.

My prayer intentions will be specific for the pilgrimage. When praying the novena, please make any request you desire.

Be sure to pray the novena for nine consecutive days and ask for the same intention each day.

I hope you’ll join me in prayer!

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Our Lady of Lourdes Novena

O most pure Virgin Mary, in the Grotto of Lourdes with life, sweetness and beauty, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, and our sufferings. Look upon us in your mercy.

Holy Mother of God, by appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical.

Therefore, I come with strong confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for me, O loving Mother, my prayer request,

(STATE YOUR REQUEST)

Through gratitude for your favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues, so that we may one day share your glory.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God and obtain for us our special requests from your Divine Son. Amen.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

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+ This prayer should be said on each day of the novena

+ Prayer text from St. Anthony’s Guild