In a previous post I wrote about surrender. I also shared the Surrender Novena and invited my readers to join me in prayer…
As we begin a new calendar year, many people make “resolutions” for the year.
When I thought about this, I wondered:
What if we focus on a different type of goal this year? What if we make a dedicated effort each day to surrender to God?
The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God is celebrated annually on January 1st.
In honor of Our Lady’s special day, I’d like to share a traditional hymn that highlights her role as Mother.
Last year I wrote a post about the Holy Rosary.
Since October is dedicated to this devotion, and the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th, I’d like to share this post again.
In my previous post, I gave descriptions of the first nine apparitions in Lourdes.
In that post, there was an issue with the photos and they weren’t visible at first! The issue was fixed later and the photos are now visible.
If you weren’t able to view the photos when you initially read the post, please click here to revisit it. (I recommend doing this because the photos illustrate the connections.)
In this post, I’ll present the last nine apparitions and the connections between the past and the present.
The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous eighteen times in the Grotto of Massabielle.
The apparitions began on February 11th and ended on July 16th in the year 1858.
Before going to Lourdes, I had some knowledge of the apparitions.
However, I didn’t know all of details or the connections between the apparitions and what currently takes place at the Sanctuary.
I recently discovered information about the apparitions on the official Lourdes website.
In this post, I’d like to share information for the first nine apparitions.
I’ll also share connections between past and present events in Lourdes.
God calls each of us in different ways.
He may speak words that we hear in our minds or words that we hear through another person.
He may place a deep feeling within our heart or allow us to receive a revelation through Scripture or prayer.
We may experience His call in a dramatic or sudden way. More often, the encounter is gentle or gradual.
A call from God is both personal and specific. Each person’s experience is unique, and it can be hard to explain or put into words.
In this post, I’d like to share more about my call to Lourdes.
“Would you do me the kindness of coming here for fifteen days?” ~ Blessed Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous, February 18, 1858
Today, August 22nd the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
From the earliest ages of the catholic church a Christian people, whether in time of triumph or more especially in time of crisis, has addressed prayers of petition and hymns of praise and veneration to the Queen of Heaven. And never has that hope wavered which they placed in the Mother of the Divine King, Jesus Christ; nor has that faith ever failed by which we are taught that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, reigns with a mother’s solicitude over the entire world, just as she is crowned in heavenly blessedness with the glory of a Queen (Venerable Pius XII, Ad Caeli Reginam 1).
During my recent pilgrimage in Lourdes, I witnessed Mary’s Queenship being honored in a number of ways.
One event stood out to me the most. I’d like to share it with you because it connects to today’s feast.
