Based on the third goal - Listen and educate in faith: On February 11, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes; on this day, we also pray for the sick, as it is the World Day of the Sick.
Introduction “Our Lady of Lourdes” udayton.edu, marianist.com, Marian Writings, Vol 2, 14, Blessed Chaminade
On February 11, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. We also celebrate the World Day of the Sick, instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1992, in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous at the Grotto of Massabielle in 1858 on February 11. At the Grotto, the Virgin Mary revealed to Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Lourdes became a place of miraculous favors and healings, both physical and spiritual, which have taken place through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In Marianist history, Blessed Father Chaminade established Marian sodalities in honor of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. The first Marianist Lay Sodality established by Father Chaminade was called “Congregation of the Immaculate Conception.” In his letter to Blessed Adèle de Batz, Father Chaminade writes that the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary will always be the patronal feast of the [Lay] Sodality.
Prayer Adapted from the Collect prayer of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness, that we, who keep the memorial of the Immaculate Mother of God, may, with the help of her intercession, rise from our iniquities. We also pray for all members in our families and communities who are inflicted with various illnesses and ask the Blessed Virgin to intercede with Jesus Christ, so that He may grant His healing and mercy upon them. We also pray for the peace of Christ to reign in the hearts and souls of all peoples and the world today. We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Scripture Reading John 2: 1-11, RSVCE
On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Silent Introspection Marian Writings, Vol 2, 337, William Joseph Chaminade
Let us silently reflect on the following text from the writings of Blessed Father Chaminade on Blessed Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception:
The Immaculate Conception
The very first among the prerogatives that were given to the Blessed Virgin was that of being immaculate in her conception. Vessel of predilection, she came into this world free from the stain of original sin...
She must have possessed this privilege from the first moment of her existence, and she must have possessed it fully without obstacle... No one, then can deny the purity of her conception.
Personal/Group Reflection vatican.va
On the occasion of the 32nd World Day of the Sick, with the theme, “It is not good that man should be alone: Healing the sick by healing relationships,” Pope Francis, shared this message with the Church, “…the first form of care needed in any illness is compassionate and loving closeness…”
How does the above message on this feast of Our Lady of Lourdes inspire me?
May the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
Would you like to use the above-mentioned reflection in your community? Click here to download the pdf.
Reflection prepared by Hazel Franco