Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Book of Genesis 2:18-25, Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, & Mark 7:24-30

Today, our Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. On February 11, 1858, the first of eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the humble Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes, France, took place. On March 25, when Bernadette asked the "Beautiful Lady" her name, she replied, "I am the Immaculate Conception." Since then, the worldwide devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes wrought by countless miracles through her intercession has caused one of the marvelous regenerations in the Catholic Church's history.

Daily Reflection: It is not good to be alone. God first sent the animals to see what man would call them. He named each one but no name close to filling the emptiness. Where is the companion of these days and nights? Being alone engulfed him. Then the man fell asleep. God took action and entered the sleeping body with surgical ease to extract a rib close to the heart. From the bone, God fashioned a life. The creature will dream with you. You will venture into the aloneness together. Love, struggle, care, and more arise from this shared life. Hold on tight; now you are one. Eve is alive and with him. Adam is alone no more. May God bless the Sacrament of Marriage.

Question of the Day: Will you pray to our "Beautiful Lady" for healing through her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ?

Prayer: The Lord God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." (Genesis 2:18)