The History of the Apparitions
at Lourdes, France

Bernadette was born on January 7th, 1844, the first child
of Francois and Louise Soubirous.  Her family suffered from
a series of misfortunes as she grew up, and were living in a
one-room house which formerly served as a village jail.  On
the morning of February 11th, 1858, the poor family did not
even have firewood to heat their home.  Bernadette, her
younger sister and a friend were searching for firewood when
they spotted a pile of driftwood at a bend in the river, Gave.
As she crossed the shallow river, Bernadette's life forever
changed.

The First Apparition Thursday, February 11, 1858

While gathering wood, Bernadette hears a noise like thunder.
In a grotto beside the river, she sees a golden cloud and a
beautiful woman dressed in white holding a rosary.  Falling
to her knees, Bernadette begins to pray the rosary with Our Lady.
 

The Second Apparition  Sunday, February 14

Returning to the grotto with friends, Bernadette again sees
the vision and falls into a deep rapture.  Only after carried
from the grotto does she return to normalcy.

The Third Apparition  Thursday, February 18

Our Lady, who always has appeared on an upper niche in
the grotto, now moves close to Bernadette.  Bernadette asks
her name and Our Lady replies "It is unnecessary that I put
it in writing" and then asks "Will you please come to this
place for fifteen days?"  Bernadette agrees and the apparition
disappears.

The Fourth Apparition  Friday, February 19

Accompanied by her Mother to the grotto, Bernadette is
again transformed by rapture.  Frightened, her mother cries
out, "My Lord, I beg you!  Please don't take my child from me!"

The Fifth Apparition  Saturday February 20

As word spreads, crowds begin to gather at the grotto.
That morning, even before the sun has begun to brighten
the day, a small crowd watches as Bernadette again prays
the rosary and is enraptured.

The Sixth Apparition  Sunday February 21

Before attending Mass on the first Sunday of Lent,
Bernadette visits the grotto.  The Abbe' of her church
questions her on the account of the events surrounding her.
Later, she is also summoned by the commissioner of police.

Monday, February 22

Although the police and her parents forbid her to visit the
grotto, Bernadette avoids these orders and returns.
Kneeling in prayer surrounded by other faithful visitors
as well as the vigilant police, Bernadette is saddened when
Our Lady does not appear.  She wonders, "What have I
done to offend the Lady?"

The Seventh Apparition  Tuesday February 23

Surrounded by peasants and nobles, Bernadette enters into
communication with Our Lady.  Although her words cannot
be overheard by those attending, it is evident that she is in
animated conversation with Our Lady.

The Eighth Apparition  Wednesday February 24

Our Lady reveals, "Repent! Pray to God for the conversion of
sinners!"  Bernadette kisses the ground as an act of penance.

The Ninth Apparition  Thursday, February 25

Our Lady instructs Bernadette to drink and wash herself
at the fountain in the grotto.  Looking about, she finds no
water but---at the direction of Our Lady---begins to dig at
the foot of the grotto.  Soon a small trickle of water appears
and Bernadette drinks a mouthful and washes her face.  By
the next day, an abundant spring of clear fresh water appears,
which flows to this day.

Friday, February 26

Bernadette returns to the grotto and registers no surprise
at the sight of the newly-revealed spring.  Although she
prays again, the Lady does not appear this day.

The Tenth Apparition  Saturday, February 27

After an animated conversation with Our Lady,
Bernadette follows Our Lady's instructions to "...wash at
the fountain."

The Eleventh Apparition  Sunday, February 28

A multitude of pilgrims accompany Bernadette in prayer.

The Twelfth Apparition  Monday, March 1

Asked by a devout woman (who was ill and confined to bed)
to use her rosary to pray at the Grotto, Bernadette begins
her prayers.  Our Lady is displeased by this substitution
so Bernadette immediately begins using her own rosary.

The Thirteenth Apparition  Tuesday, March 2

Our Lady confides instructions to Bernadette to have the
clergy come in procession and to build a chapel at the spot.
When relating this to the Cure', he asks "What is the Lady's
name?"  Bernadette replies "I do not know."

The Fourteenth Apparition  Wednesday, March 3

In a brief encounter, Bernadette's request to Our Lady to
reveal her name is met with only a smile.

The Fifteenth Apparition  Thursday, March 4

On the last day of the fifteen originally requested, Bernadette
engages in conversation for over an hour with Our Lady,
who still does not reveal her name.  Meanwhile, the crush of
pilgrims begin a constant vigil at the grotto and offerings
cover the ground to assist in the cost of constructing a
chapel.

The Sixteenth Apparition Thursday, March 25

Although there has been no trace of Our Lady for the past three
weeks, Bernadette arises at dawn and approaches the grotto.
There she finds Our Lady already in appearance, looking
over a crowd of thousands.  On this day, the Feast of
the Annunciation, Our Lady reveals, "I am the Immaculate
Conception!" in a local dialect ("Que soy era Immaculada
Concepciou!")

The Seventeenth Apparition  Wednesday, April 7

Witnessed by a physician from Lourdes, the enraptured
Bernadette holds her hand in the flame of a candle for
minutes.  However, the physician finds no sign of injury
examining her afterwards.

The Eighteenth and Final Apparition Friday,July 16

Barred from the grotto by a fence erected by the authorities,
Bernadette approaches from across the river.  Enraptured in
prayer again, Bernadette forever maintains a veil of
secrecy on this last encounter.
 

The Lourdes Grotto of the Southwest

In honor of Mary Immaculate, patroness of the
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Lourdes
Grotto of the Southwest was constructed in
San Antonio, Texas as an exact replica of the Grotto
in Lourdes, France.  For more than 50 years, the Grotto
Shrine has been a place of Marian devotion and an
inspiration of our missionary spirit of bringing the Good
News of Christ to the poor and most abandoned.
 

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

Blessed, Immaculate Virgin, by your
appearance in the Grotto of Lourdes,
many have been cured
of their infirmities,
both spiritual and physical.

Mother of Mercy, Healer of the Sick,
Comforter of the Afflicted,
you know my needs
and my sufferings.
Look upon me with mercy.
I come, therefore, with confidence
in your maternal intercession.
Obtain for me,
from your Divine Son,
O loving Mother, this special request
(mention need here)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for me.

Amen.

Nine Days of
Solemn Prayer to
Our Lady of Lourdes

Directory of Websites
Dedicated to the
Holy Mother of God

Directory of Websites
Dedicated to
Prayer, Devotion,
Teachings and Truths
 

For any prayer requests, comments, or queries, please
feel free to contact us.
Thank you,
Ligurina-Maria