| We are doing a special healing novena (meaning "nine days of prayers") in preparation for the feast of the apparitions of Our Lady in Lourdes to St. Bernadette Soubirous on February 11th. We offer this novenafor all who asked our prayers, or who visiting this website wants to join us in this prayer. February 11 is also the World Day of the Sick, and we feel that it is a good occasion to ask the healing power of the Holy Spirit for the intercession of Mary and St. Bernadette - as it was witnessed by many at Lourdes! We do it very simple: every day from February 2 to February 10 we say some prayer with our own words for the needs we are aware of and end with some vocal prayers, like Hail Holy Queen, Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.... If somebody wishes instead of spontaneous prayer can say also a prayer written by others like this: "O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests. Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory". Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen. |
| The XVII World Day of the Sick of 2009 bring into focus the care for sick and suffering children, here is an excerpt of the message of Benedict the XVI: "This year we direct our attention particularly to children, the weakest and most defenceless creatures, and, amongst them, to the sick and suffering children. There are little human beings who carry in their bodies the consequences of illnesses which have made them invalids and others who fight against diseases that are now incurable despite the progress of medicine and the care of qualified researchers and health-care professionals. There are children wounded in their bodies and souls as a consequence of conflicts and wars, and other innocent victims of the hatred of senseless adults. There are �street� children, deprived of the warmth of a family and abandoned to themselves, and minors profaned by abject people who violate their innocence, provoking in them a psychological wound that will mark them for the rest of their lives. And we cannot forget the incalculable number of young people who die because of thirst, hunger, lack of health care, and the little exiles and refugees from their own lands, with their parents, who are in search of better conditions of life. From all these children arises a silent cry of pain that calls on our conscience as men and believers." (the text of the message is available in English in its entirety on the website of the Kildare and Leighlin Diocese here and on the Vatican website in Italian here ) The XVI World Day of the Sick had the theme "The Eucharist, Lourdes and Pastoral Care of the Sick" (the full text is available here ) was made public on January 18th - according this news of VIS 2008 marked the150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes to St. Bernadette - see the site of the Jubilee Year of Lourdes (A plenary indulgence was offered for the 150th anniversary - read more about it here) Visit also the official web site of Lourdes http://www.lourdes-france.org/ there for example you can see the Grotto of Our Lady live on a webcam here and pray in front of your computerscreen as if you were there. There also you can read about many interesting details, information about St. Bernadette, the Apparitions and Lourdes itself in six languages. You can place your petition at the Grotto of Lourdes through the internet here Learn about the XV World Day of the Sick on Feb 11 2007 dedicated to the care of people with incurable illnesses and was hosted in Seoul, South Korea here and here The World Day of the sick was instituted by John Paul II in 1992 - read about it here |
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| Our Lady of Lourdes Novena Dates February 2-10, Feast Day February 11 which is also World Day of the Sick |