Article: Simple Ways to Celebrate Our Lady of Lourdes
Simple Ways to Celebrate Our Lady of Lourdes
We celebrate Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11th. Our Lady of Lourdes is a Marian apparition that took place in Lourdes, France. She appeared eighteen times to illiterate, impoverished, fourteen-year-old St. Bernadette in 1858. The waters at Lourdes are known to have miraculous healing capabilities.
We have a few simple ways to celebrate Our Lady of Lourdes!
1. Bless Your Life with Healing Water
The waters of Lourdes have brought healing to hundreds of people. Even though you might not be able to visit, you can still bless your life with the healing water that God created and is all around us.
- Be mindful to drink the recommended eight to eleven glasses of water today.
- Bless Break out the holy water and bless yourself with holy water before you leave the house for the day. If you have kids, let them do this, too. You can even get a home holy water font to keep year round.
- Take a refreshing bath.
- Water your garden (and the plants in your house that you may have neglected).
2. Create a Tiny Grotto
Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous at a grotto in France. From the darkness came a light, and a figure appeared who was dressed in white, with a blue belt at her waist, two golden-yellow roses on her feet, and a yellow rosary in her hands.
- Polymer oven bake clay
- 3-inch statue or a printed photo of Mary
- Scissors
- Acrylic paint
- Paint brushes
- Glue
- Tiny dried plants
Roll your clay into a small ball and punch your thumb into the middle. Mold the clay into an arched form like a tiny grotto. Bake according to the package. Meanwhile, paint the Mary statue or cut out a tiny picture of Our Lady of Lourdes. Once the grotto has cured and cooled, glue Mary into the middle. You can decorate the outside with small, dried leaves or flowers.
Little ones delight in having a tiny Mary for their bedrooms or take for your desk at work.
3. Pray the Rosary
Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France. She was "dressed in a white robe, girded at the waist with a blue ribbon. She wore upon her head a white veil which gave just a glimpse of hair. Her feet were bare but covered by the last folds of her robe and a yellow rose was upon each of them. She held on her right arm a rosary of white beads with a chain of gold shining like the two roses on her feet." Mary hopes for nothing more than for us to become closer to her son, Jesus. Praying the rosary is a beautiful way to do just that.
For your kids: Download our free coloring page to teach them about praying the rosary
You can also download our free Mysteries of the Rosary Cards
3. Learn More About Her Story
Read about Bernadette, the apparitions, and the miracles of Our Lady of Lourdes on the grotto’s official website.
4. Pray to God for Healing
Where in your life are you desperate for God’s healing?
Reflect on the wounds in your life, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Invite God into that space and pray to him for healing.
Pray the Our Lady of Lourdes healing prayer. And reach out to a friend and ask them to pray over you for your special intention.
Our Lady of Lourdes healing prayer:
O ever-Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, where you dispense your favors; and where many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. (mention your petition) Through gratitude for your favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen.
Here’s another prayer specific for healing that I love:
Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to you. Allow your healing Hand to heal me. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others; Touch my heart with Your courage and infinite Love for all; Touch my mind with Your Wisdom, And may my mouth always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in all my needs, And help me to lead others to You by my example. Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You will all my strength. Touch gently this life which you have created, now and forever. Amen.
5. Listen to Our Spotify Playlist
Wherever you are on your healing journey, this is a playlist for all of us. As we cry out for healing, as we praise the Lord for His Goodness, as we struggle in the suffering. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
