This beautiful Grotto was built through the generosity of donors and the selfless effort of volunteers. World Day of the Sick is celebrated annually on February 11th, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pilgrims come from near and far in buses and cars, with friends and family assisting those in wheelchairs. A special blessing of each person with the Most Blessed Sacrament is given after Benediction.
Our Lady of Lourdes
On February 11th 1858, a little girl, Bernadette Soubirous, was walking by a rocky cave near her native town of Lourdes in the Pyrenees Mountains in France. She was looking for pieces of firewood for her poor parents. Suddenly she heard a sound like a strong wind blowing. She looked towards the trees, but they were not moving. So she looked again, this time to a niche of a rocky grotto. There she saw a figure of a lady clothed in a white garment with a rosary in her hand.
This was the first of 18 visions that Mary granted to Bernadette. The last occurred on July 16th 1858, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Our Lady gave the girl many messages. She told her to drink water from a puddle in the ground at the foot of the Grotto, from which a spring of water began to flow. She asked that a church be built over the Grotto. In one of the apparitions, Our Lady revealed her name to Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception”.
Over three million people visit Lourdes each year. Every year hundreds of cures are reported. They occur during the Eucharistic Processions and when people bathe in the Lourdes spring. However, the most widely attested phenomenon is the increased faith, love and patience experienced by pilgrims.
This Grotto at Marian Valley was built through the generosity of Donors and the selfless efforts of Volunteers. It was blessed on February 11th 1999.
The World Day of the Sick is observed each year on February 11th at Marian Valley. A special blessing of the sick with the Most Blessed Sacrament is carried out after Mass and Benediction.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Heath of the Sick,
Pray For Us.