As Roman Catholics mark the Solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes on Friday, February 11, Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos said the feast serves to highlight hope, help and healing that can only come from God.
“There is hope. God is our hope. He knows our suffering and He always consoles and comforts us. With God, we will surpass all these suffering. Put your hope in God,” the bishop said.
“There is help. God is our help. God will extend His hand to help us, Open your hands to God,” Bishop Santos said.
Healing is on hand, the Church leader said.
"There is always healing. God heals. His healing is not only physical but much more spiritual. He will make us whole again, complete and united with Him. His healing is our forgiveness and salvation,” Bishops Santos said.
Meanwhile, eleven feast masses will be celebrated at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes on Kanlaon Street in Quezon City, in solemn commemoration of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, marking the 164th anniversary of the series of apparitions of the Blessed Mother to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 at the Cave of Massabielle in Lourdes, France. The first mass will be held at 6 a.m. while the last mass will be held at 9 p.m. All masses will be streamed live through the Facebook page of the shrine.
Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco will preside over the high mass at 12 noon Friday. A motorcade will be held at 5:30 p.m. Novena masses were held from February 2 to 10. The Blessing of the Sick was held on February 5 with a mass by Bishop Florentino Lavarias.
The Solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes coincides with the observance of the 30th World Day of the Sick.
In Lourdes, France, devotees and pilgrims traditionally gather at the basilica that was constructed at the site of the apparitions, as well as at the miraculous well, where healing of both the body and the spirit have been reported. The Roman Catholic Church had recognized more than 60 miraculous cures at Lourdes, a popular destination for pilgrimages, healings, and spiritual renewal.
According to stories, the Holy Mother, wearing a white dress with a blue belt, a rosary in her hands, and two golden roses at her feet, appeared to a poor and sickly girl, St. Bernadette, at least 16 times starting on Feb. 11, 1858 at the Cave of Massabielle in Lourdes. She asked her to pray the Holy Rosary for the conversion of sinners, to build a chapel on the site of the apparitions, and to drink from a spring of miraculous water nearby. The Blessed Mother introduced herself as the “Immaculate Conception.”
The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes has been celebrated worldwide since 1907, making it one of the oldest feasts in the Church calendar.