ARTICLES

Our Lady of Lourdes to celebrate 150th anniversary of apparitions in France

Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Richmond will be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes, France during a Week of Celebration, Prayer, and Reflection beginning Monday, Feb. 4, and culminating with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Monday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m.

The Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, a young girl, 18 times from Feb. 11, 1858 to July 16 of that year.

Bernadette is said to have been told by Mary to begin digging in the ground and she did so obediently, much to the scorn of the local people.

Water immediately began to flow from the spot where Bernadette had dug and it grew from a small stream to the size of a small river.

Thousands of healings have been reported over the past 150 years as the result of bathing in or drinking the water which is said to have miraculous powers.

The week at the Richmond parish will open Monday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. with Taize Prayer honoring Mary in an hour of prayer, song, scripture and reflection.

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) will open on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. with Evening Prayer, followed by a Mardi Gras celebration at 6:30 featuring “King Cake” dessert.

Ash Wednesday will have Mass at 8:30 a.m. with distribution of ashes then and again at 7 p.m. that night.

On Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. the Rosary will be said, led by the Legion of Mary of Our Lady of Lourdes parish.                       

On Friday, Feb. 8, there will be a Lenten fish fry dinner from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by Stations of the Cross “Through the Eyes of Mary” at 7 p.m. There will be presentation of a tour of the Shrine at Lourdes, France at 7:30 p.m,.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, the Rosary will be said at 4:45 p.m., followed by “Hymn Sing” of Marian music led by the Our Lady of Lourdes parish choir at 5 p.m.           

On Sunday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. there will be a Tour and Commentary on the Marian windows in the commons. There will then be rededication of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto outside the church.

On Sunday night at 7 p.m. Father Mark Lane, diocesan Vicar for Clergy, will speak on “Mary in Art Through the Ages.”

The Mass on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes will include the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. This will be followed by a reception in the commons.

For more information, call the parish office at 804–262–7315.

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