People immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.[i]
Ever since the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, people have come to Lourdes, France to carry the sick to Jesus. Even today, millions visit Lourdes annually, bringing the sick from all over the world in faith, to experience the mercy of God. Pilgrims often come for physical healing, miracles, as they did in Jesus’ time. Many times they leave renewed in faith, hope, and love.
Visit Lourdes Virtually
Visit this pilgrimage site to learn more about Saint Bernadette and the apparitions. Read about the healings and miracles that have taken place at Lourdes, as well as the Medical Bureau of the Sanctuary that studies and documents these healings.
1862-2022: the 160th anniversary of the recognition of the Lourdes Apparitions
Saint Bernadette remains incorrupt
See this pilgrimage site for footage of the Shrine and of the body of Saint Bernadette, which remains incorrupt though she dies in 1879.[ii]
Incorrupt body of Bernadette Soubirous, taken between after the last exhumation (April 18, 1925) and before being stored in the current urn (July 18, 1925). The saint died on April 16, 1879, 46 years before the photo
Wounded Warriors make the Pilgrimage to Lourdes
See this powerful documentary on the annual military pilgrimage to Lourdes and hear the stories of the what these Wounded Warrior experienced on their journey. Although this is a secular production of PSB in 2015, it is well done with beautiful footage of the pilgrimage sites.
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful”
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 30th WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
Pope Francis, in his message for the 30th World Day of the Sick, chose the theme “Merciful like the Father”
The theme chosen for this 30th World Day of the Sick, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36), makes us first turn our gaze towards God, who is “rich in mercy” (Eph 2:4); he always watches over his children with a father’s love, even when they turn away from him. Mercy is God’s name par excellence; mercy, understood not as an occasional sentimental feeling but as an ever-present and active force, expresses God’s very nature. It combines strength and tenderness. For this reason, we can say with wonder and gratitude that God’s mercy embraces both fatherhood and motherhood (cf. Is 49:15). God cares for us with the strength of a father and the tenderness of a mother; he unceasingly desires to give us new life in the Holy Spirit.[iii]
Jesus is the Mercy of the Father
The supreme witness of the Father’s merciful love for the sick is his only-begotten Son. How often do the Gospels relate Jesus’ encounters with people suffering from various diseases! He “went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people” (Mt 4:23). We do well to ask ourselves why Jesus showed such great concern for the sick, so much so that he made it paramount in the mission of the apostles, who were sent by the Master to proclaim the Gospel and to heal the sick (cf. Lk 9:2).[iv]
See the Holy Father’s Message for the World Day of the Sick 2022
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE THIRTIETH WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
Image Credits:
Postcard of Lourdes published in or before 1903. WikiMedia Commons. (2013, October 27). Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Postcard_of_Lourdes_published_in_or_before_1903.jpg
PBS – Sacred Journeys – Part 1: Lourdes. YouTube. (2015, June 18). Retrieved February 9, 2022, from https://youtu.be/Ga7QTHhh3ZI
Bernadette Soubirous exhumated 1925. WikiMedia Commons. (2020, March 26). Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bernadette_soubirous_exhumated_1925.jpg Description: Incorrupt body of Bernadette Soubirous, taken between after the last exhumation (April 18, 1925) and before being stored in the current urn (July 18, 1925). The saint died on April 16, 1879, 46 years before the photo.
[i] Daily bible reading – February 7, 2022: USCCB. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
[ii] Shrine of st Bernadette Soubirous of Nevers France and Her Incorrupt Body which has not Decayed. Pilgrim. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.pilgrim-info.com/bernadette-soubirous-body-not-decayed/
[iii] MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE THIRTIETH WORLD DAY OF THE SICK, p. 1 Merciful like the Father. 30th World Day of the Sick 2022 | Francis. (2021, December 10). Retrieved February 9, 2022, from https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/sick/documents/20211210_30-giornata-malato.html
[iv] MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE THIRTIETH WORLD DAY OF THE SICK, p. 2. Jesus, the mercy of the Father. 30th World Day of the Sick 2022 | Francis. (2021, December 10). Retrieved February 9, 2022, from https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/sick/documents/20211210_30-giornata-malato.html
Posted for February 11, 2022 | 30th World Day of the Sick
