Our Lady of Lourdes: A Message of Humility, Healing, and Hope

Each year on February 11, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This day invites us to reflect on Mary’s gentle presence, God’s care for the poor and humble, and the hope of healing offered to the world.

The Story of Lourdes

In 1858, in the small town of Lourdes in southern France, the Virgin Mary appeared to a 14-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous. Bernadette was poor, often sick, and largely ignored by society. Yet it was to her, not to the powerful or well-educated, that Mary chose to appear.

Over the course of 18 apparitions at a rocky grotto called Massabielle, Mary spoke simply and lovingly to Bernadette. She asked for prayer, especially the rosary, and for penance. During one of these appearances, Mary instructed Bernadette to dig in the ground. From that spot, a spring of water began to flow, water that would later become associated with countless stories of healing.

When Mary finally revealed her identity, she did so with words that echoed deeply in the life of the Church: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” This confirmed a doctrine that had only recently been declared and showed, once again, that God reveals great truths through humble means.

A Place of Healing

Today, Lourdes is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. Millions of people travel there each year, many of them sick, elderly, or searching for peace. While not everyone who visits experiences physical healing, many speak of spiritual healing, renewed faith, comfort in suffering, and a deep sense of God’s closeness.

Because of this strong connection to healing, February 11 is also observed by the Church as the World Day of the Sick. On this day, we are especially called to pray for those who are ill, for caregivers, and for all who feel forgotten or burdened by suffering.

Mary’s Message Today

The message of Our Lady of Lourdes is not locked in the past. It continues to speak to us today.

God sees the humble. Bernadette had little by the world’s standards, yet God entrusted her with an extraordinary mission. Lourdes reminds us that every person has dignity and value.

Prayer matters. Mary’s call to prayer and conversion is simple but powerful. Small, faithful prayers offered with love can change hearts.

Suffering is not meaningless. Lourdes does not promise a life without pain, but it does promise that God is present in suffering and that healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, is possible.

Celebrating the Feast Day

On the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, we can honor Mary in many ways. We can pray the rosary, light a candle for someone who is sick, attend Mass, or simply take a quiet moment to ask for her intercession. It is also a beautiful day to practice compassion by checking in on someone who may be struggling or offering kindness where it is needed most.

May this feast day renew our trust in God’s mercy and inspire us to be instruments of healing and hope for others. Find our selection of Our Lady of Lourdes & St. Bernadette devotional items here.