O Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us!

"​The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning has come, the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come: my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall." (Gradual).

THANKFUL for the blessings our Lord dispenses to us through the hands and heart of His loving Mother, we celebrate today the feast of the apparition of our Lady at Lourdes.

LADY OF LOURDES 

​Untouched by Adam's curse - our Mary's soul! Like great bell tones the Pontiff's edict rings - ​While every heart on earth re-sounds the word, And all earth sings.

Comely she stands before a shy young girl
Who tells her Ave, trembling to await
The bright air broken by a word -
"I am Immaculate!"

​O happy cave, majestic rock that felt
Her feet press lightly as they do in dream,
Whence waters brimmed with healing break their source,
And with life, stream.

From every countryside and city square
A troop of pilgrims crowds upon the way:
Some come to kneel in child-eyed wonderment, Some come to pray.

​She dries her children's tears as mothers do,
And pours a draught of grace from
prayer-cupped hands,
That each may journey back​ refreshed and glad
To better lands.

O Virgin, let thy fleet compassion's spark
Light up the murky paths we stumble on;
Give us the warmth of thy embrace when earth's
Cold pain is gone.

All song and glory to our Father rise
And to the Christhead (Mary's Only Son!)
With Their swift Spirit winged with love for Both,
Three-always-One!

Sister M. Therese. 1947.

O GOD, You prepared a fitting dwelling place for Your Son by preserving the Blessed Virgin immaculate at the moment of her conception. Grant health of mind and body to all of us who celebrate the feast of Blessed Mary's apparition today. Through Christ, our Lord.