My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the Archdiocese of San Francisco there is a great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.  The archbishop has led many pilgrimages there.   Bishop Thomas Daly, formerly a priest in the archdiocese and now bishop of Spokane, Washington, also led many to Lourdes, especially young people.  Now we see the harvest in holy families and vocations to the priesthood. The Knights of Malta have sponsored countless pilgrimages and have also sponsored trips for those in ill health who could not otherwise go.  When I was at Nativity Parish in Menlo Park, I was deeply touched by the pilgrimages led by the pastor emeritus Msgr. Stephen Otellini with the Knights of Malta. Over the years I have met in various parishes people who give Our Lady credit for spiritual and physical healing.    Many graces have been received because of the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes.  Her motherly love is abundant and reaches out to us again and again.  

Many recall the 1943 film The Song of Bernadette which does a great job in conveying the message of the appearances.  It was based on a 1940’s book by Franz Werfel, who though a Jew, greatly benefited from the spiritual presence of Our Lady at Lourdes during the horrors of World War II.  Probably, the best book written about what happened is by Abbe Francis Trochu entitled simply Saint Bernadette Soubirous.   Though first published in 1956, it remains a great source on what really happened there in 1858, beginning on February 11^th.  We will have the Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes on Tuesday, February 11 at 8:15an,

Though the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was solemnly proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, the visions confirmed that Mary is the Immaculate Conception.  After all this time we see more clearly that the apparitions draw a dramatic contrast between kneeling before God or kneeling before the world.  Her message is that of the gospel: repent and be saved.   The great are the innocent, humble, pure, kind, holy and loving souls, who simply witness to the light of Christ by living in the light of Christ reflected in Mary, our Mother.    This message cannot be extinguished.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Queen of Peace, our special patroness, pray for us.