Catholic Fire

Today, April 14, is the feast of St. Bernadette Soubirous, a mystic and visionary at Lourdes, France. St. Bernadette is the patron of: Lourdes, the poor, the sick, and people ridiculed for their piety. Born in Lourdes, France, on January 7, 1844, Bernadette was the first  child of Francois and Louise Soubirous, a poor peasant family. A severe asthma sufferer, Bernadette was such a poor student that she was unable to make her First Holy Communion until she was 14. She had many trials to contend with as a child -- poverty, health problems, which caused her to be behind in school, many responsibilities as the oldest child of six siblings, moving from one poor place to another, and a father who escaped from his financial problems by drowning them in alcohol. She was educated by the Sisters of Charity and Christian Instruction - a teaching and nursing order whose mother-house is at Nevers, in central France. The Sisters soon discovered that although Bernadette had a quiet, ...

Today is the feast of St. Bernadette Soubirous, the renowned visionary of Lourdes. Born in Lourdes, France, on January 7, 1844, Bernadette was the first child of Francois and Louise Soubirous, a poor peasant family. A severe asthma sufferer, Bernadette was such a poor student that she was unable to make her First Holy Communion until she was 14. She had many trials to contend with as a child -- poverty, health problems, which caused her to be behind in school, many responsibilities as the oldest child of six siblings, moving from one poor place to another, and a father who escaped from his financial problems by drowning them in alcohol. Her education was entrusted to the Sisters of Charity and Christian Instruction. - a teaching and nursing order whose mother-house is at Nevers, in central France. The Sisters soon discovered that although Bernadette had a quiet, modest demeanor, she had a lively sense of humor and a pleasing personality. It was to this simple 14-year-old girl...

February 10, 2013. (Romereports.com)  More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes on Monday, on the 155 anniversary of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to a young girl named Bernadette.   Organizers at Lourdes have spent the past few weeks preparing for the expected surge in pilgrims, over the course of the next few days. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary first appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette in 1858 inside a Grotto. For a period of several weeks, 18 additional apparitions followed. Some years later the Church recognized the apparitions and the shrine was built. Today, more than six million people visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes each year, making it the third most visited Marian shrine in Catholicism. All the ceremonies will also be broadcast live through TV Lourdes, the sanctuary's internet television channel.

Pope Benedict XVI's message on his visit to Lourdes: Watch a beautiful clip from gloria.TV: The Magnificat in Lourdes On a rainy night in Lourdes France, Pope Benedict XVI, Sept. 13, 2008 the Holy Father gives his final blessing and leads in singing the Salve Regina: Yesterday marked the first day of Pope Benedict XVI’s journey to France to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes. EWTN will be offering live coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic journey on their website . Watching these special addresses and masses unfold brings back wonderful memories of his recent visit to the United States and should be a great way to observe this special anniversary year. Be sure to check out great photos and video at Pope2008.com too! H/T : Lisa Hendey Related Posts: Daily Donna Marie: The Pope in France Mount Carmel Bloggers: The Papal Mass at Lourdes Rocco Palmer: At Prayer , To the Bishops , The Goal of his pilgrimage and may more at W...

“We are not going to Lourdes to find miracles, but to find the Mother’s love and true healing.” ~ Pope Benedict XVI during the Papal press conference on the flight to Paris

Some inspiring photos of our Catholic family throughout the world via Jules. Song: Here I Am Lord By: Daughter's of St.Paul

Happy Birthday, dear Holy Father! From The National Catholic Register : The Pope has received a number of birthday greetings. Yesterday, a group sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Today, at the White House, a group of the guests spontaneously launched into "Happy Birthday." Then, at the conclusion of his White House speech, the official singer sang "Happy Birthday" to him before he walked into the White House with the President. I'm sure he'll be receiving many more throughout the day. Stay tuned...we're trying to find out what the President's official gift for the Pope is. Pope Greets Thousands On His Birthday Crowds Scream, Sing 'Happy Birthday' To Pontiff Pope's Birthday At The White House - Deal Hudson, Inside Catholic Today's Papal Events 10:30 a.m. - The Holy Father meets with President Bush and the First Lady on the south lawn of the White House. 5:30 p.m. - Private prayer service and meeting with the 350 bishops of the...

Today is the feast 0f Our Lady of Lourdes and the 15th World Day of the Sick. To read the Holy Father's Message on this day, go here. Just a reminder that Catholics who, under the usual conditions, participate in prayer services for the World Day of the Sick today, February 11 — ordinarily the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes — can obtain a plenary indulgence . For details, go here. For a a virtual pilgrimage to Lourdes that explores the life of this great saint of poverty and penance – many high quality and unique photos, go here . Official Site of Lourdes Place Your Petition at the Grotto of Lourdes The 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions