Many find the idea of a Marian Apparition strange. But, one cannot deny the biblical evidence that Mary loved to visit people. She lovingly visited her cousin Elizabeth to share her joy of new life. Mary attended the wedding at Cana. She went to see Jesus in Capernaum. She was there in Jerusalem during her son’s Passion, and approached him during His way of the cross. And she approached him on Calvary, and stood by him during his suffering. She was with the apostles, in prayer, on Pentecost.
Tradition has it that Mary appeared to the Apostle St. James on his apostolic journey to Spain, even before her bodily assumption into heaven. In her many apparitions throughout the centuries her message is basically the same: be faithful to her son, pray and work for the conversion of sinners. In other words, the Blessed Mother repeats the message she first gave at the wedding at Cana, “do whatever he tells you.”
At Lourdes, the Virgin Mary told Bernadette to pray for the conversion of sinners by praying the Rosary and meditating on the salvific events in the life of Christ. And of course, to build a chapel.
Today, more than 7 million people make a pilgrimage to this place, every year. Though Church authorities have only officially recognized about 70 miraculous cures at Lourdes, countless people have experienced healing in some way.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II, who had such a great devotion to Our Blessed Mother, designated the 11th Day of February as a World Day of Prayer for the Sick: “a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church, and reminding us to see in our sick brother and sister the face of Christ who, by suffering, dying, and rising, achieved the salvation of mankind.”
We unite ourselves in a special way today with all those who turn to God for help in their afflictions, who seek his peace and healing. May we be instruments of peace and healing for them, with Mary, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That Our Lady may protect the Church from all evil, and aid us in the mission of the Gospel.
That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all people of our nation may work together for an end to the culture of death.
That through Immaculate Mary, Queen of Peace, hatred, violence, and cruelty will cease in the world.
That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who
intercedes for us from her place in heaven.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.
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