Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

5 Fascinating Facts About the Apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes

Posted on February 11, 2025 in: News

5 Fascinating Facts About the Apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes

On Feb. 11, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In Lourdes, France, in 1858, 13-year-old Bernadette Soubirous was collecting pieces of wood as part of her daily chores when she noticed a startling wind and rustling sound. The noise came from a nearby grotto. When Bernadette looked toward it, she saw it filled with a golden light and a beautiful lady.

It was at this grotto that the Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette 18 times and where millions of Catholic pilgrims visit the healing waters at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Records have been kept from the exchanges between Bernadette and our Blessed Mother. Here are five of the most fascinating facts about the apparitions that took place at the grotto:

1. Paralysis 

When Bernadette first saw the beautiful lady in the grotto during the first apparition, on Feb. 11, 1858, it is said that she immediately smiled at Bernadette and signaled to her to come closer, in the same way a mother motions to her child. Bernadette took out her rosary and knelt before the Lady, who also had a rosary on her right arm. When Bernadette tried to begin saying the rosary by making the sign of the cross, her arm was paralyzed. It was only after the Lady made the sign of the cross herself that Bernadette was able to do the same. The Lady remained silent as Bernadette prayed the rosary, but the beads of her rosary passed between her fingers. 

2. The secret prayer

During the fifth apparition, which took place on Feb. 20, 1858, the Lady taught Bernadette a prayer, which she recited every day for the rest of her life. She never revealed the prayer to anyone, but she did say she was told to always bring a blessed candle with her. This is why candles perpetually burn at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. 

3. The Lady shares her name

At the 16th apparition, on March 25, 1858, the feast of the Annunciation, the Lady revealed her identity to Bernadette, calling herself the “Immaculate Conception.”

4. The burn of fire

Bernadette never forgot to bring a lighted candle to the grotto since she was told to do so by the Lady. During the 17th apparition, on April 7, 1858, Bernadette unconsciously placed one of her hands over the burning flame. Witnesses saw the flame burning through her fingers, and yet she was able to pray for 15 minutes with the flame burning her hand. As she emerged from her prayer, she was unscathed and didn’t even notice cries of horror from the people in the crowd. Dr. Pierre Romaine Dozous, a well-known physician from Lourdes, took another lit candle and, without warning, placed the flame to her hand. Bernadette immediately cried out in pain.

5. The miracle of Bernadette’s body

After the apparitions ended, Bernadette went on to become a Sister of Charity. She died at age 34 on April 16, 1879. She was buried on the convent grounds in Nevers, France. Thirty years later, on Sept. 22, 1909, her body was exhumed and found completely intact. A second exhumation took place on April 3, 1919. The body was found in the exact same state as it had been 10 years earlier. Bernadette was canonized a saint on Dec. 8, 1933, by Pope Pius XI.

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

This story was first published on Feb. 11, 2022 by the Catholic News Aganecy, and has been updated.

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Clergy Appointments

Posted on July 09, 2025 in: News, Vocations

956

Clergy Appointments
July 3, 2025 The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, has made the following clergy and diocesan appointments in the Diocese of Norwich   DIOCESAN APPOINTMENT Rev. Msgr. Leszek T. Janik, JCL, Vicar General of the Diocese of Norwich, while continuing as Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Norwichtown, and Saint Joseph Church, Norwich. Effective: June 5, 2025. Very Rev. Ted Tumicki, STL, JCL, Judicial Vicar for the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Norwich. Effective: June 5, 2025.   CLERGY APPOINTMENT Reverend Francis Gi...

Read More

5 Ways to Sanctify Your Summer Vacation and Evangelize
With the arrival of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, many people take a vacation, a period of rest away from their routine but also a unique opportunity to reconnect with their faith. A bishop, a mother, and a priest shared some tips from their own experiences for “sanctifying vacations” and evangelizing at vacation spots.   1. Take time to connect with God. Speaking with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, the bishop of Matamoros-Reynosa in Mexico, Eugenio Lira, emphasized that summer is a time of rest to “recreate&rd...

Read More

Pope Leo Meets with Supreme Knight, Supreme Chaplain
As the United States celebrated Independence Day last week, Pope Leo XIV received Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore in a private audience at the Vatican. The July 4 audience was the first meeting of the U.S.-born pope with the leader of the Knights of Columbus and the chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which in 1789 became the first diocese in the United States. During their visit, the supreme knight and supreme chaplain pledged the Order’s loyalty to Pope Leo and promised ongoing prayers and support...

Read More

Parishes Need to Launch 'Revolution of Care' for the Elderly, Pope Says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV called on every parish and church group or association to become part of a "revolution" of care and gratitude by regularly visiting older people. "Christian hope always urges us to be more daring, to think big, to be dissatisfied with things the way they are," the pope wrote in his message for World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, a church celebration that will take place July 27. "In this case, it urges us to work for a change that can restore the esteem and affection to which the elderly are entitled,&...

Read More

Looking Forward with Gratitude for What Has Been
Editor’s Note After nearly ten years of ministry with the Diocese of Norwich, our dear colleague Mary-Jo McLaughlin has entered retirement. While she may be stepping away from her day-to-day role, she is not stepping away from us entirely. I’m happy to share that she will continue writing her beloved Marriage Matters column, bringing her insight and compassion to our readers in the months ahead. In the following reflection, Mary-Jo shares her heartfelt gratitude for the journey she’s been on—and the faith that continues to guide her. It’s...

Read More

Notre-Dame Cathedral Welcomes More Than 6 Million Visitors Since Reopening
Notre-Dame de Paris (French for “Our Lady of Paris”), also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral or simply Notre-Dame, is among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world. | Credit: Sam valadi, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons   Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has become the most visited place in France. Since reopening its doors last December after a 2019 fire, it has welcomed more than 6 million people. On April 15, 2019, the French capital witnessed one of the most devastating tragedies in its recent history. Its iconic cathedral &mdash...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Looking Forward with Gratitude for What Has Been
In Memoriam: Sr. Eileen Smith, DHS (1921–2025)
Calendar of Parish Events from Around the Diocese
Notre-Dame Cathedral Welcomes More Than 6 Million Visitors Since Reopening
Bishop Reidy to Take Part in Annual Stonington Blessing of the Fleet
5 Ways to Sanctify Your Summer Vacation and Evangelize
Pope Leo Meets with Supreme Knight, Supreme Chaplain
Clergy Appointments
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294