The apparitions at Lourdes
The apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous took place at the grotto of Massabielle in 1858. Bishop Laurence of Tarbes formally recognized them on January 18, 1862.
Sanctuary of Lourdes: recognition of the apparitions (historical reference)
Recourse to our Mother
Secondly, it is tender, that is to say, full of confidence in the Most Blessed Virgin, like a child’s confidence in its good mother. It causes a soul to have recourse to her in all its needs of body and mind with great simplicity, confidence, and tenderness; it implores the aid of its good Mother at all times, in all places, and in all things: in its doubts, to be enlightened; in its strayings, to be set right; in its temptations, to be upheld; in its weaknesses, to be strengthened; in its falls, to be raised up; in its discouragements, to be heartened; in its scruples, to be freed of them; in its crosses, toils, and adversities of life, to be consoled. Finally, in all its ills of body and mind, Mary is its ordinary recourse, without fear of importuning this good Mother or of displeasing Jesus Christ.
Saint Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, §107 (excerpt)
Contemplate with Mary
And in having recourse to Mary, it will be best to beg her to ask for us, and to obtain for us those graces which she knows to be most expedient for our salvation.
Pray with the saints
O SORROWFUL Virgin, O soul great in virtues and great also in sorrows, since both these and those spring from that great fire of love which you bear to God, while your heart can love nothing but God: Ah Mother, have pity on me, who have not loved God, and have so greatly offended him. Your sorrows give me great confidence to hope for pardon. But this is not enough for me: I wish to love my Lord; and who else can better obtain this for me than you, who are the Mother of fair love? Ah Mary, you console all; console me too. Amen.
St. Alphonsus de Liguori · The Glories of Mary · The Sixth Sorrow, prayerLet love become an act
Use the prayer of offering to entrust the sick to Jesus through Mary.
Pray for the sickThe apparition and its witnesses
Read the full account of Our Lady of Lourdes, with its history, the words preserved by the witnesses, and the call to prayer.
Keep the celebration
- February 11, 2026Optional Memorial
- February 11, 2027Commemoration
- February 11, 2028Optional Memorial
Dates shown follow the United States Roman Calendar for 2026–2028. A celebration can be transferred, omitted, or observed with a different rank because of precedence. Open the day for its principal liturgy and permitted choices.