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IN THIS ISSUE
From the Desk of
Fr. John Madigan, O.M.I.
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lourdes
Dear Friends,
As you will read in this issue of Oblates Magazine, there are some extraordinary things happening in 2008. Perhaps the most exciting news is that this year marks the 150th Anniversary of the magnificent apparitions in Lourdes, France. What’s more amazing is that Our Lady’s message of faith, hope, and love is as significant today as it was in 1858.
By the time you receive this, I should be on my way to Lourdes to join my fellow Oblates in celebrating the Jubilee feast day and to pray for our dear friends and supporters. I am so excited for the opportunity to visit the beautiful and sacred Shrine in Lourdes and, rest assured, you will be in my prayers when I visit the grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette.
In honor of this great anniversary, I would like to send you a very special gift! When you offer a donation in support of our ministries using the enclosed form, you may request to receive a bottle of Genuine Lourdes Water from the miraculous spring in Lourdes. I hope it will help you celebrate and honor Our Lady of Lourdes during this glorious 150th Jubilee year.
You will also read in this issue, that this year marks an incredible
1,575th Anniversary of St. Patrick’s return to Ireland. What a blessed year
this will be! I hope you will enjoy all the wonderful stories in this issue and
I hope our featured articles will help inspire you and those you love. In
gracious thanks, my fellow Oblates and I will be remembering you and yours
in our prayers throughout this blessed new year.
In the love of Our Savior,
Fr. John Madigan, O.M.I.
Oblate Director
P.S. I received so many inquiries regarding the Catholic Church’s position on marriage annulments. We will write an article about this in the coming year.