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IN THIS ISSUE
From the Desk of
Fr. John Madigan, O.M.I.
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lourdes
Spring at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
It is upon us once more.
Soon enough, the trees at
the National Shrine of Our Lady of
the Snows in Belleville, Illinois, will
begin to wave their budding
branches and the bright green blades
of grass will dance playfully in the
wind. Colorful flowers will be
sprinkled throughout the grounds of
this spiritual place…a sight that can
only mean one thing: LIFE.
The fresh foliage isn’t the only sign of this; there is also new life in the activities, the celebrations, and the pilgrims that visit.
It is here that these
visitors can find hope
through many devotional
programs, time in prayer and
reflection, and Masses to celebrate
the coming of the Risen Christ.
In the message below, Fr. Greg Gallagher, O.M.I., shares his excitement of the upcoming holy season. He invites pilgrims of all ages to join him at the Shrine in the coming year – the experience may only last for a few days, but the memories will be kept for a lifetime.
Holy Week comes early this year, though late, in March. It’s a busy week at the Shrine with the Triduum, Tenebre, enactments of the Stations of the Cross. Some of these services will be done in both English and Spanish.
We also have before us not
only a Holy Week, but a holy season.
Lent, this year, includes a celebration on
February 11, the Feast of Our Lady of
Lourdes. This is the 150th Anniversary
of the Lourdes apparitions. A Forgiveness
Workshop is scheduled for March 8.
Another opportunity for Lent and for the year is to keep abreast of some of the teachings of the Church. The Shrine is glad to partner with Aquinas Institute of St. Louis for monthly round-table discussions. Speakers will be at the Shrine on the last Tuesday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A box lunch is provided. Cost is $20. The experience is priceless. Some of the topics early in the year are “Life Is Not Over,” “A Consumer’s Guide to Preaching,” and “You Meet the Nicest People through Jesus.”
The trees and shrubs will be
budding at this time, and the seedlings
and saplings ready for planting. The
greening of the grass is assured after our
late fall rains.
The National Shrine wishes
you a fruitful Lent and a joyous Easter.
Fr. Greg
Lourdes Grotto at the Shrine
Saint Bernadette taught
the world the importance of
prayer through her devotion to
Mary. Today, many pilgrims travel
to the very site where the
apparitions took place. They
come from all over to feel the
peacefulness of the special grotto,
and to bathe in the miraculous
spring that appeared there 150
years ago. These pilgrims come
to seek healing and hope through
the Holy Mother’s intercession.
A replica of this magnificent grotto stands at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Here, thousands of visitors come to honor Our Lady, just as St. Bernadette did so many years ago. This year, the Shrine will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes by celebrating nine holy nights of prayer.
During the novena,
which begins on Our Lady of
Lourdes’ feast day, February 11,
friends of the Missionary Oblates
of Mary Immaculate will be
remembered in prayer. If you
would like to know more about
burning a candle for your special
intentions either at the Shrine or
at the Lourdes Grotto in France,
please visit www.oblatesusa.org or
call 1-888-330-6264.