tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36499524409068752232024-03-13T15:56:21.111+00:00The Dreamer's Day'If only you knew the beautiful things I had seen there' Saint BernadetteSQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-45933285737671439152014-04-22T02:01:00.002+01:002014-04-22T02:01:56.277+01:00Returning from illnessPrayers are a wonderful, beautiful lifeline and we should never be told otherwise. In a world where we face the argument that religion is a source of absolute corruption and people of faith lack logic, we should never be afraid to assert our right to pray. I will not tell you the details of my suffering last year; partly because, in the grand scheme of things, it was small compared to that of others. Also, this does not feel like the place to recount my physical woes. I can tell you that there was deep physical pain, hours of darkness and times when it felt as though the rest of life was on the other side of a perspex screen and I could see it happening, but I could not reach it. I wept and I looked to heaven and I asked God to stay with me. At times that was the only prayer I could manage, but that was also my thread, my hope. It kept me stitched to the fabric of life. Alone as we can be in our suffering, sad and desolate as I was, I knew I was not alone in a room. Jesus Christ knows our pain.<br />
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In June my illness reached a particular crisis and at one time there was talk of my heart beginning to fail. I went to a priest friend to be anointed. This sacrament is a very great gift. I was given strength and there was no immediate remedy or cure, but there was affirmation of his company and truth beside me. I walked home that night in the knowledge that God is with us.<br />
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<pre style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 9pt;">“Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”
― Teresa of Ávila</pre>
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It took time. Things are ongoing, but from the time I was anointed onwards improvements which I could not have envisaged in the days, weeks and months before began to take place and it was like coming home to a body I recognised. My illness came quite suddenly and swept away my health, recovery takes longer. Yet the more my body has been battered and shown me it can recover from this bit by bit, the more convinced I become of the link between body and soul. The pain of one marks the other and we walk with our wounds. The sacraments are our balm and where we meet Christ most closely is on the cross.<br />
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I do not want to suffer. As St Thomas More said "I am not the stuff that saints are made of". Suffering makes me afraid. Yet I know it also made me grow. Sometimes we only remember what the value of life is when it feels we are being locked out and we can see all the beauty within. God is so good: he does not give us more than we can bear.<br />
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What do I do with my experiences now? How do I live by them and how do I serve God through them? The truth is that I do not know, but I start by returning here to tell you a little of them in the hope that some might still wish to listen to the voice of this weary but grateful traveller.<br />
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I started this blog when I was 24 and full of so many ideas; so much idealism and hope of love. Life changes us. Those elements are not gone. I hope some of them have been realised and others have been tempered and absorbed by other elements of life. I turned 30 this month and there is much to be hopeful and excited about in life and in faith. God is real. He is here and we can always reach him if we are willing to stretch out a hand and let the goodness come from Him to us (Matthew 9:20).<br />
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Thank you to all who prayed for me. Thank you for remembering me in an hour of need. I needed you.SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-7338213158179699542013-02-07T18:48:00.002+00:002013-02-07T18:48:58.858+00:00A request for prayersIt is such a long time since I have written any posts but I wondered if I might ask for your prayers for me. I have been diagnosed with an illness and your prayers would be so much appreciated. I am in the hands of the good Lord and to Him I offer all my sorrows and joys but please pray that I may receive the graces I need for the journey ahead. I think I may need some help to embrace my cross. I am very fortunate to be supported by people of faith who I love and love me. There has been so many generous and gracious gifts to me in my 28 years. Please do, if you can and if you are willing, pray that will of the Lord will work through my treatment. His will be done.SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-18794188512258622462011-12-26T22:53:00.003+00:002011-12-26T23:06:28.020+00:00The star and the discerning heart (Happy Christmas!)I know that my blogging has gone beyond sporadic to rare. For much of this year I shut down my blog. I feel I still haven't given the explanation you deserve as to why this was. Suffice to say I have been experiencing the most considerable period of discernment of my life. I do want to share more but I feel I need more time to reflect upon how to share it. Equally, I am not at the end of this period at the moment. Perhaps I never will be.<div><br /></div><div>Christmas is a good time to consider the journey one is making in life and faith. It is the rhythm of returning to the crib and looking back on the path one has taken there. In looking at Mary and Joseph one cannot help but feel humbled in faith. How great was the journey they made in faith and grace on all levels? How much they must have both wandered and wondered amidst the will of God. Yet we gaze upon them in a static scene, just a snapshot of a real life of movement, of fleeing of sorrow and protection on the road of life. How great their journey and how great its capacity to keep me on mine. We cannot always see the road ahead but in trying to hold onto the goodness of faith, even in our weakness and doubt, the way ahead will always be lit; illuminated before us. We cannot know the shape ahead of us but we can know that there is light.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish you all a peaceful and holy Christmas. I assure you of my prayers and my thanks for all that fellow bloggers write.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the love of Christ.</div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-68185178758538170452011-09-27T17:22:00.003+01:002011-09-27T17:32:14.505+01:00BEHOLDING AND LOOKING BACKSometimes you can carry something with you for a long time without really understanding it. I suppose that has been my experience in the long break I have had from writing on this blog. I have been entering a different phase of life. Perhaps if anybody is still reading this then I might, in time, talk about this journey in more detail.<br /><br />In some ways it has been a retreat into examining a more interior life of the spirit in which I felt there was little room for me to comment on anything. I just needed to be still and listen. I just needed to be led. Of course I still need these things in hope and prayer but perhaps I feel that it is possible for me to return to the keyboard again. To come down from the mountain.<br /><br />A word has been with me all summer. BEHOLD. I don't know why or whether it relates to anything specific. Yet I felt it, held it, in Lourdes and Madrid, when in the presence of those I love. In many ways perhaps that is all we need to do sometimes. We can search so hard for things that we forget to behold what is on front of us. Sometimes that will be obviously profound and extraordinary like the grotto at Lourdes or Pope Benedict. Sometimes it will simply be the face of another person, someone who you are so glad that God loved into existence. At the centre of it all is the host, as it rises from the altar because all of this life is contained within this moment. Equally all vocation is contained within that body. BEHOLD. The bridegroom. Just seek to look at the Lord who is always looking back at you and in doing so the heart of your relationship grows stronger and you can begin to respond.<br /><br />Peace be with you.SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-83560760777044474782011-08-26T14:46:00.005+01:002011-08-26T14:55:53.693+01:00WORLD YOUTH DAY<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y5TFlCWgQya506BMEeO-E0EFSCVNBGbKPGfcutjpveei5wjPtbHPNC8f7ZjtRwDwCVIFEszFjIBUshyphenhyphen360DtIy9XzUkyuQH0tNSPNIMuyGuD6z-9TPRUcL2BTHFEaGk-Vh6KC304df4n/s1600/923_0634.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y5TFlCWgQya506BMEeO-E0EFSCVNBGbKPGfcutjpveei5wjPtbHPNC8f7ZjtRwDwCVIFEszFjIBUshyphenhyphen360DtIy9XzUkyuQH0tNSPNIMuyGuD6z-9TPRUcL2BTHFEaGk-Vh6KC304df4n/s320/923_0634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645162899445813042" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpCwk51rU8ZID6OuR5dyk1Ii5TzJdJztCc77shJlrSqSWr2bud-HU-90yvTKNfV4UZvHqdCzVWiZtUk6Fp9g8_h5408JjyI4HzrosvGKopdzllyKXdxtGbIUnfM_5iCN-uvXm2ixvFqmj/s1600/923_0633.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpCwk51rU8ZID6OuR5dyk1Ii5TzJdJztCc77shJlrSqSWr2bud-HU-90yvTKNfV4UZvHqdCzVWiZtUk6Fp9g8_h5408JjyI4HzrosvGKopdzllyKXdxtGbIUnfM_5iCN-uvXm2ixvFqmj/s320/923_0633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645162639340676306" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X_KA22DHufpPMNBBf4wtGg35rgJ_Fnv4G0AxSEYaBeyTocHPkhBgwm9IcjZgusS-JVfw8mDXSdmqgFiJjjU19ftluEE02dCJym3BeLdeoUXsIUpen4tUtm1_RA9dhtfAhOPsCFzVnrcf/s1600/923_0623.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X_KA22DHufpPMNBBf4wtGg35rgJ_Fnv4G0AxSEYaBeyTocHPkhBgwm9IcjZgusS-JVfw8mDXSdmqgFiJjjU19ftluEE02dCJym3BeLdeoUXsIUpen4tUtm1_RA9dhtfAhOPsCFzVnrcf/s320/923_0623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645162338394562386" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVKxz3quC7BOpULbf_RiWcyWYGEP1yWV4dbpn28aV3mBN6pmWUMgMVXjRrTZDCtRyi2NAc36Kc4goTJipjhEg7qL4QHfPTkDpqyUzXV-fL74iUnXKsKupRsnBSMUqWRUAQqkIPVXhwBjJ/s1600/923_0606.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVKxz3quC7BOpULbf_RiWcyWYGEP1yWV4dbpn28aV3mBN6pmWUMgMVXjRrTZDCtRyi2NAc36Kc4goTJipjhEg7qL4QHfPTkDpqyUzXV-fL74iUnXKsKupRsnBSMUqWRUAQqkIPVXhwBjJ/s320/923_0606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645161896338632034" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-MNwM6_IRAWv1XaX_Ot1u_sS2pjlBaibVwQUYXV4Yi9xnLWFPR7TWoDusLYy1ZyNKnqIjmqbk81-XtX_JdpyxltXULZc9Saj6OQnQGQURd37pRM_I1nSzQCoY_964KqLdYhcLl1flSuK/s1600/923_0608.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-MNwM6_IRAWv1XaX_Ot1u_sS2pjlBaibVwQUYXV4Yi9xnLWFPR7TWoDusLYy1ZyNKnqIjmqbk81-XtX_JdpyxltXULZc9Saj6OQnQGQURd37pRM_I1nSzQCoY_964KqLdYhcLl1flSuK/s320/923_0608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645161048080454194" /></a>The spirit and life in Madrid remains with me. Our Church is alive and its heartbeat is joy. No matter what the press may report, it is not possible to deny the love that flowed through the streets for those few days. I hold a deep sense of gratitude for the city of Madrid for allowing the love of Christ, love of Benedict and love for one another to be so present. <div>
<br /></div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-75074041136361905382011-07-13T18:38:00.003+01:002011-07-13T18:50:43.436+01:00Opening UpDear All,<div><br /></div><div>It has been a very long time since I have written anything on my faithful blog. I felt I needed a break during a particular period of discernment in my life and I hope you will forgive the silence. Much has happened but I have kept you in my prayers. I think I have lost a few followers along the way but perhaps they might pop back in to say hello now I have reopened for business. I don't think I will be posting as frequently I used to but I hope to at least open former posts for viewing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am due to return to Lourdes in a week and a half and anyone who was used to following this blog will know that this is the favourite place of my thirsting soul and longing heart. Perhaps I can let you know how it goes. Be assured of prayers in the month of the sacred heart.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-77650704992166272312010-11-01T00:02:00.001+00:002010-11-01T00:04:03.723+00:00I'M JUST TAKING A SHORT BREAK FROM BLOG WRITINGBEAR WITH ME. I'M JUST ON A BREAK. GOD BLESS. SQUELLYSQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-26045430048974847542010-07-21T23:27:00.006+01:002010-07-21T23:35:21.087+01:00Hanging out with KeatsI have always had a soft spot for the poetry of John Keats and some of his letters. His life was a short one and certainly not one in which he came to a definite decision about a belief in God. However, some wisdom did certainly filter through his sensitive soul. I was just reading andI liked it and wanted to share: <div><br /></div><div>"Do you not see how necessary a world of pain and troubles is to school the intelligence and make it a soul?" </div><div><br /></div><div>In a way I think this is true. Any suffering is certainly an evil but, in our case, through the hope offered by the ultimate suffering we find ourselves coming closer to truth and the truth of love. Dearest St. Bernadette and so many countless others knew this better than anybody.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-88797035276940511462010-07-21T13:25:00.012+01:002010-07-21T20:01:38.714+01:00Getting excited about the Pope in Britain!I found out today that I have got one of the allotted tickets to see the Pope (I was on the reserve list before). Even though I've been off the blogging circuit (largely for reasons beyond my control) for a while now I know that word will have got round about the hostility of some of my fellow countrymen towards Benedict. However, of course what is not reported in the press is the swathes of people and indeed young people (Catholic and non-Catholic) who are curious, interested, excited and enthused about his visit. This is an important historical event for the country, something that goes someway to forging some healing of rifts that have existed in this country since the Reformation. Obviously, there are always those few who do not want rifts to be healed and because they are often deemed more interesting to listen to, they are often the few that get heard.<div><br /></div><div>Over these last few months I have attended various events for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">twentysomethings</span> in which nothing but delight was expressed about Benedict's visit. Some people have been afraid that showing support for Benedict may be looked at in such a negative light that they were worried about how to approach the topic at work. Vincent Nichols has been very good at buoyingspirits at events I have been to recently. The truth is, with all the controversy and the desire to cause controversy, at the end of the day peace is stronger and Benedict is full of peace. Perhaps all that those who look to cause rifts will cause, is a sense of a renewed strength and solidarity in those who want to show that peace is stronger.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heart to heart. </div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-26935660479286481432010-06-04T00:11:00.002+01:002010-06-04T00:16:35.343+01:00A great witness to life<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6QfKCGTfn3o&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6QfKCGTfn3o&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div><div><br /></div><div>H/T <a target="_blank" href="http://apostolate-of-the-laity.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); ">APOSTOLATE OF THE LAITY </a></div></span>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-2169085995840088482010-05-30T13:49:00.006+01:002013-06-06T22:52:44.526+01:00Happy Trinity Sunday!Happy Holy Trinity Sunday! The great mysteries of our faith continue to astound me. I blundered into a confirmation mass last Sunday and it was one of great peace and beauty. It is easy to forget that the Holy Spirit is always moving, even if you can't see the fire quite as clearly as Peter- you can still feel it. I haven't had as much of a chance to blog as I would like in these couple of months and I have felt the loss of it. I have been trying to make some important decisions and listen very carefully to the Lord as I decide whether to take a year to teach in a community in need next year (September 2011) I have been teaching now for 5 years and I do love my job but I also want to give some more time to God and give a short time in service. I think this is probably the least that I can do for Him and I am well aware I will probably receive far more than I could ever give.<br />
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I have felt the need to be very still and reflect a little over the last few months. I feel providence is working through those I have met and although the press has been giving the Church a ritual battering for all sorts of things, it is important to remember that for all the ill there really are just some amazing people in our Church. I'm not talking about the lauded heroes or great saints - (though obviously we are proud and deeply in need of the communion of saints and our great martyrs) I'm just talking about the people we meet on the ground level who love God and see him in others. There is so much to be joyful about. Speaking of joys I haven't made to Lourdes this year, I will wait to see if the good Lady gives me the chance to go back. If not then I shall think back joyfully over the blessings I have had while there and be so very thankful for them.</div>
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On Trinity Sunday one realises that in every aspect of our God there is hope and a different way of communicating with us, his people. I am hopeful that we can listen. </div>
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Even when I go a little quiet always be assured of my prayers for all your intentions, especially today when we celebrate the greatness of our God and His sensitivity to all aspects of our being as well as all aspects of his.</div>
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Peace be with you!</div>
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<br />SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-23998971029244048012010-04-16T14:01:00.004+01:002010-04-16T14:25:44.493+01:00The anniversary of St. Bernadette<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1PxVEL3hmAwy4g_jGtVr12aU3ZZkDMM9_SxmuyLxzHVd3JR-6NWQRqRaAlVMzgbbAsQnfdW1UxW6c4GV8N2vjuiNyR02ae5fogOP_Mfe-w889KGjetF1DSVPjgZTmLq_15_F_NWZS7Ma/s1600/bernyoung1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1PxVEL3hmAwy4g_jGtVr12aU3ZZkDMM9_SxmuyLxzHVd3JR-6NWQRqRaAlVMzgbbAsQnfdW1UxW6c4GV8N2vjuiNyR02ae5fogOP_Mfe-w889KGjetF1DSVPjgZTmLq_15_F_NWZS7Ma/s320/bernyoung1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460723783180524770" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Bernadette died at three o'clock in the afternoon on the first Wednesday after Easter. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Sister Nathalie, a Sister of Charity of Nevers gives this account: "Toward three o'clock in the afternoon she seemed in the grip of inexpressible interior anguish. The sisters in the infirmary were alarmed and fetched holy water which they sprinkled over her while suggesting pious invocations to her. She took hold of her crucifix, contemplated it with love, then slowly kissed Christ's wounds, one by one."</span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In the hour of Christ's death Bernadette raised her arms in a cross and cried out "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me, poor sinner, poor sinner ..."</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">Bernadette had been told at the grotto many years before that she would not be happy in this world but in the other. She had taken this to heart and she never took it for granted. Her life was one of suffering and giving. Bernadette did not always find life easy but she gave herself completely to her vocation and gave up her beloved Lourdes. Her body remains a visible witness to faith in</span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqujO1h10CgdbYzDg6haCFucq3Q4skD0ICkXBFWvYFxIQr3zlnmgfmD1IwwHW8DOy2IWzH-gK9U8b_zu2cUm6tOmj3jdFu3o8G6_7L0hfP8uiITK-4chjVAg-rXWvOqPWQ5vu405-dBni/s320/101_1711.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460724284081522738" /><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"> Nevers.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Prayer to St. Bernadette</span></div><div><br /></div>Bernadette, you have long sought the Lord where he called you to.<div>You asked. You listened. You trusted.</div><div>You were sure the Lord would guide you.</div><div>You surrendered yourself completely in the hands of God.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Like Mary you are confidant</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Bernadette,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Inspire in me the same confidence, the same generosity and patience.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Lord, enlighten me on my path</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">And give me strength to say "yes"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">when I hear your call.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div>Bernadette, you intensely desired the Eucharist,</div><div>You had done everything to receive communion</div><div>in the Body of Christ,</div><div>You loved to adore the Blessed Sacrament,</div><div>You united your life living in the offering,</div><div>that of Christ at the alter.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Like Mary, the Woman of the Eucharist</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Bernadette,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Inspire in me the same hunger for the Eucharist, the food,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">presence and sacrifice.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Lord, you have given us your Son,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">the living and eternal Bread.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">That the Eucharist transforms my life to be a </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">perpetual act of thanksgiving.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Bernadette, you always enjoyed serving others,</div><div>On 11th of February, the Virgin appeared to you when you</div><div>were fetching wood.</div><div>Among sisters, you learned to treat the sick and</div><div>residents of the hospice</div><div>Later, in Nevers, you were an excellent nurse,</div><div>offering an attentive and intelligent in charity.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Like Mary, who saw the family's needs, in Cana.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Bernadette,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Inspire in me the same generosity and the same faith</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">to see that Christ is present in each one</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Lord, you have given us brothers and sisters to love.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">That our eyes, our hands and our hearts are open</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">to all those that you put in our way.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Bernadette, your faith has grown in the Church.</div><div>The Church, it was your family, your church,</div><div>your religious community.</div><div>Bravely, you went to tell the priests to hold a procession</div><div>and to build a chapel.</div><div>Once your mission was accomplished,</div><div>you retreated in silence and humility.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Like Mary, in this day of Pentecost and then silence.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Bernadette,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">Inspire in me the same love of the Church:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">I trust that it will support me in my prayer.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Lord, you give everyone a place in your Church.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Let me answer my vocation with the same simplicity</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">and the same generosity as Bernadette.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Amen!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div>(Copyright Service Creation- Sanctuaries Notre-Dame de Lourdes)</div><div><br /></div><div>This time last year I was fortunate enough to be in Lourdes on this day and little mention was made of Bernadette there. Her humility and recognition that she was simply a courier of messages at Lourdes mean that she is rarely the focus there. This, I think, would have pleased her. She is, of course, of great importance to the place but you often have to seek her out if you really want to understand her. So many people do. For me, for countless millions of others whether Catholic or not Bernadette is a powerhouse of strength, love and faith at its best.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pray for us St. Bernadette!</div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"></span><p></p>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-82663840185766862852010-04-04T22:09:00.004+01:002010-04-04T22:31:57.407+01:00Happy Easter!So, what happened to the girl who used to write this blog? Excellent question! It has been weeks since I have sat down to write a proper post. Well, if you had noticed I was gone, - I'm back. It seems like an appropriate day to stage a return.<div><br /></div><div>It is very easy to get caught up in a series of "busy nothings" in life or, worse still, allow your life to become that series of busy nothings- there have been times recently when I felt like either or both of these were the case. I have been fighting against this fear of "busy nothings" in these weeks of Lent, like so many others, trying to maintain a sense of peace and prayer in my life amidst endless deadlines. It is definitely not always as easy as it seems. However, here we are on Easter Sunday and I feel, looking back I can only now see clearly the graces I have been given in these last six weeks of preparation. Perhaps part of the experience of Lent is battling to find the meaning and truth of all we experience in the weeks leading up to Easter. Things which seemed like mere distraction can give those stolen moments of reflection greater meaning and strength when they do come. When they don't come, perhaps our longing for them has some value too. Lent is that period of "lengthening" of longing for hope and peace and relationship with Him - the Lord we might only catch glimpses of in this life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now Easter is here I am overwhelmed, as always, by its beauty and its light. My words are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">inadequate. But we all know that really trying to understand the mystery is the work of a lifetime. Its good to be back reading posts though, sharing that work with you all. As I watched the Urbi et Orbi today I was struck by that thought, how close we all are in our faith. May we journey onwards together in the midst of our great hope!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I wish you all a most happy and blessed Easter! May the peace of Christ be with you!</div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-58337540224086318002010-03-09T20:17:00.000+00:002010-03-09T20:18:57.376+00:00I MISSED ONE! 15TH Apparition<div>Thursday 4th of March<br /><br />And so the main 14 days of apparitions come to an end. Again, Bernadette returned to the grotto with her Rosary and asked the Lady's name as she had been told to by the priest. In her own words:<br /><br />"The third time I went to see M. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">le</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Curé</span>, to tell him that a Lady had ordered me to go and say to the priests that they were to have a chapel built there, he looked at me for a moment, and then he said to me in a rather gruff tone, 'Who is this lady?' I answered that I did not know. Then he commissioned me to ask her name and to come and tell him. The next day when I arrived at the grotto I recited my rosary and then asked her, from M. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">le</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Curé</span> what her name was, but all she did was to smile. When I got back I went to M. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">le</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Curé</span> to tell him that I discharged his commission, and her only response was her smile; then he said she was laughing at me and that I would do well not to go to her again. But, I could not help going."<br /><br />The Lady smiled once more but the vision was silent. The crowd was now far too large to put an exact number on but a conservative estimate is 8000 people. Bernadette's focus remained compete. The crowd was waiting for the miracle that would prove the Lady's divinity. It did not come and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Peyramale</span>, along with many others were unimpressed and took this as proof of their suspicions.<br /><br />The grotto stood for the next twenty days with no visits from Bernadette or her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Aquiro</span>. The Lady would only appear another three times. However, the next apparition would cause the greatest <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">commotion</span> of all. On Thursday the 25<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of March the Lady would reveal her name.</div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-63291677848026579742010-03-03T17:15:00.001+00:002010-03-03T17:17:17.210+00:00Anniversary of the 14th Apparition<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-: EN-GBfont-family:'Times New Roman';" >Wednesday 3rd of March<br /><br />Bernadette arrived early in the morning on this day as this was when the Lady most often appeared. As always Bernadette seemed focused only on seeing the Lady and was undisturbed by Peyramale's comments of the day before. Like Mary's, Bernadette's faith was unwavering and she did not falter in her belief that she must go to the grotto as she had been asked. She would later say in her usual direct and simple manner 'I have nothing to say because I have always told the truth'.<br /><br />However, early as Bernadette was and surrounded by a crowd of THREE THOUSAND people the Lady did not appear and Bernadette left for school disheartened. However, in the evening she was compelled to go back to the grotto and there she met once more with the Lady she so loved to look on.<br /><br />Bernadette had been told by Peyremale to ask the Lady for her name. He had also asked that the Lady make the rosebush flower as proof of her existence. Ever faithful Bernadette repeated this message from the priest but the Lady simply smiled back at the girl gazing upon her, bowed a little and smiled<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-59566095283722166992010-03-03T17:12:00.002+00:002010-03-03T17:18:47.228+00:00Anniversary of the 13th Apparition<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-: EN-GBfont-family:'Times New Roman';" >T<span style="color:#000000;">uesday 2<span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">nd </span>of March<br /><br />At this apparition the Lady would make two requests that are staples of the modern Lourdes - one a chapel and the other procession. Bernadette would later tell how the Lady asked quite simply:<br /><br />"Go, tell the priests to come here in procession and to build a chapel here”<br /><br /><br />That is exactly what Bernadette did- taking the short walk up to the house of <span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">Peyramale</span> who was a generous but firm priest - known for his clarity and his temper. Little Bernadette, a peasant girl who would be indistinguishable from any other village peasant was accompanied by her two Aunts. The <span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">Soubirous</span> family were still rather sceptical about the visions themselves. They were practical people but they also knew Bernadette and that all her life she had been unequivocally honest. They knew that she would not deceive them and therefore they walked with her. <span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">Peyramale's</span> reputation was not without foundation - Bernadette repeated the Lady's request and aggravated his famous temper. He asked her if she or the Lady had any money. Bernadette shook her head- she had to admit she had nothing - not even a penny.<br />'Neither do I!' shouted <span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">Peyramale</span>.<br /><span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">Peyramale</span> told Bernadette that if the Lady wanted a chapel the least she could do was mention her name. He said that before she got anything she should make the wild rose bushes flower - a miracle to prove that she was </span></span>dese<span></span>rving<span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-: EN-GBfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><span style="color:#000000;"> of her chapel or any time at all. Bernadette simply said she would ask the Lady all that <span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">Peyramale</span> had told her to ask. He told her to go home and to stop her deception. He also told off her aunts for letting this silly little girl bother him in the first place. He shooed them away but Bernadette returned a few minuets later to ask that people should come in procession - she had forgotten this part because <span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">Peyramale had been so outraged by the chapel she hadn't even got to the second part of the request</span>. Angered even more by this the priest told her once more to go home and stop her deception - he slammed his window shut. Bernadette went home but there was no deception to put an end to and her messages from the Lady would certainly not end there. Little did she know that the man who had turned her away on this day would soon become her ardent defender. The power of <span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">Aquiro</span>. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-: EN-GBfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><span style="color:#000000;">The photo above is the chapel as seen from the</span> grotto at night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-35395024196949081972010-03-01T17:21:00.000+00:002010-03-01T17:22:02.799+00:00Anniversary of the 12th apparition<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">The crowds were now at about 1500 and on this day, for the first time, a priest was among them. During the night something strange had happened and there was an atmosphere of excitement - though Bernadette seemed only aware, as usual, of the Lady she ran to the grotto to meet. She conversed with the Lady and continued her acts of penance.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">A pregnant housewife Catherine Latapie had gone to the spring Bernadette had dug days before with the idea that bathing her arm, which had a paralysis of the ulnar nerve and caused her a great deal of pain, might soothe the agony. Her arm was healed and from that time forward caused her no pain. She also went into labour immediately and had to leave the grotto after which her baby was safely delivered. Dr Dozous, the local and esteemed M.D. was interested in this event and began recording the events at the spring which had medical implications. This is often recorded as the first miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-55856375952695663652010-03-01T17:18:00.000+00:002010-03-01T17:19:03.856+00:00Anniersar of the 11th apparition<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">11th Apparition <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">Sunday 28th. February<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">Bernadette continued to carry out her acts of penance with the graciousness and humility that so struck the crowd of now over one thousand people. This would involve Bernadette being absorbed in prayer, kissing the ground, drinking from the overflowing spring and moving on her knees as a sign of penance. Some still did not know what to make of her but the increasing popularity and notoriety of the grotto was giving the authorities a headache. Lourdes was anxious not be seen as a backwards mountain outpost and for this reason Bernadette was taken to the house of Judge Ribes following this vision. Bernadette was threatened with prison and interrogated (again). She remained firm saying she had made a promise to Aquiro and she could not break it. She would return to the grotto.<o:p></o:p></span></p>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-878453563386645842010-03-01T17:17:00.001+00:002010-03-01T17:17:41.720+00:00Anniversary of the 10th apparition<span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Saturday 27<span style="BACKGROUND: yellow">th</span>. February:<br /><br />Eight hundred people crowded round the grotto where, two days before, Bernadette had dug a muddy puddle. The puddle was now a flowing spring - almost reaching the banks of the Gav. People watched as Bernadette carried out her acts of penance; drinking the water and eating the weeds. People waited for another message from the Lady. She remained silent. Watching. Praying. Those who had laughed and jeered at the previous apparition were also silent. Perhaps no longer so sure what to think about the little girl from Lourdes who seemed to have such dignity and grace in all she did- even when these actions might invoke judgement and involve humiliation.</span>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-28828326793846569002010-02-25T17:40:00.001+00:002010-02-25T17:41:49.400+00:00Anniversary of the 9th Apparition - THE SPRING<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><strong>Thursday 25th of February</strong> <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">Following the impressive gestures of the day before a further fifty people joined the crowd that came to the grotto for many reasons - curiosity, prayer and cautious interest. The number at the grotto on this day was about three hundred. This vision would mark a turning point - though the crowds witnessing the events would not realise the significance of what they were seeing. In fact they would laugh and jeer at Bernadette who continued to follow the Lady's commands undaunted. In her own words:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><em>"</em>(<em>The Lady) told me that I should go and drink at the fountain and wash myself. Seeing no fountain I went to drink at the Gave (the river just a few metres from the grotto). She said it was not there; she pointed with her finger that I was to go in under the rock. I went, and I found a puddle of water which was more like mud, and the quantity was so small that I could hardly gather a little in the hollow of my hand. Nevertheless I obeyed, and started scratching the ground; after doing that I was able to take some. The water was so dirty that three times I threw it away. The fourth time I was able to drink it. She also made me eat the bitter herbs that were found near the spring, and then the vision left and went away." <o:p></o:p></em></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">In front of the crowd that was laughing, gasping and jeering Bernadette retreated from the grotto with her usual dignity. When she overheard the crowd asking "Do you think that she is mad doing things like that?" she replied; "It is for sinners."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">Though no one yet knew it, the spring Bernadette had dug was in fact the same one that would become known, in a matter of weeks, as the miraculous spring of Massabielle. It has an entirely separate source to the Gave river which flows just metres from it. When examined by scientists it was found to have no special factors compared with other waters and yet incredible things happen to those who come to bathe in it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">People laughed at the grotto that day but now 30000 gallons of water flow from the spring EACH DAY. It is taken all over the world and remains a symbol of faith and hope. Video of the spring can be seen/ heard at the post <a href="http://thedreamersday.blogspot.com/2009/01/virtual-lourdes.html"><span style="COLOR: blue">VIRTUAL LOURDES</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">(This is the half way point in the apparitions -18 in total. The next apparition occurs on the 27th of February)<o:p></o:p></span></p>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-39014198187797548912010-02-24T17:32:00.001+00:002010-02-24T17:34:28.431+00:00Anniversary of the 8th apparition<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-: EN-GBfont-family:'Times New Roman';" >The crowds had continued to swell and now there was about 250 people surrounding the little grotto and the little visionary. For the first time Bernadette would carry a message to the crowd -one of serious gravity. The message of the "lady" was "Penance! Penance! Penance! Pray to God for sinners. Kiss the ground as an act of penance for sinners!". Bernadette was the first to obey this command - kissing the ground reverently and then raising herself back to a kneeling position. People were impressed with her immense humility and the dignity of the little peasant girl. People described how her whole physique changed when she encountered the Lady. It was almost as though her beauty was reflected in Bernadette's face. I think just looking at Bernadette's eyes a residue of that beauty could be seen for the rest of her life. They seemed to be looking beyond this world. While the events of this day may have moved and impressed the crowd as Bernadette cried out Penance! Penance! Penance! at the close of the vision - kneeling at these words; tomorrow's vision would bring Bernadette ridicule and humiliation...at least until something utterly extraordinary happened.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-66137380533149235012010-02-23T17:08:00.000+00:002010-02-23T17:09:24.884+00:00Anniversary of the 7th ApparitionThe crowds had now reached 150 people and after a day away from the grotto with no apparition, following her first meeting with Jacomet, Bernadette found herself called to Massabielle again. She continued in the same reverent manner as before - speaking with Aquiro in such deep ecstasy that she could barely be heard- though her lips could be seen moving. She kept her eyes fixed on the niche in ardent prayer. On this day the Lady would reveal a secret for Bernadette alone and she would never share it. The next few messages would be very public and the Lady would address the crowds- even though they could not hear or see her- so perhaps this secret was something Bernadette needed to hear before the explosion of activity and miracles that would create the sanctuary of Lourdes.SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-40370362110939292612010-02-21T13:05:00.003+00:002010-02-21T13:10:40.199+00:00Anniversary of the 6th Apparition<div>It is lovely that the days match up to the dates this year!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTkNFVr_y0XpN4MZu4TEAiM2xw5CNf63GJJfHy8oadG0lErfGQYu-KcPTT-bfj_n6FbAslsAF2quD5VSJGRTg_MtaPGaFFaI3V1fGICoa5qd8Tkde8v-D5ZBEmjXfQT6ulaVG2SQx4VX2/s1600-h/100_0311.JPG" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTkNFVr_y0XpN4MZu4TEAiM2xw5CNf63GJJfHy8oadG0lErfGQYu-KcPTT-bfj_n6FbAslsAF2quD5VSJGRTg_MtaPGaFFaI3V1fGICoa5qd8Tkde8v-D5ZBEmjXfQT6ulaVG2SQx4VX2/s320/100_0311.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305226520536498178" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sunday 21st of February<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At the sixth apparition the crowds leapt in number and when the lady appeared early in the morning on this Sunday Bernadette was surrounded by one hundred people. She would later say that when the lady was present she was barely aware of those surrounding her - such was her focus. On this day the crowds were deeply impressed by Bernadette's reverence and ecstasy. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As Bernadette speaks and prays with Aquiro- the lady looks out over the crowd and tells Bernadette 'pray for all sinners.' Bernadette later said that the only time when the lady looked sad was when she talked of sinners- this would be with increasing frequency in the coming visions.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The fact that interest in these visions was growing meant the authorities in Lourdes could no longer avoid confronting what was happening down at the grotto. After this vision </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">t</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">he Police Commissioner, Jacomet, had Bernadette summoned in order to question her. This would be the first of many such sessions in which Bernadette would be intimidated and interrogated. In spite of ill health and exhaustion Bernadette would always hold herself with dignity and respond with incredible precision. She never flinched or shied away when summoned but went willingly and politely wherever she was taken. Jacomet was concerned for the reputation of Lourdes and wanted Bernadette to tell what she saw. Bernadette would only speak of "AQUÉRO" ("that thing" in local dialect) and when he tried to muddle her about what she saw she calmly corrected him on the details that would remain unchanged, even on the smallest point, in the thousands of verbal and written accounts she would be forced to give until the time of her death.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bernadette's father Francois came to collect her on this particular day and, afraid of the consequences of these visions and the trouble they were causing for his family, he was persuaded to assure the commissioner that he would not allow his little daughter to continue to go to the grotto of Massabielle. Francois and his family were at a low ebb and he was burdened by their fall in postion. He was a hard worker and a talented miller and he did not want to cause his children anymore pain. However, he loved his Bernadette more than he loved his reputation and when he saw how broken she was by his request that she should not return to the grotto he relented and let her go. Bernadette had never lied to him and much as it caused him hurt he found himself unable to deny her truth and sincerity.</span></span></span></div></span></div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-45989914716604487522010-02-20T20:36:00.001+00:002010-02-20T20:38:19.671+00:00Anniversary of the 5th Apparition<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 20px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSODoV8p4hyphenhyphenPspMeFx6XIG_I1t6OWP6abdy2yvqBAMgrA7FLbhqQwuiGc_kf7Na3K0EkBW3JPaQsE2NDA9fKEhPW1VJq8oxK25h10UoS__ZT1_0SiQkt5RUdshds_xzXfF32lZxh8JNyDs/s1600-h/bernyoung1.gif" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304865927452149378" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSODoV8p4hyphenhyphenPspMeFx6XIG_I1t6OWP6abdy2yvqBAMgrA7FLbhqQwuiGc_kf7Na3K0EkBW3JPaQsE2NDA9fKEhPW1VJq8oxK25h10UoS__ZT1_0SiQkt5RUdshds_xzXfF32lZxh8JNyDs/s320/bernyoung1.gif" border="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; width: 198px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; "><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">5th Apparition</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Saturday 20th of February</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">At the fifth apparition Our Lady spoke with Bernadette and taught her a prayer that was just for her. She would say this prayer every day of her life, but never wrote it down or repeated it to anyone. For the rest of her life people would constantly attempt to make Bernadette divulge this prayer and the secrets Our Lady had told her. Bernadette never gave in but with her immense strength of character and her own brand of feisty Pyreneen wit she would rebuke them for trying in a firm but gentle manner. One frequent response was 'men are powerful on earth but the Holy Virgin is powerful in Heaven'. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Whatever was said it was noted by the crowds at the end of this vision Bernadette was overcome with a great sadness.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Word had now begun to spread amongst surrounding villages and this day saw the biggest crowd yet - about thirty people.</span></span></div></span></div>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649952440906875223.post-26084374954945873442010-02-19T23:03:00.000+00:002010-02-19T23:04:58.273+00:004th apparition- the origin of the candles<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(25, 25, 25); "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); "><br /></h3><div class="post-header-line-1"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk1OKytRrvkB3zpopbB_q_ukUpLC2NtOz1UKI4cH0UJOaL3lNoki7XZIiRyxc2UisZuBmRt_Efpe2jI3mtAa3QmY-d7iMWGbCTlLupEds3SxXQi5fSIazRg0876KL72NsfHhX_pzN7-lL/s320/100_0337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304495589355999442" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; "><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Friday 19th. February was another short and silent Apparition (about thirty minutes) in which Bernadette and Our Lady continued to pray the Rosary together. The woman with the blue sash and the yellow rose between each foot would only join in with the Our Father and the Glory Be the rest of the time she would follow along on the beads with Bernadette's eyes fixed on her. Sometimes she would smile.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">This time Bernadette went to the grotto with six women, one of whom was her Aunt. This was the beginning of the weeks of 1858 in which Bernadette would see Aquiro with the greatest frequency. She never claimed that the person she saw was the Virgin Mary and corrected those who did make any such statement. Bernadette was always very precise about the details of what happened at the grotto of Massabielle.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; "><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">She came to the Grotto with a lighted blessed candle. This is origin of carrying candles and lighting them in front of the Grotto. I love the the fact that no matter the time of year or the time of day since the lighting of this first candle on the 19th of February the candles of faith have continued to burn at this little grotto. Whenever a doubt flickers across my mind I think of the candles burning beneath and close to the rock where Our Lady stood and I know that there is great faith in the world.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3OepSpqjS4xtyrPkeyHIOM7UUcRga7sJ5FnONGdB-WVDSdwwTR91FJcsjA1mBkSOfZse5ABXnGnHGeGGy8gdVPUrtp8nnemmukeB4lA42o9DbkqnA9Y01Yqpga3YbTuJXov-ahCPuQn6/s320/100_0278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304496015394076722" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> </span></span></div></div></div></span>SQUELLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107524704656591376noreply@blogger.com3