Resources for younger students

11 Feb is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes

February 11 was proclaimed World Day of the Sick by Pope John Paul II. 

In times of trouble and concern, we pray to Our Lady of Lourdes for help and support. 

The Story of Our Lady of Lourdes and Bernadette

Of course, Mary, Jesus’ mother, is the greatest saint. She has appeared to many people over the centuries. Each place she has appeared she has been given a different title. Our Lady of Lourdes was the title she was given after she visited Bernadette Soubirous, a fourteen-year-old girl in 1858.

Bernadette lived in a very poor house in Lourdes, France, with her parents, two brothers, and a sister.

One day Bernadette was out with her sister and a friend to gather wood for the fire. Bernadette, who suffered from asthma and was often sick, did not cross over the stream to gather wood on the other side with her sister and friend. 

While they were gone, Bernadette heard a noise over near a cave-like area, and she went to investigate. There, Bernadette saw a lovely lady dressed in white who had a blue sash around her waist and a rose on each foot. She was beautiful!

The lady asked her to come back again. The lady appeared to Bernadette a total of eighteen times. Bernadette was teased and laughed at; many believed that she was either imagining the appearances of Our Lady or making it up.

When a spring miraculously appeared after one of the visions, many who doubted her began to believe. Those who bathed in the spring were often cured of serious sickness or disability. Eventually, the lady identified herself: “I am Mary,” she told Bernadette. It was then that people realized for sure that it was Mary, the mother of God, appearing to Bernadette.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

Mother of Mercy,  Healer of the Sick,  Comforter of those in need, 

you know my wants, my troubles...

Comfort me.

I come to you with endless confidence.

I will try to be my best.

Amen

The Grotto In Lourdes, France where Our Blessed Mother appeared eighteen times to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.  This Video is a Tour of the Sanctuary and Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzeO0E36RJw

Ever since a vision of the Virgin Mary 150 years ago Lourdes has acquired a reputation as a place where sicknesses can be miraculously cured. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56LPgXO7PXM

In honour of St Bernadette, February 11 was proclaimed World Day of the Sick by Pope John Paul II who said that in times of trouble and concern, we can pray to Our Lady of Lourdes for help and support. At St Carthage’s we try to be practical helping those in need by keeping a FOOD FREEZER FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.

At the moment we cannot accept meals but over the next few weeks this should change with the purchase of a new freezer.

We can ACT by bringing cooked and frozen meals for our  "FAMILY IN NEED" FOOD FREEZER.  These are given to families in need by our wonderful Class Parents.  If you can help, please drop off meals to the Office (please mark the indredients and date cooked.)

OR...

We can  cook dinner for a sick neighbour...

OR...

Send a letter to the local nursing home or a sick member of your parish community

Can your class think of an ACT OF SERVICE?

SEE.... REFLECT...ACT!