A Gradual Knowledge

    "Since the flame that was to burn us up entirely had not yet
flared up, my friends and I thought that the glow emanating from
Philosophy and our way of life that warmed us slowly was the greatest
there could be. Suddenly some substantial books appeared and started
up an incredible blaze in me. It was more powerful than I can bring
myself to believe.
    After this, how could honor, human pomp, desire for empty fame, or
the consolations of this dying life move me! Swiftly, I turned
completely in upon myself."
--St. Augustine--Against the Academics 2, 2

Prayer: You, who always are, both before we were and before the world
existed, have become for us a refuge in which we have turned to you.
--St. Augustine--Commentary on Psalm 89, 3

===========
February 28: -Our Lady of Lourdes, The 11th Apparition

We continue our re-publishing of previous posts chronicling the
miraculous unfolding of events that took place at Lourdes in 1858. Our
Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

On Sunday, February 28, 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Saint
Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto in Lourdes for the 11th time.
Beginning on February 11, The Blessed Virgin had been appearing to
Bernadette Soubirous, each time bringing a message of prayer, penance,
poverty, and participation. Through these posts, we continue our
journey with Saint Bernadette as we encounter Our Blessed Mother
through her eyes, memories, and words. During the previous nine
visitations (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, and 27) the
Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, communicated the message of
Lourdes to all mankind, through Saint Bernadette. She implored us,
saying, “Penance, Penance, Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Our
Blessed Mother further invited Bernadette to drink and bathe in the
muddy water of the grotto, after which a clear flowing spring came
forth where none had existed before. Our Lady of Lourdes commanded,
“Go drink in the spring and wash yourself there,”something that
faithful pilgrims continue to do each day. (For personal reflections
on my experience at Lourdes, see here and here).

During the tenth visitation, the Blessed Mother appeared again to
Bernadette, but remained quiet. Bernadette was relieved, as Our Lady
of Lourdes had not appeared the day before, and she had been afraid
that somehow she had offended the beautiful lady. While Bernadette had
been graced with a visitation, aquero had remained silent, smiled at Bernadette’s acts of penance, and prayed the Rosary with her.

During the 11th visitation, Our Blessed Mother repeated her
instructions to pray for sinners, and to offer acts of penance to God
for their salvation. As typical, Bernadette carried a lighted blessed
candle with her, knelt in prayer before a crowd nearing 1,000 curious onlookers, and repeated her seemingly bizarre (to those observing)
acts of penance. The spring, which had only appeared days before,
continued to flow strong and pure and clear.

Our Blessed Mother would appear to Bernadette seven more times at the
grotto at Massabielle, each time more and more people accompanying
Bernadette, hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful lady she
referred to. Given the crowds, the local priests and religious would
soon be forced to get involved, whereas previously they had observed
hoping to have the apparitions discredited. Our Lady would also soon
make a request of the community, one which would ensure continued
devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, and continued propagation of the
message of Lourdes.
by Jacob


Reflection.
A soul without discipline is like a ship without a helm: it must
inevitably strike unawares upon the rocks, founder on the shoals, or
float unawares into the harbor of the enemy.


Bible Quote:
 ... "Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you; Moses gave
you not bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread
from heaven. For the bread of God is that which cometh down from
heaven and giveth life to the world. They said therefore unto him:
Lord, give us always this bread. And Jesus said to them: I am the
bread of life. He that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that
believeth in me shall never thirst. But I said unto you that you also
have seen me, and you believe not."  [John 6:32-36]  DRB


<><><><>
Saint Bernadette, you always enjoyed serving others.
In February 1858, the Blessed Virgin appeared to you when you were
gathering wood.
Among your sisters, you have learned to treat the sick and those in need. Later, in Nevers, you were an excellent nurse, offering an attentive
and intelligent charity.

Saint Bernadette, Like Mary, who saw the family’s needs in Cana,
inspire in me the same generosity and the same faith that you see in
Christ.

Lord, you have given us brothers and sisters to love. We pray that our
eyes, our hands, and our hearts are open to all those that you put in
our way. Amen.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)