Lourdes - 2008

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The Jubilee Way

St Bernadette suffered from ill-health throughout her short life.
During the past 150 years, millions of sick and disabled pilgrims have gained comfort and strength from their visit to Lourdes.

The Holy Father invites the elderly, sick and disabled who are not travelling to Lourdes this year to make a 'spiritual visit' to four places in Lourdes
that are closely associated with the life of Saint Bernadette.

He has granted a plenary indulgence to those who do this
between 2nd and 11th February.

The elderly, sick, and all those unable to leave home for a just cause,
if they consciously reject all sin and have the intention to receive
the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion as soon as possible,
are able to obtain - at home or wherever they may be -
a plenary indulgence daily, if they complete a "spiritual visit" in the desire of their heart to the four places indicated below, recite the prayers for the Holy Father's intentions (Our Father, Profession of Faith and the Jubilee Prayer or some other invocation of Our Lady) and trustingly offer the pains and discomforts of their own lives to God through Mary.

1 - Lourdes Parish Church - the font in which Bernadette was baptised

Bernadette was born on 7th January 1844 and baptised two days later in the Church of St Peter. This church burned down in 1896, but its font has been installed in the new parish church.

We thank God for our own Baptism and the continued graces that he offers us as members of his family.

We pray for the Church throughout the world and for our own diocese and parish.

2 - The 'cachot' where Bernadette and her family were living in 1858
	Poverty led the Soubirous family - father, mother and four children - to live in the 'cachot' a former prison cell, little more than 12 feet square. It was from here that Bernadette, on 11th February 1858, went to the Rock of Massabielle and saw 'the beautiful lady' for the first time.
We accept our sufferings, loneliness and pain and offer them to God. We pray for all who are poor, those who are homeless and those who are in prison.

3 - The Grotto where Bernadette met Our Lady
	Between 11th February and 16th July 1858, Our Lady appeared to Bernadette eighteen times. She called for penance and prayer for sinners. She asked that a church should be built and people come in procession. She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception.
We express our sorrow for all our sins. We pray for sinners throughout the world that they may be converted and turn to God.

4 - The old hospice where Bernadette received her First Communion
	Bernadette received her First Holy Communion on 3rd June 1858 in the chapel of the hospice (now a hospital). After this she was granted one further apparition. She described Our Lady as being 'more beautiful than ever'.
We thank God for the supreme gift of himself in the Holy Eucharist. We pray for those who have lapsed from the practice of their faith and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.

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