One of the most famous places of Christian pilgrimage is to be found in the little town of Lourdes in southern France. It was here in 1858 that the simple peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous, had visions of the Mother of God who commanded her to bring people to do prayer and penance. It was Bernadette’s utter simplicity and peasant stubbornness that made it impossible for her elders and betters to shake her from her conviction about seeing the ‘beautiful lady’. In time she was proved right and hence on Tuesday we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

For nearly one hundred and fifty years millions of people have flocked to Lourdes to do what Mary asked: prayer and penance. There have been several well documented miracles, statues of Our Lady of Lourdes can be found in many Catholic Churches and homes, and all those who visit go home with their faith renewed.

God’s wisdom is proved in his saints. He used Bernadette’s seeming slowness and stubborn nature to bring about his will. Similarly with us, it won’t just be our skills and talents that God will use, if we have enough faith he’ll even use the things that we value less about ourselves or would wish to change. May his love transform us completely and bring us to share in the joy of heaven with Mary, Bernadette and all the saints. P.D.