Our parish is named after Mary under the title of Our Lady of Lourdes. This title commemorates her apparitions during the year 1858 to a poor 14 year old French girl, St. Bernadette Soubiroux, in Lourdes France. Throughout the apparitions, Mary spoke to Bernadette, identifying herself as The Immaculate Conception. She often led Bernadette in praying the rosary, and encouraged her to do acts of penance.

She told St. Bernadette to inform the priests of God’s desire for a chapel to be built there, and processions to be observed there. After a time, the clergy heeded this call. A chapel was built, processions take place there each day.

During one of the apparitions, Mary instructed St. Bernadette to dig in the mud and drink. After obeying, water began to spring from the ground. To this day, pilgrims to Lourdes bathe in these waters seeking God’s mercy. Many miracles have occurred at Lourdes during Eucharistic processions, and during bathing in the waters.

St. Bernadette went on to join a convent in Nevers, France. She professed vows with the sisters of Christian Charity and lived a cloistered life. She saw her life’s work as to offer prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners. She offered many sufferings with great patience and charity. She died April 16, 1879 at the young age of 35. She was canonized December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, in 1933.

To this day, the grotto at Lourdes continues to be a place of profound consolation, healing and peace.

Here in the United States, a National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Each year, parishioners from Enola make a pilgrimage to the National Shrine in Emmitsburg.

To learn much more about the miraculous events at Lourdes, view the video below!