Every year, millions of pilgrims travel to Lourdes the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains of France, to visit the Grotto of Massabielle, also known as the Grotto of the Apparitions, and pray to Our Lady of Lourdes, which is the Roman Catholic title of Mary, mother of Jesus. She is venerated in honor of the Marian apparitions that occurred there.
According to tradition, the Blessed Mother first appeared to a 14-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes on February 11, 1858.
Since her appearance, a number of unexplained and miraculous healings from the waters at Lourdes have been recorded by the Church.
According to the Church, since the apparitions in the Grotto at Massabielle appeared 164 years ago, thousands of people have been healed in the Lourdes waters, and 70 have been recognized as miraculous cures.
Today, the miracles of Lourdes continue to inspire the faithful around the globe.
In Greenwich, lifelong resident Dave D’Andrea is coordinating an upcoming Lourdes Retreat at St. Mary Catholic Church in Stamford.
D’Andrea, who has had been through a lot, knows about miracles, and is resolute in his Catholic faith. He attributes several miracles in his life to Our Lady of Lourdes.
He said at the upcoming Lourdes Retreat at St. Mary Catholic Church in Stamford on May 7, the candlelight rosary will be said in five languages—English, Spanish, Haitian, Filipino and Italian, which the Bishop will pray.
There will be a procession with the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes with five priests, a talk, a Eucharistic blessing and a reception afterwards in the church hall.
Bishop Frank Caggiano will conduct the retreat and Father Gustavo Falla host the event.
Refreshments will be served afterward. The event is free but donations will be accepted.
The May 7 event begins at 1:00 pm, and will last an hour.
St. Mary Catholic Church is located at 566 Elm Street Stamford, CT 06902.
For reservations or information about the Lourdes Retreat, call St. Mary Church at (203) 324-7321 or email [email protected]