This year is the 151st anniversary in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Welcome to our specialty page honoring the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France. In 1858, on a cold February day, the young French peasant girl Bernadette was first visited by the Blessed Mother of Our Lord, who identified herself by saying "I am the Immaculate Conception." 

Our Lady of Lourdes Statue

At 22 years of age, Bernadette became a nun and devoted her life to Mary. She died in 1879 when she was only 36. She will be remembered for believing in the greater glory of God as she was faithful to her mission, she was humble in glory and she was valiant in her sufferings.  Today, Lourdes remains one of the most frequented Christian shrines in the world.  More than 3 million visitors, pilgrims and tourists come each year to the Grotto of Massabielle, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette 18 times in 1858.

St. Bernadette was canonized by Pope Pius XI on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1933. She remains one of the "incorruptible saints" of the Church - considered throughout the history of the Church as a sign of very great sanctity.