Luke 1:37
For nothing will be impossible for God.
In our Catholic Church, it is traditional to choose a saint’s name at Confirmation. My children won’t have to look very far.(I have Abigail, Patrick, Thomas, and Elizabeth in my children’s names)
For myself, I had to choose a brand new name. At the time I was confirmed, I was attending a parish with a beautiful Lourdes grotto, so Saint Bernadette seemed the obvious choice.
The story of Our Lady of Lourdes is beautiful. Bernadette Soubirous was the oldest daughter in a very poor family in France. Over a six month period in 1858, Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, despite the fact that the young girl was poor and uneducated.
She was met with great hostility upon word of the visitations, by church officials and even her own family members. The apparitions were approved by the Church in 1862.
Bernadette often remarked that Mary appeared to her in spite of her shortcomings. She went on to become a member of the Sisters of Charity, never seeking the spotlight.
Today, Lourdes is visited by millions of pilgrims seeking healing in the spring waters there. It’s on my bucket list of places to visit, right along with Vatican City.
Looking for ways to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes with your family? Be sure and check out these creative ideas.
Lacy from Catholic Icing has a blue grotto spring cups craft, while Melissa at St Brigid’s Academy has a grotto … made out of Fruity Pebbles! If you’re craft challenged like me, stick to a Our Lady of Lourdes coloring page.
There are movies that you can share with your family, such as Song of Bernadette, or St Bernadette of Lourdes. We’ll be checking out St Bernadette, since the cast is made up of homeschooled children.
What about you? Do you have plans to celebrate Our Lady of Lourdes, or St Valentine’s Day? Be sure and leave your thoughts in the comment box!
Looking for more faith filled link ups? I'll be sharing my stories at:Scripture and a Snapshot, Sunday Snippets, Spiritual Sundays, Hear it on Sunday, Playdates with God,Titus 2sday,On Your Heart Tuesday,Domestically Divine Tuesdays,Gratituesday,Word Filled Wednesdays, Walk With Him Wednesdays, iFellowship, Planting Mustard Seeds, Good Morning Girls,and Journeys of Faith Fridays.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
dear diana, thank you for visiting, i love your blog. i admire the saints as each one of them have sacrificed themselves for the Lord and opened our eyes to see beyond by meditating in HIS name to seek salvation and a place in the Kingdom! i love St Bernadette!
Twitter: diannakennedy
February 12, 2012 at 7:37 pm
You’re more than welcome! I appreciate you linking up here! I love all of us learning from each other, in a network of support!
Thank you so much for coming by!
Twitter: simple_catholic
February 12, 2012 at 10:22 am
Is it okay to link two posts? I tried to post a second link but it wouldn’t “take”. Also, I’m not seeing the other entries that are linked up. I checked in Firefox & IE and they don’t show up in either one.
I love St. Bernadette She is one of my favorite saints and I can’t believe I forgot about Our Lady of Lourdes feast day! Yikes! St. Bernadette of Lourdes looks like a great movie!
Carol@simple_catholic recently posted..7 Sundays Devotion to St. Joseph Week Two
Carol, of course! Let me check out the code and see what’s going on. Inlinkz is new to me.
Dianna recently posted..Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes: Saints and Scripture Sunday
I had no idea there were any St. Bernadette movies! Heading to Netflix now
Angie recently posted..Faith in the Unseen
There are quite a few! One I linked to is available on demand at Amazon!
Dianna recently posted..Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes: Saints and Scripture Sunday
I found my confirmation name in the index of a book with lots of saint bios. I wish now that I had put more thought and prayer into the matter.
Thanks for hosting again.
Contra recently posted..Saints and Scripture High Priest
Twitter: diannakennedy
February 12, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Well, I’ve actually learned more about Saint Bernadette in the past few years, than I did when I was confirmed. I’m a bad Catholic mother … and I can’t recall who my oldest daughter chose as her patron saint. Maybe St Felicity?
With having saints as part of our children’s names, it gives them a starting point, at least. For instance — even though my young children are still pretty young, ALL their ears perk up with the mention of Saint Patrick. (That’s Adam’s middle name) With the story of the Visitation, Rachel is delighted when she hears about Mary visiting Elizabeth, since that’s her middle name. It helps to connect the little ones with their powerful intercessors … amazing men and women of God who have gone before us. In teaching them about our faith, I’m learning SO much more.
Thanks for coming by!
Oh, I need to add Lourdes to my bucket list, too!
Twitter: diannakennedy
February 12, 2012 at 7:29 pm
I have LOADS of places on my bucket list …. we’d better visit Guadelupe, too!
Thanks for coming by!
Twitter: amandanethero
February 13, 2012 at 9:02 am
I think this is the first year we are not going out for Valentine’s Day. The mission’s actually fall over Valentine’s Day this year, so I think we may do that instead.
Amanda recently posted..A Lesson in Mercy
Twitter: diannakennedy
February 18, 2012 at 8:54 pm
We actually ended up staying home for Valentine’s Day – I cooked dinner (special occasion, since I rarely cook), then the kids and I did cupcakes together.
I told Brett that it was one of the best Valentine’s Days of my life — I was surrounded by the people most precious to me.
Thanks for coming by!!
I am totally captivated by that trailer and those child actors. What a wonderful way to tell the story of St. Bernadette. Still loving learning these stories through your telling, Dianna. Thank you.
laura recently posted..Let them Eat Cake and a Valentine’s Gift
Since I am not Catholic I don’t know a lot about the traditions of the Catholic Church. I’m glad you shared this. I do remember reading about the story of St. Bernadette many years ago. Thank you for bringing back this reminder.
Thank you for sharing on Spiritual Sundays.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Charlotte recently posted..A Clean Heart
Twitter: 7clowncircus
February 16, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I had never heard this story, and I loved the background and significance!
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