I Met the Virgin Mary in Lourdes

<p>Bernadette was just an ordinary French girl. In 1858 at the age of fourteen she saw a sparkling figure of a lady dressed in a white dress a blue sash and a veil. The lady held a rosary so Bernadette pulled out her rosary and prayed with her. Bernadette met this beautiful lady a total of eighteen times. After asking repeatedly what the lady's name was she finally told Bernadette I am the Immaculate Conception. After years of explaining and defending herself that the apparitions were true the authorities finally believed her.</p><p></p><p>Today Lourdes France is a Catholic Marian shrine. Since 1860 an estimated two hundred million people have visited Lourdes. The Roman Catholic Church has officially recognized seventy miraculous healings. In 1933 Bernadette was made a saint on December 8 the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.</p><p></p><p>Bernadette's incredible story reminds us that anyone can be called to serve the Lord through the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God.</p>