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Lourdes 150th Anniversary

Lourdes bishop: Catholics today can identify with St. Bernadette Friday, December 05, 2008 WASHINGTON (CNS) – People today can identify with the weaknesses of St. Bernadette Soubirous and the message of her Marian apparitions, said a French bishop whose diocese includes Lourdes.

Pope OKs plenary indulgence for Lourdes’ 150th anniversary Friday, December 05, 2008 VATICAN CITY (CNS) – To mark the 150th anniversary of Mary's appearance to St. Bernadette Soubirous near Lourdes, France, Pope Benedict XVI authorized a special indulgence to encourage renewed holiness.

Catholics should unite with suffering, pope says in World Day of Sick message Friday, December 05, 2008 VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Receiving Christ in the Eucharist, Catholics should in turn give their lives for others, especially those who are sick and suffering, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Additional Recent News
LOURDES, France (CNS) -- St. Bernadette Soubirous was 14 years old, poor, illiterate and did not know the catechism enough to make her first Communion when Mary appeared to her in the grotto at Lourdes. Friday, December 05, 2008 Poverty, humility defined life of St. Bernadette Soubirous Friday, December 05, 2008	VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Led by 18 sharply dressed Italian military police on horseback, hundreds of people who care for the sick escorted a relic of St. Bernadette Soubirous into St. Peter's Square here. Friday, December 05, 2008 Hundreds of caregivers at Vatican process with relic of St. Bernadette Friday, December 05, 2008
LOURDES, France (CNS) -- Every year, more than 6 million people -- including about 500,000 American Catholics -- travel to Lourdes, ask for healing and forgiveness, and often leave with a bottle of holy water. Friday, December 05, 2008 Millions flock to Lourdes seeking physical, spiritual help Friday, December 05, 2008	WASHINGTON (CNS) – Some were in wheelchairs. Others hobbled on canes or were assisted by caregivers in white lab coats. Many were elderly but several were young. All suffered serious health problems. Friday, December 05, 2008 National Shrine Mass for World Day of Sick stresses healing, ties to Lourdes shrine Friday, December 05, 2008
LOURDES, France (CNS) – Mary did not seek devotion from St. Bernadette Soubirous and Catholics but instead sought devotion to Jesus and the Eucharist, said Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes and Lourdes. Friday, December 05, 2008 Mary sought devotion to Jesus, Eucharist, Lourdes bishop says Friday, December 05, 2008	LOURDES, France (CNS) – Pilgrims come to the Massabielle grotto to slide their fingers and run their hands along its damp walls smoothed by years of touching. They touch the walls with scarves, rosaries and folded pieces of paper with written prayer intentions. Friday, December 05, 2008 Pilgrims touch, bathe, drink for Mary’s intervention at Lourdes Friday, December 05, 2008

background information
Click the link to read the full document. Friday, December 05, 2008 Lourdes: 150 Years of God's Healing Care From St. Anthony Messenger magazine	Click the link to read the full document. Friday, December 05, 2008 Mary of History From Catholic Update, St. Anthony Messenger Press
Click the link to read the full document. Friday, December 05, 2008 Our Lady of Lourdes From Saint of the Day, St. Anthony Messenger Press	Click the link to read the full document. Friday, December 05, 2008 Praying the Rosary From AmericanCatholic.org, St. Anthony Messenger Press
Click the link to read the full document. Friday, December 05, 2008 St. Bernadette Soubirous From Saint of the Day, St. Anthony Messenger Press	Click the link to read the full document. Friday, December 05, 2008 Learning About Mary From AmericanCatholic.org, St. Anthony Messenger Press
Click the link to read the full document. Friday, December 05, 2008 French peasant girl’s life changed forever From Every Day Catholic, St. Anthony Messenger Press