The Apparitions
by Fr. Patrick Greenough, ofm conv.
The First Apparition (Thursday,
Feb. 11,1858)
On the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, Feb. 11,1858 as Bernadette
was taking off her socks to cross the Gave river and gather firewood
with her sisters, she heard a loud noise like thunder. She looked
up towards the grotto and saw a golden cloud coming out of it,
followed by the appearance of a beautiful Lady. So beautiful
that she had never seen anyone like her before. The Lady looked
at her and smiled and signaled for Bernadette to come closer.
Bernadette immediately fell to her knees and began to say the
Rosary but was unable to lift her hand to make the Sign of the
Cross. The beautiful Lady was also holding a Rosary and, encouraged
by her, Bernadette was able to pray and the Lady joined her at
every "Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
After She finished praying the Rosary, the vision disappeared.
It was an apparition of Light and Silence! Bernadette later described
the Lady as wearing a white tunic tied at the waist by a blue
ribbon, which fell down along her side. A white veil through
which her hair was visible covered her head. Her feet were bare
and each foot had a shining yellow rose on it. A white beaded
rosary with a gold chain the same color as the roses on her feet
hung from her right arm.
Second Apparition (Sunday, Feb.14)
Bernadette felt a strong compulsion drawing her to the grotto.
When she arrived at the grotto she threw holy water at the apparition,
at which the Lady smiled. Then she fell to her knees and began
to pray the Rosary.
She fell into a state of ecstasy and was bathed in the light
of a divine vision. Unable to bring Bernadette back to a normal
state, her friends carried her away from the grotto where she
eventually returned to her senses.
Third Apparition (Thursday,
Feb. 18)
Accompanied by Madame Mihet, the employer of Berna-dette's mother,
she went to the grotto and heard the Lady talk to her for the
first time. Bernadette presented a pen to her requesting that
she write down a message, to which the Lady responded by saying
what I have to say need not be taken down in writing. Would you
be kind enough to come here for fifteen days? What is remarkable
here is that Our Lady does not impose herself upon Bernadette.
Perhaps in our faith sharing, rather than impose our thoughts
and feelings upon others, merely ask them to consider
what we have said and allow grace to proceed. The Virgin then
concluded by saying, I cannot promise you happiness in this life
but in the next.
Fourth - Seventh Apparitions
(Friday, Feb.19-Tuesday, Feb.23)
Bernadette returned to the grotto as requested and each time
prayed the Rosary with the Lady and sometimes spoke with her
affectionately and joyfully. Each time the crowd grew larger.
Eighth Apparition (Wednesday,
Feb.24)
When Bernadette arrived at the grotto she knelt and made the
Sign of the Cross. As she prayed her faced expressed not only
sor-row but also tears began to flow from her eyes. She conversed
with the Lady and as the apparition ended she bent over and kissed
the ground. She then rose up and told the crowd the message which
she received from the Lady. Repentance! Pray to God for the conversion
of sinners. Kiss the ground as penance for sinners!
Ninth Apparition (Thursday,
Feb.25)
As soon as Bernadette knelt at the grotto she went into ecstasy
all the time repeating Penance! Penance! Penance! She then began
to dig in the dirt, drink the muddy water and eat grass like
an animal. People who saw her began to think that she was insane.
Later Bernadette explained that the Lady told her to approach
and drink and wash at the fountain. Since there was no fountain
nearby, she headed towards the river. The Lady instead directed
her to a place under the rock by the grotto. There was nothing
there but some muddy water so she began to scrape away at the
dirt, until she finally found enough muddy water to drink and
wash her face after which she was told to eat a few blades of
grass, although she did not know why. To eat grass and drink
muddy water from her cupped hands was to show to what extent
sin had humiliated humanity. When we sin we are no different
than the beasts of the field. Penance opens up our eyes not only
to our sinfulness but to the dignity to which each one of us
is called and created by God.
Tenth Apparition (Saturday,
Feb.27)
Bernadette told all of the pilgrims to Go, drink and wash at
the fountain!
Eleventh and Twelfth Apparitions
(Sun., Feb.28 Mon., March 1)
The Lady appeared to Bernadette, but gave no message.
Thirteenth Apparition (Tuesday,
March 2)
After the apparition, Bernadette went to the Pastor of her parish
church and told him that the Lady wants a chapel to be built
at Massabielle(the grotto).
After which the Pastor asked Bernadette what the Lady's name
was, but as of yet, Bernadette did not know.
Fourteenth Apparition (Wednesday,
March 3)
Bernadette told the Lady that the Pastor, Abbey Peyramale, wanted
to know her name and to see the flowers bloom at the grotto before
he would believe and build a chapel.
Fifteenth Apparition (Thursday,
March 4)
By this time all of France has heard about the apparitions and
ten thousand people are waiting at the grotto for Bernadette.
There is no message this time and afterwards Bernadette returns
to the poverty of the Cachot where she lives.
Sixteenth Apparition (Thursday,
March 25)
With her hands folded in prayer, Bernadette asked the Lady for
a third time what her name was. With the Lady's face expressing
humility, she joined her hands, raised them above her breast,
lifted her eyes to heaven and then parted her hands as she looked
towards Bernadette, bent over towards her and in a trembling
voice said, I am the Immaculate Conception!
Seventeenth Apparition (Wednesday,
April 7)
During the apparition occurred the miracle of the candle. During
her ecstasy Bernadette was holding a candle with one hand and
held her other hand above the flame and yet was not burned and
showed no sign of pain. A skeptical doctor, after seeing this,
began to believe in the apparition. How happy are they however,
who have not seen and yet believe!
Eighteenth Apparition (Friday,
July 16)
At this time the authorities had erected a barricade in front
of the grotto. Do we ever put up barricades to Our Lady's messages?
Barricades around our hearts and minds, refusing to hear or even
reflect upon what Mary is saying? In spite of the barricades,
Bernadette prayed from across the river. This is her last encounter
with the Immaculate Conception.
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