Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity visited two St. Bernadette Parishes in Appleton and De Pere, Wisconsin to pray near the relics of St. Bernadette. Sister Jan Villemure shares about the experience in De Pere and Sister Maria Guadalupe Martinez Lopez comments on Appleton.
June 14
June 14th Sisters Jan and Anne Marie visited the St. Bernadette relics exhibit at Lourdes Parish in De Pere. We were blessed that of the 26 visitation sites in the North American visit three were close to us in Appleton, De Pere and at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. The price of gas determined which place we would visit, closest to our convent.
There was a steady stream of Pilgrims while we prayed there. We were able to have articles touched to the reliquary. Special prayer cards were available, as many as people wanted to share with others who could not be there. Lourdes water was available too. It was good to see none of these items were being sold and no other store items were there. It definitely was a place of prayer, petition and thanksgiving for our Blessed Mother and Saint Bernadette.
-Sister Jan Villemure
June 13
The relics of St. Bernadette were an occasion of joy. It was a blessing to be able to attend Mass and the virtual pilgrimage. There was a feeling of peace in the atmosphere. The best moment was of course when we received the Eucharist. Another powerful and healing moment is when we were sprinkled with water from Lourdes. This reminded me of my baptism and I felt a refreshing peace through my being. Thank you Jesus, Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette.
– Sister Maria Guadalupe Martinez Lopez
Prayer to Mary by Fr. Leonce de Grandmaison
Holy Mary, Mother of God, preserve in me the heart of a child, pure and clean like spring water, a simple heart that does not remain absorbed…in its own sadness, a loving heart that freely gives with compassion; a faithful and generous heart that neither forgets good nor feels bitterness for any evil. Give me a sweet and humble heart that loves without asking to be loved in return, happy to lose itself in the heart of others, sacrificing itself in front of your Divine Son; a great and unconquerable heart which no ingratitude can close and no indifference an tire; a heart tormented by the glory of Christ, pierced by His love with a wound that will not heal until heaven. Amen
Article Comments:
Fr. Placid Stroik, OFM 06/22/2022 @ 8:57 am
This example of faith with Mary and Bernadette reverberates down the years and brings memories and grace for me from Holy Week 1994 in Lourdes with these beloved.. thank you for this current rekindling of faith in our Lord through Mary and Bernadette.
Peace and all good.