Thurmont, Maryland

Our Lady of Lourdes recalls 18 apparitions of Mary to a young French peasant, St. Benadette Soubirous. On Feb. 11, 1858, Bernadette went to gather firewood with her sister and a friend. As she approached a grotto near a river, she saw a light coming from a spot near a rosebush. The light surrounded a woman who wore a white dress and held a rosary. Seeing the lady in white make the sign of the Cross, Bernadette knelt, took out her own rosary, and began to pray. When she finished praying, the woman motioned for her to approach. But she remained still, and the vision disappeared. During another apparition, Mary revealed to Bernadette a spring from which to drink. Later, this spring would be a source of many miraculous healings. On the Feast of the Annunciation, she visited the cave again. When she saw the lady Bernadette asked who she was. Finally, the woman folded her hands, looked up and said: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Unaware of what these words meant, the girl related them to her pastor, who was stunned and informed his bishop. The apparitions culminated on July 16th of that year.