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Lourdes Poem - A Holy Place
A girl whom we didn't know yet, Walked with her friends along a path, Her name was Bernadette. It was 1858, and the town was Lourdes, The girls gathered wood for home. They came to a creek that was icy cold And the friends crossed it alone. Bernadette stood and watched them go She wished she could go along, But she had asthma, it was hard to breathe And she wasn't very strong. She watched and waited for their return, A Grotto was there nearby, When all of a sudden a strong wind blew And she looked up toward the sky. Then in the Grotto appeared a Lady Wearing a gown of white There were golden roses at her feet And around her a shining light. The Lady was holding a Rosary It was white with a golden chain She held it in her hand to pray, And Bernadette did the same. She didn't know who the Lady was She didn't speak that day Bernadette returned the following week Again she knelt to pray. The Lady “smiled and bowed her head” Bernadette was filled with fear She sprinkled the Lady with holy water “And when I finished she disappeared.” On the third visit the Lady spoke and asked her if she “would have the grace to return to the Grotto for fifteen days.” Bernadette said yes. The Lady asked her to go tell the priests They should build a chapel there Near the place where the Grotto stood A place of peace and prayer. She pointed to the ground by the Grotto And told Bernadette to wash and drink She saw “only a bit of muddy water” But didn't stop to think. She obeyed and started digging And soon some water flowed Over the days it became a spring A wonder to behold. During the weeks and months to come Thousands of people came. They never saw or heard the Lady, But believed in her just the same. She last appeared to Bernadette on July 16, 1858. On October 30, 1867 Bernadette became a nun of the Sisters of Charity. Over the years she was in poor health and was given the Last Rites four times. She died April 16, 1879.She was 35 years old. She was canonized a Saint on December 8, 1933. Today the waters freely flow With miracles and grace, Where Mary spoke to Bernadette There in that Holy Place. The most spectacular of all the incorruptibles’ is St Bernadette’s miraculously preserved body. The face of Bernadette is one of surreal beauty, and will remain for us always the face that gazed into the eyes of the Mother of God. |
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