Day 7 — Lourdes, land of pilgrims

Meditation

Millions of pilgrims from all over the world visit Lourdes each year. People of every race, language, and condition kneel before the grotto to present their petitions and thanksgivings. Lourdes is an image of the pilgrim Church journeying towards heaven guided by Mary.

Prayer of the Day

O Almighty God, who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, we beseech you that, contemplating the apparition in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body. Amen.

Opening Prayer (for all days)

Blessed are you, O Purest Virgin, for having deigned to manifest yourself, radiant with life, sweetness, and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to Saint Bernadette: «I am the Immaculate Conception.» O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comfort of the afflicted, you know our needs; deign to cast upon us a merciful glance. We come with immense confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the fulfillment of our petition. Amen.

(Three Hail Marys and a Glory Be).