Day 8 — The grotto is my heaven

Meditation

Bernadette said: «The grotto was my heaven.» In that simple place, the Virgin manifested herself as Mother and Queen. The grotto of Massabielle reminds us that God reveals himself in the humble, in the small, in what the world despises. There where there seems to be nothing but stone, God makes living water spring forth.

Prayer of the Day

O Immaculate Mother of God, from heaven itself you came to appear to little Bernadette in the rough grotto. As she knelt at your feet, we kneel before you today to ask that, in your mercy, you beseech your Son to grant us the favor we ask. 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).