Lourdes, France is a holy site for Catholics around the world. It is where, in 1858, Our Lady appeared to a young peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous. Since then, there have been numerous miraculous events that have taken place at Lourdes and it has become one of the most revered religious sites in the world. But what was the very first miracle at Lourdes? Let’s explore this further.
The First Miracle: Healing Water From the Grotto
It all began with a request from Our Lady to Bernadette on February 25th, 1858 - “Would you be so kind as to come here for fifteen days?” On the 15th day, Our Lady revealed her wish that a chapel should be erected on the spot where she appeared and that people should come to drink and bathe in its waters. Bernadette obeyed and soon after, miracles began to occur.
The first miracle was reported by Doctor Dozous in 1858 when he witnessed an incredible healing of his patient Catherine Latapie who had been diagnosed with bone tuberculosis and given no hope for recovery. She heard about Lourdes from her priest and decided to go there with her family. During her stay at Lourdes she drank from the spring water which ran from the grotto and afterwards experienced complete healing from her illness within three months – something which doctors considered impossible! This miracle marked the beginning of what would later be called miraculous healings at Lourdes.
To this day there have been countless cases of miraculous healing reported by visitors who made pilgrimages to Lourdes in search of cures or answers to their prayers. All these testimonies bear witness to how God performs miracles even today through Mary’s intercession at Lourdes.
The story of Catherine Latapie stands as testament to how God can perform miracles through Mary’s intercession even today at Lourdes. Her healing marks the beginning of countless other miraculous healings that have occurred here since then due to people’s faith in God and their love for Mary as our mother and advocate before him. For those seeking answers or cures for their pains, no matter how severe or incurable they may seem, know that you are welcome here at Lourdes where powerful miracles can take place through God’s grace if only we believe! May your visit bring you peace and comfort whatever your needs may be!
