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On the 11th February, 1858 Bernadette, a young 14 year old girl, together with her sister Toinette and a friend Jeanne Abadie were out serching for firewood near the Grotto of Massabielle. Suddenly she heard a gust of wind and looking up saw "the lady dressed in white with a blue belt and a yellow rose on each foot".

This was the first of 18 apparitions recived by Berna-dette and the beginning of what is considered to be one of the most remarkable events in the history of apparitions by Our Lady.

Lourdes is now known around the world as a place of pilgrimage for millions of people every year and many cures and conversions have taken place here.

Our Lady of Lourdes chose a poor young humble maiden of little education and simple of heart as her instrument to convey to mankind the need for prayer and urgent repentance.

Our Lady's simple messages to Bernadette continue to touch profoundly the hearts of the pilgrims who still flood to Lourdes to knell in prayer before the Shrine. They return home nourished by God's words, purified by the waters from the springs and strengthened by Our Lady's loving enbrace.