O Immaculate Virgin Mary, you are the refuge of sinners, the health of the sick, and the comfort of the afflicted. By your appearances at the Grotto of Lourdes you made it a privileged sanctuary where your favors are given to people streaming to it from the whole world. Over the years countless sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities – whether of soul, mind, or body. Therefore I come with limitless confidence to implore your motherly intercession.

Loving Mother, obtain the grant of my requests. Let me strive to imitate your virtues on earth so that I may one day share your glory in heaven.

First Day: THE VIRGIN’S NAME WAS MARY
Scripture Reading: “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke 1:26-28).

Prayer: Sometimes the messages God sends into my life are difficult to hear, as you told Bernadette. I need to do penance for the salvation of my life and all those in this world whom God loves. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention.)

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

Second Day: THE LORD IS WITH YOU
Scripture Reading: “He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favored! The Lord is with you’” (Luke 1:28-29).

Prayer: You came to seek out Bernadette for the love you bear your children on this earth. In telling her what pleased God you could tell us all! Help me to rejoice and tell others wha God wants of them. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention.)

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

Third Day: SHE WAS DISTURBED
Scripture Reading: “She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean” (Luke 1:29-30).

Prayer: Often I am disturbed, as was Bernadette, when I hear of how poorly your children treat one another. Help me to be the example of love and concern for others as you are. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention.)

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

Fourth Day: DO NOT BE AFRAID
Scripture Reading: “The angel said to her, Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favor’” (Zephaniah 2:3).

Prayer: Blessed Virgin Mary, who brought God’s favor to this earth, help me not to be afraid of life with all the challenges and changes it brings but to live it free from sin and please God in all things. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention.)

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

Fifth Day: HOW CAN THIS BE?
Scripture Reading: “Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’” (Luke 1:34-35).

Prayer: I often wonder how can my life be in such a disarray? I must do something to change the way I live so I may conform to the will of God and be an example, as was Bernadette, to brings others to God. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention.)

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

Sixth Day: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD
Scripture Reading: “Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:36-38).

Prayer: I know, because of your appearance to Bernadette, that nothing is impossible with your help! I pray for the health of (name) who is in disparate need of your aid. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention.)

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

Seventh Day: I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD
Scripture Reading: “’I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her” (Luke 1:38).

Prayer: Blessed Virgin Mary, you asked Bernadette to dig a hole in the dirt. She obeyed your wish as a loyal handmaid. God made the earth send out healing water. The holy water of the river has cured many. I ask that you extend the healing gift to (name) for body and soul. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention.)

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

Eighth Day: THE CHILD LEAPT
Scripture Reading: “She went to Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:40-42).

Prayer: In your greeting to Bernadette you told her you are the Immaculate Conception. Help me to be filled with the Holy Spirit so I may live free from sin and treat others with the same love of God that Bernadette had. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention).

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

Ninth Day: YOU ARE MOST BLESSED
Scripture Reading: “She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are most blessed, and blessed if the fruit of your womb’” (Luke 1:42).

Prayer: Blessed Virgin Mary you came to us to tell us we needed God’s forgiveness. Help me to become more forgiving and not to hold grudges so I may become one of God’s blessed. Blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared to Bernadette to call the world to penance, pray for me that I may please God in all things. (Here make known your intention).

Pause for Personal Meditation.

Our Father…, Hail Mary…, Glory Be…

Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me who have recourse to you, and obtain from Jesus what I ask of you!

(Nihil Obstat: Rev. Msgr. Adrian I. Dwyer, Meditations written by the
Rev. Francis M. Vivona, J.C.L.)