"The message which the Virgin Mary is going on spreading in Lourdes recalls the words which Jesus spoke right at the beginning of His public mission. And we listen to those words several times during Lent: ‘Be converted and believe in the Gospel’, pray and do penance". Those words were spoken by the Pope at yesterday’s Angelus. He also pointed out that "this year, the beginning of Lent providentially coincides with the 150th anniversary of Lourdes apparitions". "Four years after the proclamation of the Immaculate Conception’s dogma by blessed Pius IX, Mary showed herself for the first time on 11th February 1858 to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, in the Massabielle cave", recalled Benedict XVI: "Later on, there were more apparitions accompanied by extraordinary events. In the end, the Holy Virgin took leave by revealing the young seer, in the local dialect: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception’". Then, the Pope entrusted to Mary "the sick, and those who take care of them with love, too", with reference to the World Day of the Sick, taking place today. "I will pray for them in silence and meditation. I will also pray for all the needs of the Church and of the world", concluded the Holy Father, with reference to the week of spiritual exercises, started at the Vatican yesterday (until 16th February).
