double run

Church of the Lady of Lourdes, Singapore

The Feast of the Lady of Lourdes is commemorated on 11 February. For this occasion, Loving Husband & I planned a Sunday run on 6 Feb before the local celebration.

Renovation works were still in progress; when we visited this church last year on 31 Jan 2021, construction was already on the way.

Masses are currently held in a tent at the side of the main church. When we peeked through the gates, we could see Chinese New Years decorations.

When we returned home, Loving Husband wrote up a Facebook post for our visit. He discovered that the church was commemorating the Feast Day the following weekend, after the actual date. So we made a second run on 13 Feb to see if the church would look any different. It did not.

According to tradition, the Blessed Mother first appeared to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France on February 11, 1858. Since her appearance, a number of unexplained and miraculous healings from the waters at Lourdes have been recorded by the Church … Today, the miracles of Lourdes continue to inspire the faithful around the globe. We invite you to celebrate this Marian feast by reflecting on this prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes.

“Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of Mercy, Health of the sick, refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure for their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. Through gratitude for your favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen.”

National Shrine

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Singapore

Notes:

1. Feature Photo credit: Loving Husband – peeping through locked front gates
2. The feature photo is my contribution to SquareOdds hosted by Becky at Life of B: the odd here is having to peep through gates & construction hoarding.
3. These runs to the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes is part of our Singapore Camino, with a focus on the churches’ feast days.
4. Inspired by Manja at Embarasssment of Riches, here is This Day in My Blogging History

• 17 Feb 2021: Serenity (The Serenity Prayer)
• 16 Feb 2020: Being Found (taking each day, each moment as it comes)
• 16 Feb 2019: Red Earth (image, poem, song)
• 19 Feb 2018: Fun with Healthier Pancakes (questing for a healthier pancake)
• 17 Feb 2017: Stay at Home Moms: Best Tightrope Walkers Ever (recognising SAHMs)
• 17 Feb 2016: Life Imitates Art: have you played today? (image, poem)