February 10, 2011. In 1858 the Virgin appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, a small town in the French Pyrénées. There the Virgin Mary recalled the importance of prayer, the rosary, penance and humility. She also recalled God's mercy toward sinners and the importance of taking good care of the sick.

The apparitions took place in the cave of "Massabiel", where she soon began to build a shrine.

Antonie Marie Izoard
Director, I.Media Agency (France)
"It is a place where Our Lady chose to appear and speak to the shepherds, small, poor, simple people ... She left a message for the entire world and the Popes have understood this. "

The apparitions were declared authentic on 18 January 1862, four years after their occurrence.

Lourdes is now one of the key pilgrimage sites around the world. Each year 6 million pilgrims visit the shrine. Many consider the water there miraculous because it has healed the sick.

Doctors at the shrine have recognized officially 67 miraculous healings and more than 8,000 other cases are registered. Miraculous cures of problems as serious as paralysis or heart disease have been observed and are without a scientific explanation.

The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated on the day of the first apparition on February 11th.