A Special Day in a Special Place

Following on from reflections on St Bernadette yesterday, more thoughts on Carmel and Lourdes.  Mother Theresa of Jesus arrived in Lourdes to found the community of the Carmel of Lourdes on July 16, 1876.  It happens that 16 July (1858) was the day of the 18th and last apparition of Mary to Bernadette.  And of course this same July 16 is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Lourdes is special for me in all sorts of ways but one of the beauties of the shrine is that I find I carry it around with me in my mind and my heart.  I can always go there inwardly.  To discover such close connections with Carmel is a delight.

Intercessions

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Hilary Solomon, Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.