Carmel and Lourdes

My thoughts turn to the wonderful St Bernadette on this her feast day.  She would have loved to become a Carmelite but her poor health would have made it impossible for her to cope with the austerity of the life.  However, ‘there is a strong link between the Carmelites and Lourdes. The last apparition of Our Lady took place on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 16th July 1858. Bernadette recalled that Our Lady looked more radiant and beautiful than ever. Due to the crowds the authorities barricaded the grotto.  Therefore, the apparition took place on the opposite side of the River Gave, in meadow land. There is now a Carmelite Convent standing on the site. ... While the grotto is busy with thousands of pilgrims the Lourdes Carmel opposite remains a place of prayer and contemplation.’ [Courtesy of the website of the Friars, Aylesford]  The Good Lord loves to reveal himself to young girls, and that is an illustration of what St Paul said about God’s strength being made perfect in our weakness.

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

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

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.