Some months ago, I had the great privilege of visiting Lourdes, France, for the fourth time. I first went as a college student, and the last three times I’ve accompanied the diocese of Leeds, England, on their annual pilgrimage to this holy place. Each visit to Lourdes has been distinct. This past visit had its own gift from Our Lady to me, and I’d like to share it with you, because I know it’s meant for all of us. (The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is February 11th)
If you haven’t been to Lourdes, one of the main devotional things that pilgrims do after visiting the Grotto (the small cave where Our Lady actually stood and spoke with St. Bernadette) is to light a candle. There is a whole row of permanent structures built for the sole purpose of holding and protecting the hundreds of candles that constantly burn there. As people from all over the world make their way to Lourdes, and some people have been planning their trip for years, they carry within their hearts an intention…a need…a desire…a burden…that they offer to God as they light these candles. One night as we accompanied some young people from our diocese in a time of prayer, I had a quiet moment standing before these flickering candles. The little flames seemed fragile in the wind, and yet also vibrant and strong. I gazed at the lights, reflecting on how each one represented a person’s heart, the special intention for which each candle was lit and entrusted to God. And then another thought occurred to me:
"In a few hours, most of these candles will burn out. The light will be gone."
This brought sadness to my heart. It seemed wrong. How could something so precious and carefully given to God just end in a little puff of smoke?
"I wish these candles could last forever, I thought."
And then another thought came to me, one that brought not sadness, but peace.
“Prayers placed in my heart don’t burn out.”
I immediately thought of Our Lady. Whatever we entrust to her Immaculate Heart remains there, long after a candle burns out. This is because her heart is so united with the Heart of God, which is boundless, attentive, and compassionate. He hears every intention we share with Him, and He holds it within His Heart. Even when prayers aren’t answered in the way we might expect or want, nothing is ever brushed aside by Him. It is always received and cherished, because we are loved.
Let us thank God for the gift of Our Lady and go with her to God in faith, trusting that every prayer we utter is never forgotten.
Sr. Thérèse, CFR
“She, in the exercise of her mercy, knows not how to act differently from God: as he flies at once to the assistance of those who beg his aid, faithful to his promise, ‘Ask, and you shall receive’, so Mary, whenever she is invoked, is at once ready to assist him who prays to her…This good mother’s compassion is so great, and the love she bears us is such that she does not even wait for our prayers in order to assist us, but, as St. Anselm says, she is beforehand with those who desire her protection. Her love for us is so tender, that in our wants she anticipates our prayers, and her mercy is more prompt to help us than we are to ask her aid.”
-St. Alphonsus Ligouri, “The Glories of Mary”