Lourdes Apparitions

The Lourdes Apparitions refer to a series of visions experienced by a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 in Lourdes, France. Bernadette reported seeing a lady, later identified as the Virgin Mary, who communicated messages about penance, prayer, and the importance of faith. These events attracted widespread attention and led to the establishment of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, now a major pilgrimage site. Many pilgrims visit Lourdes seeking healing, as the waters from a spring there are believed to have miraculous properties. The Catholic Church officially recognized the apparitions as authentic in 1862.