The story of the miraculous water of Lourdes dates back to 11 February 1858, when Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl, claimed to have had visions of the Virgin Mary in the grotto of Massabielle, near the small town of Lourdes in the French Pyrenees.

The spring at Lourdes:

During one of these apparitions, the Virgin Mary is said to have asked Bernadette to dig a small hole in the ground, from which a spring of water gushed out. Bernadette obeyed the Virgin's request and discovered a clear, fresh spring of water gushing up from the floor of the grotto. This spring of water became known as the "Source of Lourdes" or the "Miraculous Spring".

The events at Lourdes quickly attracted attention and caused great controversy. Bernadette was questioned by religious and civil authorities, but she remained firm in her statements about the apparitions. The water source was also examined, and found to contain no harmful bacteria, which was unusual for an untreated spring.

Over time, many people began to report miraculous cures after drinking or bathing in the water at Lourdes. These cures aroused great interest, and Lourdes became a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over the world.

In 1862, the Catholic Church recognised the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous as authentic, and the grotto at Massabielle became a place of worship. Today, millions of pilgrims visit Lourdes every year, hoping to find healing, spiritual comfort and inspiration.

Lourdes water:

Lourdes water has become emblematic of Christian faith and devotion, and many people continue to believe in its miraculous healing power. Bottles of Lourdes water are distributed throughout the world, and many people make the journey to Lourdes in the hope of receiving divine grace.

The story of the miraculous water of Lourdes is therefore closely linked to Christian faith, Marian devotion and testimonies of unexplained cures, and it remains a subject of fascination and adoration for many believers around the world.