An anticipatory context
On 18 February 1858, during the fifth apparition, Bernadette Soubirous came face to face with the Virgin Mary at the grotto of Massabielle. By this stage, the apparitions were beginning to attract larger and larger crowds, and the enthusiasm around these spiritual events was growing. Rumours of previous encounters spread quickly, and people came in search of healing and comfort.
The Virgin's message: penance and prayer
During this apparition, the Virgin Mary reminds Bernadette of the importance of penance. She asked her to pray for sinners and to perform acts of penance on their behalf. This message became a central element of the apparitions and underlined the need for conversion and redemption. The Virgin's gentleness and her call to prayer deeply touched Bernadette and the faithful present. The idea that everyone had a role to play in the conversion of hearts and spiritual healing became essential. Prayer for others, a recurring theme, reinforced the idea of spiritual solidarity among believers.
An atmosphere of recollection
This apparition was marked by an atmosphere of recollection and silence. The pilgrims, witnesses to this event, gather around Bernadette, sharing a moment of intense spirituality. The Virgin, surrounded by a soft light, embodied peace and hope, offering comfort to hearts in search of healing. Although the Virgin provides no new specific instructions, her simple presence and message of penitence are enough to inspire the faithful to deepen their faith and spiritual commitment.
The growing faith of pilgrims
The fifth apparition marks an important milestone in Lourdes' journey as a place of pilgrimage. As the crowds continued to pour in, the Virgin's request for prayer and penance began to transform the spiritual experience of pilgrims. Numerous testimonies of healings began to emerge, testifying to the power of the Virgin's faith and intercession. The people of Lourdes, witnesses to these events, begin to realise the importance of the grotto and the profound significance of the apparitions for their community and beyond.
A call to conversion
The fifth Marian apparition at Lourdes is a crucial moment when the Virgin Mary calls for penance and prayer. This message, though simple, is charged with meaning and impact. Bernadette, faithful to her mission, embodied humility and obedience in the face of this call. On that day, Lourdes began to take shape as a sacred place where faith, healing and community came together to form a space of grace and spiritual transformation.
