Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer for Each Day
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest thy shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, Saint Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” We thank thee for the numberless graces which thou hast bestowed and which thou dost still bestow on us through thy intercession. We beseech thee, through thy maternal heart, to obtain for us the grace to heed thy holy message and to fulfill our vows, so that we may enjoy thy protection on earth and deserve to unite with thee in heaven. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (Recite three times.)
Jour 1 : Day 1: In Praise of Holy Poverty and Humility
Méditation
O Immaculate Virgin, who didst choose for thy messenger a poor and humble child, let us reflect upon the virtue of humility. Thou didst appear in the grotto of Massabielle to Saint Bernadette, a soul unknown to the world, to show us that the treasures of Heaven are revealed to the little ones. The proud are sent away empty, but to the humble, God giveth His grace. As we begin this novena, let us cast off all pride and self-love, and in the school of Bernadette, learn that simplicity of heart which is so pleasing to thy Son and to thee.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Queen of the Humble, obtain for me the grace to despise the vanity of the world and to love a hidden and simple life. Teach me to accept humiliations with patience, that I may one day be exalted in the Kingdom of thy Son. Through the intercession of Saint Bernadette, grant me the special favor I ask in this novena, if it be God’s holy will. Amen.
Jour 2 : Day 2: The Immaculate Conception
Méditation
Let us meditate today upon the glorious title with which thou, O Mary, didst reveal thyself to Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Four years after the Holy Father had proclaimed this dogma, thou didst come from Heaven to confirm it. O Virgin most pure, conceived without the stain of original sin, thou art the masterpiece of God’s creation, the terror of demons, and the joy of angels. Thy perfect purity makes thee all-beautiful in the sight of God. How we ought to love this privilege of thine and strive ourselves for purity of heart, soul, and body.
Prière du jour
O Mary, conceived without sin, I rejoice with thee in this singular privilege. I thank the Most Holy Trinity for having preserved thee from all stain. I beseech thee, obtain for me the grace to overcome every temptation against the holy virtue of purity and to preserve my soul as a worthy temple of the Holy Ghost. Through thy powerful intercession, grant me the favor I seek. Amen.
Jour 3 : Day 3: The Importance of the Holy Rosary
Méditation
In each apparition, O sweet Virgin of Lourdes, thou didst appear with a rosary of dazzling white beads hanging from thy arm. Thou didst thyself move thy lips in prayer, teaching Bernadette and all the world the importance of this holy devotion. The Rosary is the chain that binds us to Heaven, the weapon against which the powers of hell cannot prevail. In praying it, we meditate upon the sacred mysteries of our redemption, and we draw down upon ourselves a shower of graces. Let us resolve to be faithful to this prayer which is so pleasing to thee.
Prière du jour
O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, who didst deign to teach us how to pray, instill in my heart a true devotion to this holy exercise. May I never fail to offer thee this crown of roses each day. Accept my prayers for the conversion of sinners, the needs of the Church, and for the special intention of this novena. Amen.
Jour 4 : Day 4: The Miraculous Spring, Symbol of Grace
Méditation
“Go, drink at the spring and wash yourself in it.” This was thy command to Bernadette, O Mother of Grace. A spring of water, before unknown, gushed forth from the earth, and from that day to this, it has been a source of countless cures for both soul and body. This water is a figure of the torrents of grace which flow from the Sacred Heart of Jesus through thy maternal hands. It reminds us of the waters of Baptism, which cleansed us from sin, and of the necessity of purifying our souls continually in the sacrament of Penance.
Prière du jour
O Our Lady of Lourdes, who dost bring forth from the rock the waters of healing, wash my soul from its stains. Heal my body of its infirmities, but above all, heal my soul of its sins. Give me a thirst for justice and for the graces which thy Son merited for us on the Cross, and grant the special favor I implore. Amen.
Jour 5 : Day 5: Penance for the Conversion of Sinners
Méditation
With a countenance of great sadness, thou didst thrice repeat the solemn word: “Penance! Penance! Penance!” Thou didst also bid Bernadette to pray for sinners. O Refuge of Sinners, thy heart is grieved by the offenses committed against thy Divine Son. At Lourdes, as at Fatima, thou dost call the world to repentance. This call is not only for great sinners but for all of us, for we all have need of conversion. Let us heed thy sorrowful plea and offer up our prayers, works, and sufferings in a spirit of reparation for our own sins and for those of the whole world.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, whose heart was pierced by a sword of grief, give me a true spirit of penance. Grant me a profound sorrow for my sins and the firm resolution to amend my life. I offer thee my small sacrifices in union with the sufferings of thy Son for the conversion of poor sinners. Hear my prayer and grant the intention of this novena. Amen.
Jour 6 : Day 6: Building the Chapel and Trust in the Church
Méditation
“Go and tell the priests that a chapel is to be built here.” By these words, O Mary, thou didst show thy will to be honored publicly at the grotto of Massabielle. Thou didst also show thy respect for the priesthood and the authority of the Church, which thy Son established on earth. Thou didst not empower Bernadette to build the chapel herself, but sent her to those who hold authority from God. Let us learn from this a spirit of obedience and reverence for the Holy Church and her ministers, through whom God dispenses His mysteries.
Prière du jour
O Queen of the Clergy, I pray for our Holy Father the Pope, for my bishop, and for all priests and religious. Protect them, sanctify them, and guide them. Give me a spirit of filial obedience to the teachings of Holy Mother Church. In this spirit of submission, I present to thee the petition I make in this novena. Amen.
Jour 7 : Day 7: Faith in the Midst of Trials
Méditation
Let us consider the great trials and contradictions which Saint Bernadette endured. She was disbelieved, threatened, and ridiculed by the civil authorities and even by some of the clergy. Yet, through it all, she remained calm, steadfast, and unshaken in her testimony, for she had seen the Queen of Heaven. Her simple faith was her strength. O Mary, in our own lives, we too face trials, doubts, and difficulties. We are tempted to lose heart. Let us look to the example of this humble child and ask for a faith as strong and unwavering as hers.
Prière du jour
O Mary, Help of Christians, be my strength in time of trial. When my faith is tested and my cross seems heavy, remind me of thy presence and thy maternal care. Increase my faith, hope, and charity, that I may persevere unto the end. Through the merits of Saint Bernadette’s constancy, grant the favor I humbly ask. Amen.
Jour 8 : Day 8: The Call for Processions
Méditation
Thou didst also ask, O Lady of Lourdes, that the people should come to the grotto in procession. A procession is a public and solemn act of faith. It is a witness to the world that we are not ashamed of the Gospel, nor of honoring the Mother of God. From the first small gatherings to the great Eucharistic and torchlight processions of today, millions have answered thy call. They come to sing thy praises, to profess their faith, and to accompany the Blessed Sacrament. Let us resolve to be bold in the public profession of our Catholic faith.
Prière du jour
O Queen of Heaven and Earth, before whom the angels bow, accept the public homage of thy children. Give me the courage to profess my faith openly and to live always as a true child of the Catholic Church. May my life be a continual procession of praise to God. I place in thy hands the intention of this novena, confident in thy power. Amen.
Jour 9 : Day 9: Our Lady, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners
Méditation
As we conclude this novena, let us gather all the lessons of Lourdes into our hearts. It is a message of prayer, penance, humility, and unwavering faith. Thou didst appear in the grotto as a source of immense grace, O Health of the Sick and Refuge of Sinners. To thee, countless souls have come, burdened with afflictions of body and soul, and they have not been sent away unaided. Thou art the Comforter of the Afflicted, the channel of God’s mercy. With the utmost confidence, we place ourselves and our intentions into thy motherly hands.
Prière du jour
O Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Mercy, I thank thee for the graces and lights I have received during this novena. I renew my consecration to thee. Be thou my guide, my protector, and my mother in life and in death. I entrust to thy Immaculate Heart the special favor I have asked. Obtain it for me if it is for the glory of God and the good of my soul. Above all, obtain for me the grace of final perseverance. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayer for Each Day
O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comforter of the Afflicted, thou knowest my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, thou wast pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence thou dispensest thy favors, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with fullest confidence to implore thy maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests. Through gratitude for thy favors, I will endeavor to imitate thy virtues, that I may one day share thy glory.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
(Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.)
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.