The origin of a global celebration
Every February 11, the Catholic liturgical calendar marks the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes. This date commemorates the first encounter, in 1858, between the young shepherdess Bernadette Soubirous and the Virgin Mary in the grotto of Massabielle, on the banks of the Gave de Pau River, in the French region of the Pyrenees. The event occurred just four years after Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, creating a deep theological connection in popular devotion.
The apparitions and their legacy
According to the traditional account, the apparitions occurred on 18 occasions. In these encounters, the Virgin, who identified herself by saying "I am the Immaculate Conception," asked for the construction of a chapel and the practice of penance and prayer for sinners. After a rigorous canonical process, the Catholic Church officially recognized the apparitions in 1862, promoting the construction of the sanctuary that today attracts millions of pilgrims annually.
A center of pilgrimage and faith
The Shrine of Lourdes has established itself as one of the world's leading Marian centers. The faithful come to participate in processions, bathe in pools with water from the spring discovered during the apparitions, and light candles as a symbol of their petitions and thanksgiving. The site is especially known for the numerous testimonies of physical and spiritual healings, which are evaluated by a medical office established at the shrine itself.
Devotion in Argentina
Devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes crossed borders and took root in various communities. In Argentina, and particularly in the province of Mendoza, the celebration on February 11 brings together thousands of faithful at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, located in the town of El Challao. This year, the Mendoza temple celebrates a century of history, witnessing a fervent day of religious activities that include masses, processions, and community prayers, reflecting the vitality of this Catholic tradition on American soil.
Original source: www.sitioandino.com.ar (published February 11, 2026)
Photo: Jean-Baptiste D. on Unsplash
