Antiphon

Lord, Your Mercy is my hope, my heart rejoices in Your saving power. I will sing to the Lord for His goodness to me.

Today's Reading

Sirach 4:11-19

Wisdom breathes life into her children

and admonishes those who seek her.

He who loves her loves life;

those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.

He who holds her fast inherits glory;

wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.

Those who serve her serve the Holy One;

those who love her the LORD loves.

He who obeys her judges nations;

he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.

If one trusts her, he will possess her;

his descendants too will inherit her.

She walks with him as a stranger

and at first she puts him to the test;

Fear and dread she brings upon him

and tries him with her discipline

until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.

Then she comes back to bring him happiness

and reveal her secrets to them

and she will heap upon him

treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.

But if he fails her, she will abandon him

and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.

Today's Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady appeared 18 times at Lourdes, in the Pyrenees mountains in southern France, starting Feb. 11, 1858, to Bernadette Soubirous, a 14 year old peasant girl. A spring appeared there which feeds the baths at the shrine today. Many miraculous healings are reported from bathing in the waters. Many miracles take place when the Blessed Sacrament passes in procession during the great pilgrimages.

Let us pray today in honor of Our Mother,

Dear Blessed Mother, at the grotto of Lourdes you said to the little French peasant saint, "I am the Immaculate Conception." Through the Lord's goodness and mercy you were entirely free from all stain of sin from the first moment of your existence.

Blessed be God for this great marvel He has done for you!

I know He will do great things for me, too, although my sins make me unworthy of His favors. Please pray to Him for me. (Make your intention.)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us.

The Lord Is My Helper

Hebrews 13:1-8

Let brotherly love continue.

Do not neglect hospitality,

for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.

Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,

and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,

for you also are in the body.

Let marriage be honored among all

and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,

for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.

Let your life be free from love of money

but be content with what you have,

for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.

Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.

Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.