In French Pyrenees, Bernadette Soubirous, her sister, and companion set out to collect firewood on February 11, 1858. Due to her asthma, Bernadette lagged behind the rest of the females. All of a sudden, s he heard a rushing noise in the grotto at the base of the mountain, not far from where the river was. As she turned, she saw a brilliant light, and within it, a stunningly gorgeous woman in all white. Yellow roses lay at the woman's feet, and she was also seen to be holding a rosary as she drew near. In response to Bernadette's rosary prayers, the woman vanished.
Again, only Bernadette could see the woman when she returned to the grotto three days later. Bernadette was urged to keep returning to the grotto by the woman who had first invited her there. Bernadette was instructed by the woman on the 25th of February to drink the water she found by digging in the ground. She drank the murky water in front of a crowd of onlookers. The next day, water began to trickle out of the hole she had dug. After immersing her palm in the spring water on March 1st, a paralyzed woman's paralysis left her completely.
Bernadette was then instructed by the Blessed Lady to inform the priests to have a chapel constructed and hold processions there. A priest advised Bernadette to inquire of the Lady what her name was. It was only until Bernadette returned and assured him she was the Immaculate Conception that the priest was convinced the apparitions were genuine.
After the Blessed Virgin Mary made 18 separate appearances to Bernadette, a massive basilica was erected close to the grotto. Lourdes's healing waters, which continue to flow year-round for the benefit of millions of tourists, have been officially credited for curing 67 different illnesses.
