Posted on 05/24/2011 8:29:16 AM PDT by marshmallow
Video: The 67 Miracles of Lourdes
February 10, 2010. Catherine Latapie was the first person to be miraculously cured at Lourdes. She was healed of paralysis in 1858. And on the same day she was cured, she gave birth to a boy who later became a priest.
Her spectacular cure was a test case that started an era of reported miracles thats lasted ever since. These claims have increased over the years, and led to the setting up of a Medical Bureau at the Marian shrine in 1905. The office studies cases of those who claim to have been miraculously cured.
Dr. Patrick Theillier Head of Medical Bureau, Lourdes
"Were receiving on average fifty voluntary and spontaneous declarations a year that works out at almost one a week".
About ten of these declarations will go on to be fully investigated. The goal: to ensure the cure is genuine and theres no natural medical cause.
Dr. Patrick Theillier Head of Medical Bureau, Lourdes
"Of course, people get better here simply by being in Lourdes, taking effort, time and money to come here. Its normal that people will feel better for coming here, so Im very prudent with each case".
Prudence is a key word for Doctor Theillier. It takes a minimum of 10 years to recognize if a person has been miraculously cured. The most recent certified miracle belongs to an Italian woman healed of a heart condition in 1952. The Church formally recognised the miracle in 2005.
Dr. Patrick Theillier Head of Medical Bureau, Lourdes
"There are three phases: the claim of the patient, the work of the doctors, and the Churchs confirmation".
The work of verification is meticulous and complex. Research is carried out by Dr. Theillier and his medical assistants before being passed on to the Church to make the the final decision.
Dr. Patrick Theillier Head of Medical Bureau, Lourdes
"The cure must have taken place immediately, instantaneously, and without convalescence. These are important and distinctive criteria because they dont occur in the field of normal medicine".
Since the 1st Lourdes miracle in 1858, 8000 claims have been made and registered by the Medical Bureau. But the number of genuine miracles is much smaller.
Dr. Patrick Theillier Head of Medical Bureau, Lourdes
"In the last 149 years, only 67 miracles have been officially acknowledged by the Church. Therefore, less than 1 percent are recognized as genuinely miraculous. This proves that the Catholic Church doesnt run after miracles, she is always very prudent with these cases".
Physical miracles are an extraordinary phenomenon
but many other pilgrims make their way to Lourdes for moral healing or spiritual comfort
less spectacular miracles perhaps, but nevertheless important for those Catholics coming to the most important Marian shrine in Europe.
Bump for later
Related threads:
I want to know why it was necc. to make the Mary figure glow-in-the-dark, and to have her suspended in the Lourdes water. Does she suddenly start glowing, a.k.a. functions like a dosimiter (radiation monitoring device) if the vial springs a leak?
-- Alex Murphy, February 6, 2007
I don’t know why it glows in the dark, but if it had “snow” in it, it would even be cooler.
Honestly, I don’t think kitsch manufacturers/purveyors give a lot of deep thought to these things.
Mary Unites Christians, Cardinal Tells Anglicans (Pilgrimage to Lourdes Called a Miracle)
Anglican archbishop comes under fire for homily at Lourdes [Ecumenical]
On the Message of Lourdes
Pope delivers anti-euthanasia message at Lourdes
At Prayer (Pope's pilgrimage to Lourdes) [Ecumenical]
Pope Benedict XVl's Homily at Lourdes
Pope Benedict goes to France, and to Lourdes (full coverage and links) [Catholic Caucus]
Pope to Pray for World at Feet of Our Lady (of Lourdes) [Catholic Caucus]
Papal calendar: Lourdes visit, four new saints and the Bible Synod
Lourdes and Penance(Catholic Caucus)
Vatican marks 150th anniversary of Lourdes girl's visions of Mary
Pope OKs plenary indulgence for Lourdes' 150th anniversary [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus}
On Lent... and Lourdes (Benedict XVI's Angelus address)
The challenge of finding peace in Lourdes
Anglicans keep Lourdes anniversary (8 bishops plan unprecedented pilgrimage)
Lourdes
Trips to Lourdes to Cut Time Spent in Purgatory
A Different Take On Health Care: A Trip to Lourdes (Catholic Caucus)
Catholic Church officials call for more clergy to work at Marian shrine in Lourdes
150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes (Catholic Caucus)
Pope: From Lourdes to Seoul, I entrust the worlds sick and suffering to Mary [Catholic Caucus] (Locked)
fear and loathing at Lourdes (French bishops shudder 'avec peur')
Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
Woman whose healing is 67th Lourdes miracle tells her story
Catholic Church vets 67th Lourdes 'miracle'
Our Lady of Lourdes February 11
Our Lady of Lourdes
Paralyzed Woman Cured at Lourdes Shrine
Lourdes Has Its 66th Officially Recognized Miracle
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.