Before arriving in Lourdes, I had often heard friends describe how their pilgrimage gave them a personal connection to St. Bernadette. This summer, I am assigned to St. Bernadette Parish in Spokane, yet I realized I knew very little about the young girl whose faith continues to inspire millions.

Bernadette Soubirous was born into a poor family in Lourdes. In 1858, at just fourteen years old, she witnessed a series of apparitions of a Lady dressed in white. When asked who she was, the Lady revealed herself as "the Immaculate Conception."

I found myself reflecting on how often God chooses humility to reveal His glory. Just as He chose the humble Virgin Mary in Nazareth, He also chose a poor young girl in Lourdes to remind the world of His love.

Through Mary's messages to Bernadette, God confirmed the truths of the Catholic faith and continued His work of drawing humanity closer to Himself. Since those apparitions, Lourdes has become a place where countless pilgrims come seeking healing, both physical and spiritual. More than seventy medically unexplained healings have been officially recognized by the Church, while countless others speak of receiving peace, hope, and renewed faith.

One of the greatest moments of the day was kneeling in prayer at the Grotto before the statue of Our Lady, the very place where Bernadette prayed and encountered the Blessed Mother.

Standing there, I felt closer to Bernadette than ever before.

Her story came alive.

Her faith became personal.

I realized I was standing on the holy ground.

Being here has strengthened my conviction that the same Jesus who worked miracles at the wedding feast at Cana nearly two thousand years ago continues to work in powerful and mysterious ways today, through His Church, through His saints, and through His Blessed Mother.

Pilgrimage is much more than visiting a sacred place.

It is a deliberate journey toward an encounter with the Living God.

The physical journey mirrors the interior journey of faith, hope, and love unfolding within the heart.

This pilgrimage is a tremendous gift from God, and I pray it leads me to respond more fully to His love, just as St. Bernadette and Our Blessed Mother did.

As our pilgrimage continues, I look forward to sharing what God continues to reveal along the way.