In 1858 in the grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes, France,
the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette
Soubirous, a 14 year old peasant girl. She identified herself
as The Immaculate Conception. She gave Bernadette a
message for all: "Pray and do penance for the conversion
of the world." The Church investigated Bernadette's claims
for four years before approving devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.
Lourdes has since become one of the most famous shrines, attracting
more than a million pilgrims each year. There have been thousands
of miraculous cures at this shrine.
A Medical Bureau was established in 1882 to test the authenticity
of the cures. The doctors include unbelievers as well as believers and
any doctor is welcome to take part in the examination of the alleged cures.
As many as 500 medical men of all faiths or no faith have taken advantage
of the invitation each year. Many books and movies tell the story of Lourdes.
Even Hollywood made a movie of this remarkable event in the 1940's entitled
"The Song of Bernadette" which won six academy awards.