The apparition and the healing waters at Lourdes - they are the story of our patron, Our Lady of Lourdes. This namesake parish in Minneapolis has a history of healing. For over thirty years, we have hosted Alcoholics Anonymous weekly meetings at our parish. More recently, we have supported the work of Rachel's Vineyard, a healing ministry for women and men impacted by abortion. In 2017, we were selected as one of three parishes to pilot work in the area of restorative justice and healing in this archdiocese. In the fall of 2019, we expanded this work in an intentional way to establish a parish-wide program, the Lourdes Pastoral Care Ministry. The four Ministry areas are, Pray, Care, Heal, and Connect.
Good and gracious God, source of every grace and blessing – you are love and you O Lord call us to lives marked by love, mercy, and justice. Today, we come before you to ask your blessing and favor, as we open our healing tent in a city and nation beset by injustice, violence, and polarization. We are here because without you, we are nothing and we can do nothing. By faith, we also know that with you, all things are possible. Help us Lord to make this place a place of prayer and healing and may your gracious blessing and love extend outward to our city and nation. This grotto commemorates the mission of prayer and healing that you gave your Mother and our Mother in faith – Notre Dame de Lourdes. We ask Mary’s intercession today and in the coming days and the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua, lover of humanity and peace, as today we begin our noble work of prayer, justice and healing. Amen.