From February 11 to July 16, 1858, the Blessed Virgin came down eighteen times from heaven (Introit), and showed herself to St. Bernadette Soubirous (Collect), in the cave of the rock at Massabielle (Gradual). On March 25, she said to the little shepherdess of 14 years of age: "I am the Immaculate Conception." To-day's feast therefore recalls Mary's triumph over the serpent (Tract) which the septuagesimal liturgy has in mind.Like the woman seen by St. John "clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars over her head" (Epistle), the Virgin of Lourdes "is clothed in a robe and veil as white as snow, she wears a blue girdle and on her bare feet rests a golden rose," all symbolic of her virginal love. She exhorts to penance the unfortunate children of Eve who have not been like herself preserved from sin. On the day of the Annunciation she declared her name to us, to manifest that it is on account of the Incarnation (Collect) that God has vouchsafed to her "not to be tainted with the original stain." (Tract).
Remembering that Mary is the ark of the new covenant" (Epistle), let us go with confidence to her who "full of grace" (Offertory) visits our earth to multiply in us the gifts of her riches" (Communion).
Vidi civitatem sanctam, Jerusalem novam descendentem de caelo a Deo, paratam sicut sponsam ornatam viro suo. * Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum, dico ego opera mea regi.
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. * My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak my works to the king.
(Apoc. 21:2 and Psalm 44:2 from the Introit of Mass)
Deus, qui per immaculatam Virginis Conceptionem dignum Filio tuo habitaculum praeparasti: supplices a te quaesumus; ut ejusdem Virginis Apparitionem celebrantes, salutem mentis et corporis consequamur.
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy habitation for Thy Son; we humbly beseech Thee, that we who celebrate the feast of the Apparition of the same holy Virgin, may obtain health both of soul and body.
(Collect)
From the Catholic Encyclopaedia on Lourdes: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09389b.htm
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