In this richly illustrated spiritual pilgrimage, explore the beauties and blessings of the Marian shrines and holy places of France with the Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Roesch, MIC, as your spiritual director and guide. You've accompanied Fr. Joe to Fatima and Rome. Now come along on the journey of a lifetime to the "eldest daughter of the Church": France! This latest A Pilgrimage with Mary immerses you in some of the many shrines, apparition sites, and gorgeous landscapes of France. From Lourdes to Laus, from Rue du Bac to Prouille, journey in spirit across the length and breadth of a land Our Lady has visited many times, discovering a spiritual landscape full of indescribable riches and extraordinary devotions. With the Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Roesch, MIC, as your spiritual director and guide, become immersed in the history of powerful Marian devotions given to us through some of the many French saints, visionaries, and mystics. Rich in beauty and blessings, this book will inspire you to ope

St. Bernadette’s impoverished childhood, her work as a shepherdess, visions of Our Lady, harsh treatment as a nun, and tragic death at the age of 35 are recalled in this groundbreaking book. Numerous Irish miracles and cures at Lourdes are recollected. Recoveries from cancer, epilepsy, lung problems, skin disease, pain, paralysis and physical disability are included. John F. Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Brendan Behan and Seamus Heaney are among the millions who have visited the shrine. You can read their stories, along with those of other Irish pilgrims. Using first-hand testimony, this moving and inspirational book brings you up-close to the wonders of Lourdes in a way you have never experienced before. Reviews 'Riveting story of St. Bernadette and why the Pyrenean town is a place of pilgrimage and peace’ -RTĖ Radio 1 'A deeply felt, warmly sympathetic and humane book' - The Irish Catholic 'Terrific read'’ - Belfast Telegraph 'A book that will make you believe in miracles’ - C103 'Brings readers close up to the many wonders of Lourdes' - Shannonside FM

The power of pilgrimages to heal and inspire.

"A charming and touching story that reminds us, with St. Bernadette, that grace is everywhere." —Robert Ellsberg, author, Blessed Among All Women The shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in southern France appeals to Catholics as few other places do. The famous grotto is a place of healing that attracts some six million pilgrims to Lourdes each year. One of these recent pilgrims was James Martin, an American Jesuit. Fr. Martin went to Lourdes to serve as chaplain for a group of pilgrims sponsored by the Order of Malta, an international Catholic association devoted to charitable works. During his stay, Martin kept an illuminating diary of his trip. His touching and humorous account of the busy and gratifying days that he spent at Lourdes is a vivid description of a place filled with a powerful spiritual presence. "Lourdes is now one of those places where I have met God in a special way," Martin writes. Through this diary, we are able to share in his journey and feel the presence of God that he encountered there.

Lourdes was at the very centre of nineteenth century debates on religion, science and medicine. Both the Church and secularists championed the 'miracle' town as crucial in shaping how society should think about the mind, body and spirit. Since the ‘visions’ of Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 transformed the quiet Pyrenean town into an international tourist and pilgrimage destination, it has been a site for controversy. In her well-crafted and carefully researched book, Harris deftly places Lourdes and its attendant spiritual movement firmly at the centre of French history and shows its significance in the country’s development.