After a serious illness in 1961 which hospitalized me for three months and after having been told by doctors that I would not live very long and would never be healthy enough to become a priest, some friends gave my mother and I the gift of tickets to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Like so many pilgrims, I took the bath in the holy water which started flowing when Mary appeared to Bernadette in 1858. I believe I had a healing which gave me back my health and allowed me to study of the priesthood, and the rest is history.
Needless to say, I am grateful to Our Lady of Lourdes and have returned to the Grotto many times. In 2001, I led a pilgrimage of over 30 people from our parish to Ireland and Lourdes. While celebrating Mass close to where Mary appeared to Bernadette, I seemed to hear a “small voice” saying: “Not everyone can come to Lourdes – why don’t you bring Lourdes to the people?”
~ Msgr. Morgan Rowsome; excerpt from his parish website ~
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
O ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comfort of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my suffering, deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests. Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory. Amen. (Source)
Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.
2 comments:
This was blogged several years ago, but I was looking for articles on Monsignor Rowsome today and so happy I found this. We lost this beautiful man on May22nd, his funeral is May26th in San Antonio Texas, then he will be flown to Ireland to his eternal rest next to his parents. RIP Monsignor Rowsome, thank you for being a part of my life and so many others!
Thank you for the update. I'm happy for you that you were able to find this post on Monsignor Rowsome. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
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