Lent.

Today, I want to tell you about St. Bernadette and our Lady of Lords.

But first, let's talk about what we do during Lent. During Lent, the church invites

us to practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Let's begin by talking about prayer. Prayer can feel

like a big, intimidating idea. After all, prayer is talking with Jesus, with God. That's a big deal. Maybe you've tried to pray before

and you got easily distracted or you haven't known what to say. That can feel frustrating when you

know you're trying your best. St. Bernadette of Lords was often told that her efforts

weren't good enough. She was sick a lot. She struggled in school.

People were unkind to her and thought she couldn't handle important things. But Jesus didn't think

that. Jesus saw Bernadette's goodness and open heart. So one quiet day, he asked her to listen,

and he sent Mary, his mother, to speak to her.

On a cold winter day in France, when Bernadette was just 14, she went with her sister and a friend

to gather firewood near a rocky cave called Massabiel.

The other girls crossed a stream, but Bernadette stayed behind, afraid that the cold stream water might make her sick.

As she sat near the cave, something wonderful and mysterious happened.

Bernadette saw a beautiful lady dressed in white with a blue sash and a golden

rose on each foot. The lady smiled kindly at Bernadette and made the sign of the cross.

Bernadette rubbed her eyes. Was she dreaming? But the lady was still there glowing with gentle light.

The lady didn't say anything.

She just stood there and smiled at Bernadette, looking at her with great love.

Over the next few weeks, Bernadette came back to the grotto again and again, and each time

the lady appeared.

...