February 12, 2008

Our Lady of Lourdes



Yesterday was the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. (For a great overview of this title of Mary, click here.) As some people know, this is an extremely important day for me, as Our Lady of Lourdes has been with me throughout my entire life.

It all started when I moved to Washington in 3rd grade and began attending Our Lady of Lourdes school and parish.

And then, in high school, my eating disorder developed. As written before, and as most who knew me at the time and thereafter, it was a dark time in my life. It brought pain and confusion, and yet God managaed to use this disease as my road to redemption.

As a result of my eating disorder, I was left infertile from my junior year of high school. Even when I began to become pyschologically and spiritually better in college, this side effect in my body still reigned. What was even more difficult was knowing that God had created my body, as a woman, to be able to bear life and because of actions I took, I had blocked this from potentially happening.

During my time in college I was more than blessed with friends who not only drew me closer to God, but also taught me what it means to be a real woman. And I will never forget all the times they prayed for me, did novenas for me, and pleaded to God that He would restore my womanhood.

And, knowing she possesses the Heart of Christ as His mother and brings healing to all who call upon her, someone we prayed to the most was Our Lady of Lourdes. Each year we did novenas up until her Feast Day on February 11th. We prayed at other times, as well. And on the Feast Day of Mary the Mother of God (January 1st) in 2005, I was at Mass with a whole bunch of my college friends (down in Vancouver at Our Lady of Lourdes!!) I felt the presence of Mary so closely and knew that, if I promised to abide by all God asked of me in my life, she would bring healing to me.

I said yes to her and trusted will all my heart my prayers would be answered. It was then in April of 2005, more than 6 years from when it all started, that I was healed.

And now, my husband and I are expecting our first child - a true miracle of God.

This baby symbolizes more than the miracle of creation. It represents a journey towards Christ - a journey that started rough, was tested and tried, and has ultimately been victorious. I still have a looooooooooooong way to go (as indicated by how often I need Confession), yet I can look back and see the hand of God so clearly in every step of the way. Not only do I see the hand of God, but I see the hand of His humble mother who approached her Son on my behalf and aided me in my requests. I am eternally grateful to her.

May she always be praying for you, as well!

3 comments:

kris said...

I have found too that "Mom" never lets you down!! The Blessed Mother has ALWAYS come through for me even when I haven't been her "best-behaved" kid!!
God Bless - Kris

Erin said...

Beautiful testimony...my sister has suffered with eating disorder since middle school....and just got married two weeks ago...I only hope and pray that through her healing and faith she can experience the same happiness and miracles you have!! Can't wait to see the little one!

Seminarian said...

Thanks for sharing Kristine. You guys rule.

I visited Lourdes a couple of years ago, and I hope you and Mike get to make it there one of these days. Its a beautiful and blessed place.