Joe Pisani / The Diocese of Bridgeport
CV NEWS FEED // On September 7, St. Mary Parish in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, hosted its annual Lourdes Retreat, attracting an estimated 1,000 participants.
The event brought together participants from Connecticut and New York to honor Our Lady of Lourdes in a day of prayer, reflection, and petitions for healing, according to a report from the Diocese.
The retreat featured a candlelight rosary of the Joyful Mysteries, which was recited in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian, the report stated. Attendees also participated in a Eucharistic Blessing and a reception.
The retreat’s organizer, David D’Andrea, shared that he had recovered from Stage 3 cancer through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, according to the report. After this recovery, he held a virtual Lourdes Pilgrimage in 2019, and the retreats followed.
“I am a devout Catholic and Mother Mary is everything to me,” he said. “And I believe she has saved me a few times.”
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano shared in his homily for the event about a personal experience during a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France years ago. He recounted seeking healing for his mother, who was battling cancer. Bishop Caggiano described the profound spiritual comfort he received from Our Lady of Lourdes during his pilgrimage.
“She was there for all of us, her children, as a mother willing what is best for them,” the Bishop said, according to the report. “She offered me the gift of healing: healing of my spirit, healing from all that confusion … and a bit of anger.”
Bishop Caggiano reminded the attendees that Mary will “not always heal us physically, but she can always offer us a path to greater peace, to greater hope, to greatness in our spirit, because she dwells within us, leading us to her Son, who is here before us in his Eucharistic Presence.”
“She is the conduit and intercessor of all the graces that literally are flowing before us from him,” he said.
