1858年2月11日,一個叫Bernadette Soubirous的14歲女孩同妹妹和一個女伴去山上撿柴。當其他女孩穿過石窟前的小溪繼續前行時,Bernadette留在後麵,尋找一個不會弄濕襪子的地方—— 她終於坐下來脫鞋準備過水,脫下襪子的時候,聽到突然的風聲呼嘯而過,舉目望去,除石窟自然壁龕中的一朵野玫瑰確實動了,而其他草木安然如初。 從壁龕,或者更確切地說,從它後麵的黑暗壁龕中,“came a dazzling light, and a white figure”。
這是Bernadette後來根據回憶寫下的18 次天使影像中的第一個。
'I noticed a lady in white, then I was a little seized, and thinking I was in for a bluff, I rubbed my eyes, but in vain. I always saw the same lady. (…) I fell on my knees and prayed the rosary in the presence of that beautiful lady. After saying the rosary with me, she motioned for me to come closer, but I didn't dare. Then suddenly she disappeared.'
同時,還有三個聞名於世的the three Secrets of our Lady of Lourdes。
1. 地獄中靈魂的幻象(A vision of the souls in Hell.)。
2. 對第一次世界大戰結束的預測和對第二次世界大戰開始的預測以及將俄羅斯奉獻給聖母無染原罪之心的請求(Prediction of the end of WWI and a prediction of the beginning of WWII as well as a request to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.)。
3. 教皇以及其他主教、神父、宗教人士和平信徒被士兵殺害的景象(A vision of the Pope, along with other bishops, priests, religious and lay people, being killed by soldiers.)。