Mary, you appeared to Bernadette in the hollow of the rock.

In the cold and darkness of winter, You brought the warmth, the light and the beauty of a presence. In the hollow of our dark lives, in the hollow of the world where Evil is powerful, bring us hope, restore our trust!

You, who are the Immaculate Conception, come to the aid of the sinners that we are. Give us the humility of conversion, the courage of penance. Teach us to pray for all people.

Guide us to the sources of real life. Make us pilgrims in action within your Church. Increase in us a hunger for the Eucharist, the bread for the journey, the bread of life.

In you, Mary, the Holy Spirit works wonders: by his power he set you close to the Father, in the glory of your Son, alive forever. Look with tenderness on the miseries of our bodies and our hearts. Shine for all, like a soft light, at the hour of our death.

With Bernadette, we pray to you, Mary, with the simplicity of children.

Let us, like her, enter into the spirit of the Beatitudes.

Then, from here below, we can begin to know the joy of the Kingdom and sing with you: Magnificat! Glory to you, Virgin Mary, happy servant of the Lord, Mother of God, home of the Holy Spirit!

Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI to Our Lady of Lourdes