Our Lady of Lourdes Pray for Us

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes. I love that it falls on a Saturday this year. More on why later.

One of the marks of Catholic Faith is our devotion to prayers, and in particular to Novenas. A Novena; in its most basic form, are prayers said over a continuous number of days for a particular intention. A group can gather for a Novena such as to pray for a recently departed family member, or for someone who is sick. A parish may be working toward a particular goal such as feeding the poor or something as lofty as world peace. Novenas can also be offered up by individuals. Perhaps an expectant mother is worried about her unborn child, or a difficult decision lay ahead and the petitioner is seeking guidance. The word Novena is Latin for nine. Typically, a Novena is prayed for nine consecutive days.

Why nine days? With most Catholic traditions, the answer can be found in Scripture. The first Novena can be found in Acts. After Jesus was taken up to heaven (Ascension Thursday), the Apostles, along with Mary, went to the upper room, the same room as the Last Supper. There they remained in pray until Pentecost Sunday. There are nine days between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday. This was the first established Novena.

Typically, a Novena beings nine days BEFORE a particular feast day. A Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes would have begun on February 2, ending on the Feast Day of February 11. I find it interesting to note that a true Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes would have begun on the Feast Day of the Presentation of the Lord, or Candlemas. It seems fitting that the two are tied together since Our Lady of Lourdes is known for the healing waters, just as Christ healed the sick.

O Almighty God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did prepare a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we humbly beseech you that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind, body and soul.

Our Lady of Lourdes
Pray for us.
Saint Bernadette
Pray for us.

In the Name of the Father;
The Son
And the Holy Spirit.
Amen

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The best part of today’s Feast Day falling on a Saturday is that we can linger over a simple yet satisfying French Supper. There is noting better than to have time – time to prepare the supper, time to linger at the table, time to savor all the blessings from above.

A Rustic French Supper
Chicken Chasseur
Arugula Salad
Warm Bread
Wines

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Chicken Chasseur
6 boneless Chicken Breasts
Kosher Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste
Flour for dredging
1 cup White Mushrooms, sliced
1 cup Brown Mushrooms, sliced
2 Shallots, minced
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh Rosemary Needles, minced
1 (14.5 oz) can Crushed Tomatoes
1 cup Chicken Stock
1/2 cup White Wine
4 tablespoons Butter, divided
1 fresh Bay Leaf
3 tablespoons Flour
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
Crusty French or Sourdough Bread for serving

Pat chicken breasts dry; season generously with salt and pepper. Place some flour in a pie tin; dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess. Set breasts aside.

Clean and slice mushrooms, set aside. Peel and mince shallots, set aside. Peel and mince garlic, set aside. Strip Rosemary Needles from stems, mince and set aside.

In a high-sided skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Swirl skillet to coat the bottom with butter. Brown chicken on all sides. Remove chicken to a plate; leave drippings in the skillet.

Add remaining butter and olive oil. Sauté shallots until translucent, add garlic and cook for another 90 seconds, or until garlic is fragrant.

Add sliced mushrooms and rosemary to the skillet. Shake pan spread out. Sautee until mushrooms have soften. about 6 minutes.

Sprinkle 3 tablespoons flour evenly over the mushrooms, stir together. Cook for 2 minutes or so, until thickened.

Add white wine, chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and bay leaf, stir to blend. Tuck chicken breasts into the pan. Cover, reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Remove from heat, discard bay leaf. Plate chicken breasts surrounded in sauce. Serve with warm bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.

Original Recipe: 12 Tomatoes

Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Balsamic Vinaigrette
2 Garlic Cloves
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1 teaspoon Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Fresh Black Pepper
1/2 cup Olive Oil

Peel and smash garlic cloves on a cutting board with the side of a knife. Place smashed garlic in a small stainless steel bowl.

Add Balsamic Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, sugar, salt and fresh pepper. Whisk until sugar and salt have dissolved. While whisking vigorously, add olive oil in a slow, steady stream to emulsify. Pour vinaigrette into a salad dressing jar with a tight fitting lid, set aside.

Arugula Salad
12 oz fresh Arugula, washed and dried
2 oz shaved Parmesan
1/2 cup chopped Walnuts

Wash arugula, spin or pat dry. Place the arugula in a large salad bowl.

If vinaigrette has begun to separate, shake re-emulsify, then drizzle arugula with some of the dressing. Toss to coat tender leaves. Divide the salad among chilled serving plates. Garnish with shaved Parmesan and walnuts. Serve immediately with vinaigrette to add as desired.

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Looking for more thoughts and recipes for this Feast Day? Awesome!

The Story of Our Lady of Lourdes and Humble Chicken Stew with Red Potatoes
Healing Waters of Lourdes and a Three-Course Feast
What are Miracles and a Friday Night Extravaganza