Beautiful Lady of Lourdes

Today we celebrate the sixth Sunday in Ordinary Times. It is also the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Without Our Lady of Lourdes, there might not have been a Saint Bernadette.

It was on this day in 1858 that a young Bernadette saw the Blessed Mother appear for the first time. The Grotto nearby filled with a golden light as the beautiful lady appeared. This was to be the first of 18 such visits. On the first visit, Bernadette prayed the Rosary aloud to Mary as both let the beads of their rosaries pass between their fingers. On the fifth apparition, the beautiful lady taught Bernadette a prayer, which she recited every day for the rest of her life. It was a private prayer, not revealed to anyone else. Our Lady told Bernadette to always bring a blessed candle with her to the grotto, and this is why candles perpetually burn at the Shrine. When the Lady appeared for the sixteenth time, on March 25, she identified herself as the “Immaculate Conception.” Just three years earlier, on December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the Catholic Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, not only of the body, but of faith and spirit. While not everyone who visits Lourdes experiences a physical healing, nearly all have a renewal of faith that continues long after they have returned home. Some might say that is the greater miracle.

Often the color blue is associated with our Blessed Mother. In keeping with this spirit, I wanted to share yet another recipe featuring the sweetness of Blueberries. It is a wonderful meal to share after Mass on this most Holy Day of the Lord.

Beautiful Lady of Lourdes Buttermilk Blueberry Waffles
2 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
4 tablespoons Sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1 heaping teaspoon Baking Powder
1 cup Blueberries
2 cups Buttermilk
2 Eggs
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
8 tablespoon Butter, melted
Additional Butter for serving
Blueberry Syrup for serving

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients – flour, salt, sugar, baking soda and baking powder.

Rinse blueberries, allow berries to drain for a few minutes on paper towels, then toss the blueberries into the flour mixture. Gently fold in the berries until nicely mixed and lightly coated. Set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Melt butter in the microwave; add to the wet ingredients, whisk well. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, stir together until just combined. Make sure everything is moist, with no pockets of dry flour remaining while also not overworking the batter.

Warm waffle iron and cook to your iron’s instructions. Be careful not to over-fill the iron, the patter with rise and spread out as it cooks.

Serve immediately straight from the iron or place on a baking rack in a warm oven if serving family style. Plenty of sweet butter and blueberry syrup is always a nice touch.

---

I turn to You, Lord, in time of trouble, and You fill me with the joy of salvation.