Finally, the Virgin Mary herself gave the infallible pronouncement of Pope
Bl. Pius IX heavenly ratification when she appeared at Lourdes in France in
1858 and announced to St. Bernadette Soubirous that she was “the
Immaculate Conception.” The subsequent flow of numerous miracles
stemming from the waters of the Lourdes grotto attests to the authenticity
of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions and are a matter of public record for all
the world to examine.
The Fathers
Epitaph of Bishop Abercius (inter 180-216 AD)
“I am a disciple of the chaste shepherd … He taught me … faithful
writings. He sent me to Rome, to behold a kingdom and to see a queen with
golden robe and golden shoes. There I saw a people bearing the splendid
seal … Having Paul as a companion, everywhere faith led the way and set
before me for food the fish from the spring, mighty and pure, whom a
spotless Virgin caught, and gave this to friends to eat, always having sweet
wine and giving the mixed cup with bread.”
St. Ephrem of Edessa, Prayers to the God-Bearer (ante 373 AD)
6
“Most holy Lady, Mother of God, alone most pure in soul and body, alone
exceeding all perfection of purity ... my Lady most holy, all-pure, all-
immaculate, all-stainless, all-undefiled, all-incorrupt, all-inviolate.”
6
Enchiridion Patristicum, M. J. R. de Journel, SJ, no. 745.
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