The Grotto at Lourdes
Creative Commons License photo credit: Lawrence OP

What do you do when someone wants to cure your child with Lourdes Water or the “laying on of the hands”?

True Story

“Where’s Aaron?” my mother asked while I was still putting the phone to my ear. I explained Aaron was at his house and we wouldn’t be seeing him until the weekend.

“Well, as soon as you pick him up, you need to bring him here. My friend got holy water directly from the fountain of Lourdes and she gave me a small bottle.”

I took a deep breath and knew exactly where this conversation was going. My youth was filled with The Song of Bernadette and books of Saints and miracles.

With more enthusiasm than I’ve heard from my mother in years, she said, “I’ll make the sign of the cross on his forehead and we’ll see if we can cure his autism and disabilities.”

I hesitated and didn’t say anything, but mom gushed about her friend’s trip, the history of Lourdes, photos of the shrine, and the walls of abandoned crutches each with written testimonials and pictures from the people who were miraculously cured.

My mom was eager to start her letter of Aaron’s miracle.

So, What do I say:

1. Mom means well. Her religion is important to her. She would love to be the one to “cure Aaron.”

2. This isn’t the first time this has happened. I’ve had strangers in the grocery line want to “lay hands on Aaron and cure him.”

3. I really don’t want to go down this road again.

So, what to do?

In the comments please share your thoughts.

Comments

Remember there are no “right or wrong” answers. Please share your thoughts. What would you say to my mother or another person who wanted to try and cure your child? Would you allow her to use the holy water on your child? What attitudes and messages does this convey for the individual, the family, the church, the culture?
Have you tried any miracle cures? If you don’t want a cure, what does that say?

Keep Climbing: Onward and Upward,

All my best,

Mary

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