- svd-prms
- / CHI /
- February 15, 2025
Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in Osorno: A Celebration of Faith and Community
Every February 11, the Catholic Church commemorates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, remembering the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette in 1858.
This devotion has inspired many communities around the world, including the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Osorno, Chile, which this year celebrated its patronal feast under the theme “With Mary, pilgrims of hope.”
Starting on February 3, the parish community experienced an intense Parish Week, with various pastoral activities preparing the faithful for the great day.
A Novena and special Masses were held, highlighting days dedicated to the family, the elderly, and parish communities, including the chapels of Christ the King and Saint Jude Thaddeus.
One of the most significant moments was the visit to the sick, where the parish priest, Father Juan Delau, together with the Ministers of Communion, brought the Church’s blessing and comfort to those in need.
In this act of Christian love, Saint Arnold Janssen and Saint Joseph Freinademetz, pillars of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD), were also remembered with gratitude.
The parish also reaffirmed its spirit of hospitality by dedicating a special day to immigrants, with the participation of faithful from Argentina, Venezuela, Haiti, and Spain. Another emotional moment was the prayer service for the deceased, where the community remembered their loved ones who had passed away.
On February 10, the celebration took on special significance with the visit of Father Yuventus Kota, SVD, Provincial Superior of the Divine Word Missionaries in Chile, who, along with other priests, shared their faith with the parishioners through Masses and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
One of the most notable highlights was the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Erasmo Beghu, SVD, attended by the Ambassador of Indonesia to Chile and his family.
In a gesture of fraternity and cultural richness, Indonesian SVD priests performed beautiful religious hymns in their native language, offering the community a moment of prayer and spiritual joy.
On February 11, the central day of the feast, the celebrations began with the traditional Dawn Rosary, followed by Eucharistic celebrations every two hours and the recitation of the Holy Rosary.
A special highlight was the “Cantata” to Mary, where the Indonesian priests once again shone with their melodies, filling the atmosphere with spirituality and joy.
Another significant event was the Holy Mass for the Sick and the Anointing of the Sick, one of the most anticipated celebrations by the community, drawing many faithful each year seeking strength and spiritual healing.
The event culminated with a Solemn Mass, which coincided with the opening of the church doors as a jubilee temple. On this significant occasion, priests and missionaries from the SVD, parish priest Father Juan Delau, SVD, Bishop Carlos Godoy, and a group of deacons participated.
As a final act, the community processed through the streets of Rahue Bajo, carrying the image of the Virgin with devotion and sharing the joy of their faith with the entire neighborhood.
This year, the patronal feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in Osorno not only renewed the community’s Marian devotion but also reaffirmed its spirit of hospitality, prayer, and service, becoming a true testament to living faith.
Juan Delau, SVD
