By Joe Pisani

STAMFORD — They came to Our Lady of Lourdes, looking for hope and healing. And she heard their prayers.

A troubled marriage, a son with an addiction, survivors of sexual abuse, a father diagnosed with ALS, and many others whose suffering was known only to them and the Mother of God. They celebrated Mass, they prayed the rosary, they processed, they heard stories of healing.

Hundreds of faithful from throughout the diocese and beyond brought their petitions to the Blessed Mother during the fifth annual Lourdes Retreat and Mass of Hope & Healing at St. Mary of Stamford Parish on September 27.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano celebrated Mass with Father Juan Colon, assisted by Deacon John DiTaranto. A woman named Grace offered a testimony of her brother who experienced a healing after being diagnosed with stage-three cancer because of the prayers of family and friends and people across the country.

Bishop Caggiano’s homily gave a clear message: “There can be no healing of any kind unless you and I are people of hope.”

He talked about Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit to Lourdes the day before, which brought a quarter of a million people to the shrine, where he told them to be “missionaries of hope” in a country considered the most secular in Europe.

Lourdes, France, is most famous Marian shrine in the world, and more than 7,000 healings have been attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes.

The bishop said that in Lourdes — as in Stamford — there were many different reasons people come to Our Lady.

“Of those 250,000 people who gathered, some came because they looked for physical healing. Perhaps it was a disease they have been battling, perhaps even more so, a disease that a relative or friend is battling. Some came with wounds, wounds at times self-inflicted by our sinfulness and carelessness. Wounds that were inflicted by others that have cut deep, wounds that have cut within our hearts, wounds that perhaps take a lifetime to heal, years perhaps even to admit they are there. But they all came looking for healing.”

He told the packed church they were no different.

“My dear friends, perhaps there are those here tonight who will leave with their physical suffering eased,” he said. “Perhaps you will leave this sacred place, and a wound that you have carried has become lighter, perhaps even healed. Perhaps you have come here with a sin that you have battled a long time and have found the grace to conquer that sin in a way like never before. And for all those graces, we thank the Lord Jesus and Our Blessed Lady, who is the instrument of those graces.”

He said that God is always merciful and loving, and while he may not tell us why we endure suffering, he will never allow us to suffer alone. 

“For the Lord walks with you and me, even in our darkest moments. He is always there when we think no one else is there,” the bishop said. “He is there, caressing us, crying with us, holding our hand, lifting us up, giving us strength, leading us forward. For you see, my friends, hope is the gift God gives us.” 

In the world, many turn their backs on those who are suffering and in need, he said.

“We have too many who are alone in their suffering, except for the fact that Jesus does not abandon them or us. And whatever healings come from that hope, I ask you to leave this church as a missionary of hope, as Peter [Pope Leo] has asked us — to be the hands and feet and heart and voice of God to those around us.”

Bishop Caggiano also talked about the renewal in the diocese and the Church. 

“What did Pope Leo find when he came to France? A million people came to the Mass in the heart of Paris,” he said. “And tens of thousands of young people sang the praises of Our Lady in a stadium where everyone was brought to tears because he came as a missionary of hope …. Today the Church was reborn in France because hope was reborn in France, and as it was done in France, it is being done in this country.”

Linda Loglisci’s family came with a special intention: “We’re here because my husband was diagnosed with ALS, and we know the Blessed Mother will hear our prayers.”

Rosa Vargas said, “I am here because I love what the Blessed Mother is doing for humanity. I pray the rosary every day. We must pray for the conversion of sinners.”

Ive Lyne Jaboin said, “Mother Mary has done a lot for me, and I believe what she says is true, and she taught me how to pray.”

Amy and Roger Favano have come to the Lourdes retreats every year. A member of the diocesan sexual misconduct review board, Amy said: “I’m on the board because a family member was affected by sexual abuse in the diocese, so it’s important for me to come. This is not just for the board but also for the victims and survivors.”

The Lourdes Retreat was organized by David D’Andrea of Greenwich in collaboration with the parish and the diocesan survivor support group.

“I just want to pay back for everything that Mother Mary has done for me,” said D’Andrea, who is a survivor of cancer and clerical sexual abuse. “I have had health crises in my life, including polio and cancer, and Our Lady of Lourdes has been there for me every time. So I want the retreat to reach people who are hoping for healings, whether spiritual or physical. I know there will be some.” 

D’Andrea thanked Bishop Caggiano for conducting the retreat and for his inspiration and leadership. 

Erin Neil LCSW, Director of Safe Environment & Victim Assistance Coordinator, said: “The Mass of Hope and Healing is something our survivor support group is very passionate about. It’s a blessing to be together and pray for those who could not be with us. We are reminded at this retreat that we are never alone, even during times of illness, loss and suffering. God is always with us and will never leave us.”

She said it was a sacred event that reminds survivors of abuse and those who accompany them that they are not alone. 

Mary, a member of the support group, said, “This is such a special day that our group looks forward to every year.”

“The group is a safe place to lay down a burden I’ve been carrying too long by myself,” Michael said. “Being part of this very special day reminded me that healing can happen when we are heard, supported and never made to feel alone. I am grateful for our survivor group and for the opportunity to come together in faith, hope, and healing.” 

(If you or someone you know is a survivor of abuse by any person from the Church, contact Erin Neil, LCSW, Director of Safe Environment & Victim Assistance Coordinator at (203) 650-3265 or Email: [email protected].)