“We stand together here in Lourdes, which casts its own influence on us. We meditate on the miracle of Bernadette and the miracles that have been wrought here so many times over so many years. Since the wondrous apparition of Mary to the little 14-year-old in 1858, those experiences have had a profound impact on the world. We reflect on what a miracle is: It may not be a cure, but it may be a grace given to all pilgrims who come here—the miracle of serenity in the love of the Virgin Mary, the miracle of unconditional kindness to others, the miracle of tolerance, and the miracle that helps us understand that we are part of the same great spiritual family.”