Blog Response 10

Blog Response 10: Marian Apparitions and Resilience

By: JWilson19

1. What were some new things that you learned from the Marian Apparition projects (be specific)?
2. How did you see resilience at work within the Marian apparition that you researched?
3. Mary went through many challenges throughout her life, and managed to stay strong and never waver in her faith. In this way she showed resilience. Do you see yourself as being resilient? Why or why not?

In general, I learned so much from listening to my classmates' short stories about their Marian Apparition. I learned that Mary appeared to so many important religious people we have learned about for and for different reasons. The main Marian apparitions my class and I learned about are Our Lady of Atika, Our Lady of Faitma, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Knock, and Our Lady of Lourdes. Each one apparition is Mary, but in different forms. The one I found most interesting was Our Lady of Lourdes. This story is my favorite because I have been learning about her and St. Bernadette since I was little. Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to a young girl named Bernadette and Bernadette would obey and listen to all of Mary's commands/requests. Bernadette is also my Confirmation name, so she has been my favorite saint. Mary appeared to many to spread her faith and so the people started to preach more and spread their faith. She continued her work after her death. The people she talked to and Mary herself demonstrated strength and faith.

During this project, we learned that the people Mary was communicating to went through difficult times. People were claiming that they were telling a lie and no should believe her. St. Bernadette went to the local priest to say that Mary wanted a chapel to be built, but he did not believe her. Bernadette did not stop believing and was able to get back up and still preach. She did not let the disbelievers get in her way. Mary also helped them when they were going through this. She performed miracles so people who see that they have strong faith. When she dug up soil from the ground water started spreading everywhere. It later became a spring and people go there and are healed from their disease and sickness.

Mary has been through so much through her life. Seeing her son die was the most hard thing to see. A mother would never want their child suffer, but somehow she stayed strong. Mary showed resilience when this happened. She managed to stay strong with her faith and doubt her belief. She knew that Jesus was destined from this and she will one day be with him again. I believe I show resilience at times, but it is very difficult. I am able to get back up when something bad happens, but sometimes I get very discouraged. I am sometimes not resilient when there is a death in my family. It is hard to believe that they were taken away, but I believe that are happy in heaven with God and other people I love.

Pictures/Resources:
Information: The stories from my book
"Nativity Colouring Pages." Activity Village. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/nativity-colouring-pages>.

"Our Lady of Lourdes." St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <http://saintstans.org/our-lady-of-lourdes>. 
Addington-Ferris, Tasha. "Resilience." Tasha Addington-Ferris. N.p., 13 Oct. 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <https://ds.lclark.edu/taddingtonferris/2015/10/13/resilience/>.