“From the Archives” Monsignor Stephens gets an answered prayer from Lourdes

This week, on Tuesday, February 11, we will celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. When we hear about “Lourdes,” we may think of discarded crutches and miraculous physical cures. But for many of the faithful pilgrims who visit Our Lady’s shrine in France, fervently praying for a cure, the results are not always physical.

Monsignor Edward L. Stephens, Saint Mary’s Pastor from 1943-1959, is one example. In the last few years of his life, his health was weakened by serious heart trouble and deafness. Not long before his death, he accompanied a diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. When asked about the trip, he said he had not prayed for a cure from his deafness or heart problems, but for a happy death. The pilgrimage renewed him both physically and spiritually. Not long afterward, he was even able to enjoy a peaceful visit to Ireland.

On March 15, 1959, Monsignor was at his beloved Saint Mary School, handing out report cards. Each child received their Pastor’s praise for something they had accomplished, along with his encouragement. That same night he suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. He died peacefully on Saint Patrick’s Day, praying his rosary, a fine day for a fine Irish priest to be welcomed into Paradise. Through the intercession of Our Lady, his prayers at Lourdes were answered.

— Kitty Guy, Parish Historian

Throughout 2020, the Basilica of Saint Mary will present “From the Archives.” It is a weekly feature online and in our bulletin spotlighting the history of the parish. All of our “From the Archives” features are located here.