Tinian celebrates Santa Lourdes Fiesta

The tranquil island of Tinian recently celebrated the Santa Lourdes Fiesta, with couple Sylvestre C. and Augusta H. Palacios leading the celebration, as has been their family’s tradition in the last 14 years.

Nestled in a cave, a statue depicting Santa Lourdes has been located there since 1991. Augusta H. Palacios, with the help of her husband Sylvestre C. Palacios, are credited for starting and hosting what has become a local tradition of paying homage to the saint.

For the past 14 years, after services, the Palacios couple, their children and the people of Tinian still join together like one family to have an evening filled with food and entertainment that all can enjoy.

According to Augusta H. Palacios, it was always her dream at that time to have a statue of Santa Lourdes placed in the area where it is now located. She has also been instrumental in the set-up of The Stations of the Cross in the same area.

Santa Lourdes is Saint Bernadette of Lourdes (France). Born Jan. 7, 1844, at a time of prosperity for her family, her parents and younger siblings lived in an environment of deep love and devotion for each other. However, hard times soon fell on agricultural France, and worse yet, a string of seemingly endless bad luck fell on the Soubirous family. Put to the test time and again, Bernadette and her family discovered the meaning of unconditional commitment.

In desperation, illness, and poverty, Bernadette, the oldest of the Soubirous children, began having mysterious visions at the age of 14. The combination of sophisticated revelations and Bernadette’s simplicity were certain confirmations of these apparitions. The entire region was soon in an uproar over the events. The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary spanned only six months, but no relief came to the Soubirous family. They came even closer together as they were plagued with continued misfortune through the time of the apparitions and beyond. The events at Lourdes only magnified the trials of Bernadette and her family, leading to persecution by many non-believers and authorities alike.

In 1866, Bernadette entered religious life in the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers, where she lived for 13 years at the convent of Saint Gildard. She died there on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35, and was buried in the convent cemetery. In September 1909, her body was exhumed and found to be incorrupt. Today it can be seen in a glass casket in the Nevers chapel.

Santa Lourdes died April 16, 1879 and was canonized by Pope Pius XI on Dec. 8, 1933.

Special thanks go to the San Jose Parish, Tinian Mayor’s Office, 10th Tinian Municipal Council, the Tinian Delegation, families from Saipan and Guam, the Korean and Filipino community and the people of Tinian for their generous contributions. (Joey C. Charfauros)