February 10, 2026
Is delicacy a rare quality? In our world, where it is considered good to be assertive, efficient, and quick, we almost forget to be delicate... Yet this is what moved Bernadette of Lourdes so much during the eighteen apparitions of Our Lady. In addition to the “gracious smile” of the luminous young girl, in addition to her “fine and soft” voice, it was the first time that the humble shepherdess was addressed formally. But that's not all: one must see with what respect, with what deference the Blessed Virgin spoke to her! “Would you do me the favor of...?” “ Father Laurentin, in his book Bernadette Speaks to You, points out that when the Blessed Virgin asks Bernadette to crawl on her knees to the back of the grotto, she adds: ”Would that bother you?“ What a contrast with the harshness of the parish priest who says ”What do you want? What did she say to you?"...
The Virgin Mary placed no obstacle in the way of the theological virtue of charity that she received in her Immaculate heart. This virtue was then able to grow and intensify. We can also say that the Virgin Mary uses her intelligence, which is also Immaculate, to move at the same pace as others. Her realistic and pure intelligence allows her to connect perfectly with others in their deepest selves. The result is an exquisite delicacy, which we see very clearly at the Wedding at Cana: a discreet, subtle intervention, respectful of the order of things, but not without audacity.
Catholic theology teaches that while original sin has damaged our intelligence in its exercise, it remains intact in its ability to touch reality as it is. Our capacity for love, on the other hand, has been damaged, but we can direct it and make it grow through true friendship, and above all, we can allow it to be transformed by the action of charity. Following the example of the Virgin Mary, listening to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, let us learn to use our intelligence in its highest form, let us rely on charity: then we will see blossom that beautiful flower which is delicacy, so necessary, so consoling!
