S6 E4 Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette with Dan and Lauren Johnson
Shownotes
The blessed mother, Mary, is known to have appeared to people throughout history for various reasons and, as a result, is known under many different titles that commemorate life events, like Our Lady of Sorrows, which we’ve previously discussed. But in today’s episode we are going to be discussing another one of Mary's titles that is related to where she appeared as an apparition, Lourdes France. For more than 150 years, pilgrims have flocked to Lourdes. In fact, it is considered one of the most visited Christian pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing approximately six million visitors annually. But why? Why do so many make the journey to this small town in the Pyrenees?
We hope you enjoy Jennifer’s interview with Dan and Lauren Johnson, a faithful couple who have a devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes as they share about her and Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the focus of an upcoming movie from 10th Hour Productions.
Our Guests
Dan and Lauren met at Franciscan University of Steubenville and both graduated with Theology degrees in 2007. They were married a few weeks after graduation and moved to Alabama. They now have 7 children.
Dan began his career serving Catholic youth as a high school campus minister and later as director of the Family Life and Respect Life Office for the Archdiocese of Mobile, where he launched Alabama’s first Archdiocesan Family Conference.
Following his passion for storytelling, Dan co-founded 4PM Media in 2014 with Lauren’s parents, Jack and Jamie McAleer, producing five feature documentaries and eight film series that have reached millions worldwide. He also built the streaming platform Wild Goose TV, now with over 60,000 members.
In 2022, he became President and CEO of 10th Hour Productions, a nonprofit film company founded to create original feature films and series for streaming and theatrical release. 10th Hour’s first narrative film, Bernadette and the Lady of Lourdes, is set to start production this Spring. Lauren, in addition to being at home with their seven children, has worked beside Dan in various capacities in ministry and now in film as an executive producer for Bernadette and the Lady of Lourdes.
Links
Bernadette Speaks (book)
Prayer for the repose of the soul of Lauren’s grandmother, Bernadette
Journaling Questions
What struck you most about today’s episode?
Do you have any special devotions to Mary under a specific title? What is it about Mary and that title that resonates with you?
Dan and Lauren spoke about how their relationship with the blessed mother evolved and how much Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette have influenced their lives. What is your relationship like with Mary? Have you found any of her titles to be especially meaningful or influential to you?
Have you ever visited a Marian shrine? If so, what was it like? And if not, is there one that you hope to visit one day?
Dan and Lauren described some pretty impactful experiences throughout the episode. What has been a life-changing experience that you are able to look back on and see how the Blessed Mother was present?
What is your mourning glory?
