Visitng Lourdes France

After a few years of no traveling, I finally made it overseas.  While the trip was too ambitious in the ground that I aimed to cover; thus, a bit hectic – there were moments when I had to pinch myself.  I began in Portugal and was really looking forward to Santiago de Compostela – the resting place of Saint James, disciple of Jesus and also the end of The Way.  Yet, because it was the day after a full day of travel, we were running late and then it started to rain that that visit was almost like it never happened.  My hope was to sit in a pew and just enjoy the fact that I was there, but the tour of the church happened so quick that there was no moment to gather my thoughts or do more than light a votive.  Fatima was almost equally rushed and I was beginning to think that my trip was going to be a race to get to the next place and for the most part it was a bit of a rush. However, even in a blitz God can reach us.

Where is Judas?

The question I have been getting is, “What was your favorite place from your trip?”  Since, I had already been to Italy before – my favorite place this time was Lourdes.  A small town situated in the Pyreness of France that gets as many visitors as the bigger more famous Paris.  This holy site brings in pilgrims from all over the world as it’s one of the most spiritual cities famous for its healing waters.  The Sanctuary de Notre Dame is the site where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette.  Since, Lourdes has become a major place for Catholics to visit and also a place known for many miraculous healings.  The first day I arrived in Lourdes, I was exhausted from all the travel, but mustered the energy to attend the vigil.  As I made my way to the sanctuary I was blown away by its beauty – the architecture, the mosaics the lighting- perfection. 

Then I was directed to the back of the sanctuary and before I knew it I was in a line walking towards the grotto.  It was at this time that I lost it and began to sob.  Tears rolled down my eyes.  I was utterly overwhelmed by the place.  I felt so fortunate to be there so undeserving…  As, I got closer and began to touch the rocks, see the image of Mary looking over me and touch the stream of water I just wanted to stay there. However, I was in a line and people after me needed to come close too so I made my way out and joined the procession.  Even though I was exhausted from traveling – I felt so light and so connected to the world as I heard the prayers in so many languages.  At moments like this, I always wish that all my loved ones could be there with me sharing in faith and communion with God and His people.  So, spiritually I carried all my loved ones and their petitions along the procession. 

The next morning, I got to tour the grounds by day and then had the afternoon at leisure.  I decided to return to the grotto that afternoon to fill my bottle with holy water (per my mother’s request) and as I was filling up it started to pour.  It rained so hard and I didn’t have any type of protection from the water and soon I was drenched.  I made my way back to the hotel in the pouring rain laughing thinking my mom would get a kick out of this story - of how I got drenched getting the holy water from Lourdes for her.  That night it rained and still the pilgrims participated in the vigil.  I was too scared to get sick so, I opened my hotel window and listened to the prayers that second night and again I felt so grateful that my journey carried me to such a holy site.