Thorns Among the Roses--Part 4

     We awoke to the sound of the city of Lourdes beginning to stir. It was early, but people were already starting their day. Our hotel was in the heart of town and from the balcony outside our bedroom, we could gaze upon the activity around us! 

     That morning, Mass was celebrated for us at the Crypt Church. It was the chapel that was built at Our Lady’s request. It sits on the rock of Massabielle and is situated between the upper Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Basilica of the Holy Rosary. It holds 120 people.

     In the entrance of the church to the left, is a replica statue of St. Peter on His Chair, the original is found in Rome; to the right are relics of St. Bernadette. I was very exhilarated to venerate the relics and ask Bernadette’s intercession for all of my intentions, but most especially, for Sarah.

     We stood at the top of the Church by the immense crown, the views were stunning! The mountains, the buildings, the greenery, the people…all to give praise and glory to God!

     We then left the shrine area to tour the city of Lourdes. 

    We saw the outside of the church built in honor of Bernadette by Fr. Pomian, her pastor. The church was closed presently, due to necessary renovations. At the time of its construction, Fr. Pomian ran out of money and died before it’s completion. His brother raised the money needed and it was completed 10 years later. It replaced the old parish church where Bernadette and her family attended. The old church had been located nearby on the town square. It had been torn down some time ago. The baptismal font where Bernadette was baptized was preserved and is in the new church.

     The countryside is strewn with large rock formations. Huge fortresses are built upon the rocks. The cobblestone streets are narrow and filled with houses. We stopped to visit the place where Bernadette and her family lived for a year and a half, called le cachot meaning the dungeon: a prison that had been condemned unfit for prisoners. It was very small. She lived there at the time of the apparitions. Her father was unemployed, and it was the best he could do to provide for his family. The house contained some of Bernadette’s possessions, her bonnet, shoes, rosaries, and other little articles, along with family photos. Enshrined behind glass was Bernadette’s favorite statue of Mary, which had been in her parish church.

     We then visited Bernadette’s father’s family home. Her relations still live there today.

     After the apparitions, when Bernadette was no longer in Lourdes, her family was given a home, which had a mill so her father could take up his trade once more. Bernadette was not happy with her family’s decision to accept it. She did not like the idea of receiving the material gain from the apparitions.

     We left and returned to the shrine. We visited the underground basilica: the Basilica of St. Pius X. It holds 25,000 people and contains many statues and relics of various saints, which we had the privilege of venerating.

     After leaving the basilica, I got very excited because we were now going to visit the grotto where Our Lady had appeared to Bernadette. We would also have an opportunity to wash our face and drink the miraculous water.

     As we walked toward the grotto, we had to pass over a long bridge to get to the other side. The little stream that Bernadette, her sister and friend had waded through, is now a very wide river. The water separates one side of the shrine from the other. Walking inside the roped grotto, was more thrilling than I could have ever imagined! Being on the very ground where St. Bernadette saw her Lady, was so awesome! I ran my hands over the stone mountainous wall, which had been made smooth over the years from the millions of pilgrims who have come for all these years to this holy site. 

     As we walked out of the grotto area, my joy increased as we drew closer to the spigots of miraculous water. My husband and I both “washed” our faces and drank the water. I prayed that we would each receive the healing that we needed. I also did it a second time in proxy for my sister Sarah. I felt both peace and joy and was grateful to God for this wonderful opportunity. I also thanked Him for Bernadette, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta who, because of their generous response to Our Lord and Our Lady, many blessings have been received in both Fatima and Lourdes.

     We were told by our tour guide that we had free time until later in the day. Jonathan suggested we make a visit to the Adoration chapel. Of course, I was delighted to visit our dear sweet Jesus! 

     The chapel was simple and not very crowded. I was pleased to be there and have some quiet prayer time. Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament was in the center of the chapel. He was in a monstrance which was housed in a long gold cylinder shaped tabernacle which had a rectangular acrylic center in which Jesus could viewed and adored. As I gazed at the front of the chapel, I became very excited. On the left side of the monstrance is Rublev’s icon of the Trinity. On the right-hand side is the icon of Our Lady of Tenderness. I could not believe my eyes! There are the two icons that are on my blogsite. When Avia Joy was born, I called them her birthmarks. I felt like this was a little kiss from Jesus, telling me that I’d be writing again. I thanked Jesus for this wonderful opportunity to visit all of these holy places and to do it with Jonathan, in thanksgiving for our 50 years of marriage. It truly felt like a dream and my heart was enthralled with gratitude for this gift. I then poured out my heart to Jesus with all the cares, concerns and petitions I had been carrying for so many, to all of our pilgrimage sites.

     After spending time with Jesus, we walked back to town to have lunch. We loved taking in all the sites and people in this beautiful town. We both found it so encouraging because of the crowds of young families, sisters in full habits, old people, and young people who loved God.

     We had been anticipating the Eucharistic procession at Lourdes. We had been told that many healing as well as miracles have occurred during this time. As we headed back to the shrine area to participate in the procession, our tour guide explained that a special blessing is given to all who attend. Although we got there early to get a good place, the center part of the courtyard was sectioned off for the sick and those in wheelchairs. We had no idea of what to expect and waited in anticipation and excitement for the procession to begin.

     The procession originates in the Basilica of St. Pius; the underground church. The “Hospitaliers or Hospitalieres” and other volunteers lead the procession out of the church to the ground in front of the Basilica of the Holy Rosary, many carrying religious banners. They are followed by priests, who are pilgrims themselves, and then by a priest or acolyte, carrying a censer, a vessel made to burn incense, symbolizing our prayers rising to God. They are followed by escorts and priests, under a beautifully embroidered canopy where Jesus is carried in a monstrance by the priest. The priest, dressed in a white cope and using a humeral veil, holds the monstrance. This is done in respect for the Presence of Our Lord, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. They are then followed by the volunteers, who are pushing hundreds of sick people in wheelchairs, as well as escorting people who are sick, but able to walk. 

     When the sick are all in place, and preference is most especially given to them in Lourdes, everyone else who is present can come closer, if possible. Prayers of adoration are led by the priest, and all those present participate. This is followed by the blessing of the pilgrims, beginning with the sick.

     The priest, who is carrying the Jesus in the Monstrance, is accompanied by his escorts who are holding an ombrellini, which is a small canopy that looks like a very fancy umbrella. It is used while carrying the Blessed Sacrament to the sick and others. 

     It was so awesome to see the reverence and hunger of those who were waiting for Jesus to come by and bless them in some special way! I felt like I was back in the time of Our Lord, waiting for Him to walk by so I could gaze upon Him and ask for the healing He knew I needed. It was a thrilling and blessed moment! I felt like I was the only one, and He was there just for me…

     We were at the beginning of the group, next to the sick pilgrims, so it really was up close and personal. It is a memory I will cherish forever!

     I think I floated back to our hotel. After dinner, we were participating once again in the rosary procession. We decided this time to pray the rosary and view the procession from the top of the Upper Basilica. The night before we had processed with the thousands of pilgrims and wanted to have a vantage point to observe the experience in a whole different way.

     Once again, it was breathtaking: To see the thousands of pilgrims, all with candles lit, singing, praying and processing, while following priests and chosen pilgrims carrying the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, throughout the grounds. 

     Our Lady had asked St. Bernadette to ask that a chapel be built here, and that people would come in procession. The Marian or torchlight procession has been happening since 1872. What great and tremendous blessings have come to millions because of the courage, holiness and simplicity of Bernadette. It seems to me that Bernadette has more than fulfilled Our Lady’s request to her. All praise be to God for her “yes.”

     My heart was once again filled to the brim with blessings, hope and grace. We had another full and wonderful day. It was time to go back to our hotel and prepare ourselves for tomorrow, our last day in Lourdes!