A Dream Fulfilled: Lourdes

      As I finished praying the rosary, our plane safely touched down. Filled with gratitude, I offered a prayer in thanksgiving, to Our Lord and Our Lady, for a wonderful pilgrimage to France!

     It was a nine-hour flight, which gave me time to process all that had transpired. This pilgrimage had been a long time coming. It was my third attempt to make it happen, and it finally did!

     I had no idea, why I was so determined to return. My first time ended in disaster and disappointment, but something within me couldn’t let go of the dream.

     My focus was to get to Lisieux, to see St. Therese. Little did I realize there was so much more to it than that.

     We began in Lourdes – the perfect place to start. 

     Lourdes is a market town located in the Pyrenees in southwestern France. The town gained much attention when on February 11, 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous saw a beautiful lady in the grotto of Massabielle, a dump at that time. The Lady blessed herself and began to pray the rosary. She asked Bernadette to pray and make penance, and to continue to come for two weeks. 

     Bernadette was not very bright and had not even received her First Communion. Many people failed to believe her, including her parents. Her mother forbade her to return. God intervened and Bernadette was able to continue her visits. On February 25, the Lady asked her to drink from the spring and eat the herbs. Seeing no spring, she began to dig and washed her face in the mud and ate the grass. She appeared mad! The next day the spring appeared and the water flowed. 

     On March 2, Bernadette was asked by the Lady to have a chapel built. When she brought the request to her parish priest, he asked her to find out the Lady’s name. On March 25, when asked for her name, Mary replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” This was not something an illiterate young girl would even know let alone understand. It became clear that the Mother of God was appearing to a poor, peasant girl. There were 18 visions in all: between February 11 and July 16, 1858. Healings began to occur from the miraculous spring water. The authenticity of the apparitions was confirmed by the Church in 1862. 

     Bernadette left Lourdes to learn to read and write. She was taught by the Sisters of Charity in Nevers and eventually entered the order. She lived there for the remainder of her life. Her name was Sr. Bernard. Lourdes became a major pilgrimage site and a place of hope for many.

     Beginning our pilgrimage in Lourdes brought hope to my heart. It was the perfect place to ask for healing and peace, and I was going to do all that I could to receive it!

     On our first evening, the Pope was leading the rosary procession! The place was packed, but we arrived early and got a good spot. Having not slept much at all, because of our long flight, we had not realized the difficulties that would plague us as we stood there waiting, for more than 2 hours. Meg and I soon realized the truth about pilgrimages – many sacrifices are required. We did our best to “tough it out,” but between the heat and the standing, it wasn’t easy. 

     All of our sacrifices were quickly forgotten when we glimpsed sight of Pope Leo. There he was, leading the rosary procession! The reverence along with the unbroken praying of the rosary, was astonishing! Here in America, there would have been outbursts of people, trying to get the Pope’s attention. But Lourdes, is a very unique place where reverence and silence is of utmost importance. The rosary, along with the prayers were prayed with devotion and love. The evening ended with an apostolic blessing, which we received with a grateful heart!

     The following day, we walked through Lourdes, to the Boly Mill, a happy time in St. Bernadette’s life, when her father was able to provide for the family. During the time of the apparitions, her father was unemployed. The large family lived in a one room prison, not fit for prisoners. This only added to Bernadette’s poor health and to the stigma of being an “undesirable.”

     Throughout the apparitions, Bernadette suffered greatly. Her joy was to see “her Lady,” who smiled upon her and welcomed her with open arms. Mary told her that she would not be happy in this world, but in the next. This proved to be true.

     The Eucharist has a very special place in Lourdes. Each afternoon, a Eucharistic procession is held, where Jesus, in the Monstrance, is processed throughout the crowds. Although the sick are given first priority, the healthy are not forgotten. Silence, reverence and peace reign, as the priest proceeds through the crowds with the Blessed Sacrament, blessing all present.

     The grotto at Lourdes is a very special place. The fact that Our Lady appeared there and transformed a dump to a very holy place, is mind boggling! Because of the immense crowds, due to the Papal visit, it was very difficult to get into the grotto area. We had to come up with a plan. The next morning, we would leave to visit the grotto right after breakfast. 

   Besides visiting the grotto, my goal was to go in the healing baths. Four years ago, when I was there, they were closed, due to covid. On my return, I was told it was impossible. Hmmm. Try as I may, I could not let go of the desire. Maybe I wouldn’t succeed, but I would do my best. 

     When we arrived the next morning, we were unable to access the grotto. Mass was about to begin. I decided to attend and Meg joined me. Mass at the grotto, takes on a very special feeling. Although it was said in Dutch, it was still easy to respond and take part in the liturgy. 

     When Mass was over, we walked toward the baths. It was already very crowded. What was I to do? Our pilgrimage group had Mass, a video and the stations of the Cross scheduled. These were things I had done in the past and I really wanted to try, so I stayed.

     My faith and patience paid off. After three hours, it was finally my turn. I had no idea what to expect -- my excitement and anticipation were at an all-time high. 

     I entered a small square room. There were three other pilgrims and me, along with four women to assist you. Each pilgrim had a helper. She held a large towel around you so you could undress modestly. The towel was then wrapped around, and you sat as you waited to be called to the bath.

     There was a curtain in the room which covered the bath area. I was called and proceeded behind the curtain where there were two women to assist you. They simultaneously removed the towel as they placed a large white wet sheet around you. You were asked to take one step down into the bath and pray to Our Lady. After doing that, you were asked to walk down into the bath, as they held your hands on either side. You then were told to get down into the bath and they quickly stood back up, turned around and stepped out of the bath. As I was doing that, they were praying for me to Our Lady and St. Bernadette. Although it happened quite quickly, it was done with reverence and respect. 

     The sheet was removed as the towel was placed around me. It was over! I had done it! I walked out, got dressed and thanked Our Lord and Our Lady for the blessed opportunity. I knew from the bottom of my heart, that I was healed in some way, and that I will experience the fruits from the miraculous waters.

     The experience was a true step in faith. I didn’t know if I’d have the opportunity. I didn’t know what to expect. It was not like anything I’d ever experience before. In fact, it didn’t feel like other spiritual experiences…but I knew I was supposed to do it. I was transformed someway because of it. 

     I visited the grotto afterwards, to thank Our Lady and run my hands on those blessed walls. The place where Bernedette dug for the spring is visible but is covered with a piece of acrylic. From there I walked to the Basilica and then to the Adoration chapel to thank God for all the blessings and gifts I had received.

     Meg and I met up and had lunch and then made our way to the Carmelite Monastery in Lourdes. The Pope had visited them two days before, and they were still basking in the memories. 

     As Secular Carmelites, we wore our ceremonial scapulars. We visited the chapel and saw a young woman praying, in the sanctuary. She was an Aspirant: someone discerning a Carmelite vocation. Her name was Jane. She was very excited about the Pope’s visit and proudly pointed out the chair where he had sat. We promised her our prayers and asked for hers.

     We then visited the gift shop and bought some goodies made by the sisters to bring back to our Carmelite Community. 

     As we walked back, we shared our experiences. I stayed at the hotel to prepare for the evening, while Meg walked back to the Sanctury to have some beautiful experiences of her own. We would meet for dinner and go to the Rosary Procession. We wanted to experience all that we could, before departing from Lourdes the next day.

     We had been truly blessed!