So they arrived.  They are a varied group with many veterans. 11 of them have passed out of the Youth Pilgrimage and have entered their stage with the Hopitalite Notre Dame. After arrival, they changed into uniform – the guys in Stage received their straps – and we began the orientation.

As with the last group, they now required to go through a formation. That’s right – summer school of sorts but a good idea given what they will be doing here.  Flexibility is a necessary part of the Lourdes experience.

Tired as they were, we embarked on the traditional tour of the footsteps of St. Bernadette.  In a very tangible way, Lourdes is about Bernadette as much as all the other aspects of this sacred place.  To appreciate what happened (and happens) here, you first have to understand her and her experience. God worked through human agents and still does. after Mass, the Pledge, and Crosses for the new pilgrims,we headed off for a post-dinner tour of the Domain – the Sanctuaries, Baths and the Grotto itself where they will spend the majority of the next week. After a short Reflection, these weary pilgrims found the consoling welcome of sleep.

We hope.

Here are some shots of the day:

 

 

 

 

 

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