It has been a beautiful day here in Lourdes. The weather was overcast and the temperature was very mild . Today began early with the pilgrims going to the Baths and some of them the Grotto itself.
I went down and checked in on them. They all looked very happy to be doing the work they came here to do. And every report indicates they are doing it very well.
We had Mass after lunch. The opening hymn was “America the beautiful.” It may sound strange, but actually it’s fit in with the readings of the day. I don’t know if whoever chose it knew that , but considering the universality of the church which we experience here, it is an affirmation of the goodness we know in our homes but that we also share throughout the entire church.
We then went to the Domain for a presentation by Dr. Alessandro of the medical bureau of Lourdes. He presented to the group, as he has the first , the structure and history of the medical review of inexplicable cures here. The pilgrims were a bit sleepy, but were obviously informed and entertain.
Right now, we have just finished dinner and are trying to get the video system working to watch the movie “Bernadette” that we see on every pilgrimage.
But are a few pilgrims thoughts thus far:
- Lourdes presents an incredible comforting and welcoming presence that allows the pilgrims to feel encouraged and assured
- The incredible and interesting ways of different languages and nationalities coming together through the Catholic church
- How each task and activity we participate in, whether working in the Baths, Grotto, or Formation courses, we learn something incredibly important and valuable that we can take with us throughout life
- In Lourdes, there is a lot of waiting – “hurry up and wait”. But during this waiting, we have learned to reflect and pray during our waiting. It is during these times that we are able to slow our busy days down and review all the incredible lessons that we have learned and experienced.
