Some 10 years ago a very generous benefactor took our entire community of Sisters on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of our Blessed Mother in Lourdes, France. As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes today, memories of that pilgrimage are still fresh in my mind and heart. We arrived late in the afternoon and by nightfall we were standing in front of the grotto where our Lady had appeared to St. Bernadette. Words cannot describe the emotion I felt as I stood there, gazing into the candle lit stone opening where Mary once stood as she spoke to Bernadette and prayed the Rosary with her. For me it was a life-changing experience. The prayer of our community on this pilgrimage was that God, through the intercession of His mother, would send many young women to join our community. There is much work to be done in the Church to bring men and women into a deeper relationship with Mary's Son.
We were in Lourdes for the feast and were able to join thousands and thousands of pilgrims from all over the world to honor the beautiful Lady of the Immaculate Conception. One of the great joys of our trip was getting to know Bernadette, the very poor shepherdess that Our Lady chose as her emissary. What a great saint she is! If you don't reallly know her or know the story of Lourdes, I encourage you to discover the riches of this wonderful event in the history of the Church.
1 comment:
I was in Lourdes ten years ago Sister, but it was in July, so we were not there at the same time.
I will never forget the sense of stillness at the Grotto or the Candlelight Procession.
We went because of health concerns with one of the children. We couldn't afford to take them all, so we took the sick one and the eldest one and left the others at home with my parents.
I promised Our Lady that if my daughter recovered, I would return as a volunteer. My prayer was answered, and one day, I will honour my promise.
God Bless,
Jackie
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