The Lourdes Summer 2011 #1
22 July - 29 July
Lourdes Blog
http://frdunninlourdes.wordpress.com/
Past pilgrimages are archived there as well.
We have arrived!
Friday, Jul 22 2011
Just wanted to let everybody know that we arrive safely. It is delightfully cold here considering how hot we are hearing it is on the east coast and the Midwest. It is very nice through. No problems… Traveling that is! :-)
After settling into the hotel, we just finished our opening Mass and are preparing for dinner. We are fading out because we are all exhausted.
Tomorrow we start early in the first day of work. Will let you know how they all survived and it. Keep cool back home.
A Relaxed Day in Lourdes
Saturday, Jul 23 2011
Greetings from freezing France. We know how warm it has been in the United States and we want you to know, even as we are in sweatshirts and long pants, we feel for you.
This pilgrimage has begun differently from others I have been on. Due to scheduling matters, the pilgrims have had a more relaxing introduction to Lourdes than we normally experience. We began the day with Mass and headed over to the medical bureau where Dr. Alessandro described the process by which cures are evaluated here. I’ll are you post using an informative description of the history experiences so many come here to move to Lourdes. One interesting fact he brought up was that the Medical Bureau has authenticated over 7000 “inexplicable cures” although only 67 have been declared “miracles” by the bishops.
We headed off for a boxed lunch out on the Prairie. The weather was slightly warmer than it had been earlier and the sky threatening a little rain. We decided we would use this opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross at the lower stations towards the end of the Domain. Maybe it was providential that we consider the Stations of the Cross prior to the important work we will begin tomorrow.
Then we return to the hotel for dinner. Now, I know we are in France, but it was American food night here. We had pizza, hamburgers, and French fries. Tonight we are gathering to watch the movie “Bernadette” to see the great work that she was such a part of so long ago.
Day of Rest Monday
Jul 25 2011
Sunday is the day of rest. For the pilgrims here, it was the first day of work. We began with the International Mass and all the tasks needed. The pilgrims helped arrange the sick in their carts, helped with Communion stations, and the offertory. The International Mass is a multilingual celebration of Eucharist. The Underground Basilica seats around 40,000 people. Organizing it takes teamwork and cooperation. The pilgrims did a wonderful job and worshipped as they worked.
After lunch, the pilgrims had their first experience in the Baths. They assisted the sick into the waters or helped with the organizing outside. They came back with a very positive experience and it is refreshing to know how eager they were to begin work there.
In the evening we helped “run” the Rosary Procession. It was not the nicest of evenings as we began to be drenched by “Lourdes water” from heaven. Some of the pilgrims were able to participate by singing in the choir and leaving various parts of the Rosary. We ran home in the rain and came together for a wonderful reflection evening.
These pilgrims want to work. Everybody’s noticing it and they are eager to serve. It is a very nice group and for parents reading – we have had no behavioral problems. Yes, they are angels. Parents – stop smiling.
So keep cool at home if you can. Please keep us in your prayers as you will be in ours.
Blessings Keep Pouring Down Monday, Jul 25 2011
The rain continues to pour. Lourdes is wrapped in a cold grey mist but we are in Lourdes, not Aruba. I guess we came for the waters of Lourdes but never specified the form it would take.
The pilgrims underwent more orientation this morning. This is something new here and out of our hands. They truly would prefer to throw themselves into work but seem to understand that giving to others often depends on others rather than our own preferences.
In the afternoon, they learned to make knotted Rosaries and took to it like I’ve never seen before. One of them even declared he was addicted to making them! With this newly- learned craft, we had Mass and headed up to the train station for this next phase of the work here. Philip ran a brief and entertaining orientation that effectively communicated the serious importance of transporting the malades. In no time, the buses arrived and they were moving and joyfully at work.
…and then it was straight off to ‘work’ the Rosary Procession in the rain…with the seemingly standard charity and dedication they exhibit as a group.
They ended the day with ice cream, karaoke and a wonderful reflection. Starting tomorrow, I am asking them to help with this blog by letting them offer their own comments and reflections.
I think we all will love that!
Here’s what they think….
Tuesday, Jul 26 2011
I had been waiting for the opportunity to try and have a conversation with someone in Spanish, and Monday night at the Procession I was given this opportunity. I was able to give some Spanish-speaking women information about the Procession and where she should go and such things. It was such an amazing experience.
After a long day of work I had never felt so tired and all I wanted was to go and sleep but we made a stop for ice cream. At the ice parlor there was a karaoke machine and all the Malta kids got up and danced when the YMCA came on. All the people who were in the bar, whether or not they could speak English, had huge smiles on and started to clap their hands as we danced. Even though we did not speak the same language we could all have a fun time after work!
For the past two nights, half of the Malta kids chose to sing for the candlelit procession. It is a very impromptu performance, and people are asked to read and recite things as the ceremony goes on. I was asked to read the second mystery, and for some reason was struck with terrible stage fright. However, I got up, read what I had to, and I am so glad I did. Even though it was just reading and singing, I felt that somehow I had contributed to the malades’ experiences of Lourdes. I have noticed that even the littlest of things can prove just how rewarding the Lourdes experience is.
Last night at the candlelight procession, my job was to hold ropes to prevent people from entering the area too early. As the pilgrims and malades passed by many people would make eye contact and smile. This small gesture broke the language barrier and as the saying goes was “worth a thousand words”. One woman walked up to me and just repeated, “This is Lourdes, This is Lourdes”. It was pouring rain and a little cold, yet it didn’t matter because it was clear that everyone in the procession was so appreciative to be in such a beautiful place.
Today we helped the malades at the train station both loading and unloading. They are the cutest old people I have ever met. Whenever we go up to them to wheel them, they get the biggest smiles on their faces and it makes my day. Even if we don’t speak the same language, we still kind of understand each other. This has been a life changing experience and I am so glad I went!!
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, Jul 28 2011
At this point in the pilgrimage, we usually hit what one pilgrim called the “wall.” It is when we have settled in to the routine of our work. I’ve not noticed this in this program. Perhaps our changing schedule at the beginning has something to do with it.
This morning, I went myself into the Baths. I was the first one of the day and they lowered me in on a stretcher resembling a grill. Afterwards, I mentioned, quoting St. Lawrence, that “you can do the other side now.” The Spaniard who was in the Bath started laughing.
When I came out, I was greeted by our pilgrims. I got to see them working up close. They clearly enjoy what they are doing even if it is not as much as we usually do.
After lunch, the work continued at the trains and the baths. A few had the privilege of working in the Grotto itself. They assisted the setup and organization of the various language Masses. These few were rewarded with small pieces of rock from the grotto itself as a result of the recent maintenance on the structure.
They were very fortunate and know it.
We also attended and helped at the blessing of the sick with the Eucharist in the underground Basilica. It was an intense experience of prayer and reverence.
Due to schedule, we had the Mass in the basement here, had a quick dinner, and then walked the Rosary Procession ourselves. It was a time of prayer and reverence for all of us and you could see the effect it was having on them.
We returned for our reflection and a birthday cake.
What I believe the pilgrims experienced, and I said this at reflection, was Christmas. They saw the human and divine in their own experiences of the day. They were in contact with humanity not at its best. And they took that in prayer to the Rosary as they entered the presence of God.
So… Merry Christmas to all
The Eyes Have It
Friday, Jul 29 2011
The final day of the pilgrimage is a special one. The day began with a busy morning and early afternoon at the train station. Pilgrims were arriving and departing in large numbers. They were mostly from Italy and France. It was a joyful atmosphere especially with the Italian pilgrimages singing boisterously as the pilgrims were transported to and from the buses and trains.
We had a block of free time to do shopping, packing, and even the sacrament of Confession. The final Mass was at five o’clock in the basement Chapel of the Port Clare monastery. It was a reverent, prayerful, and reflective time for everyone as this was our last Mass before the end of this pilgrimage.
After dinner, the pilgrims had a final session with the Hospitalite of the Sanctuaries, completing their required program of orientation. We then headed down to the Domain to collect Lourdes water, light candles, place our intentions in the Grotto itself, and pray together.
As Pilgrims who have been here before, as well as on the pilgrimage in May, the final evening is a common reflection of gratitude. The pilgrims reveal their prayer partners, offer thanks to the organizers, and tried to put into words what this experience has meant to them. I have tried to do this in part through this blog.
But as much as we try, we are attempting the impossible. There is no one definitive answer or explanation for why this place has the effect on people if does. Our words are attempts to describe what only our faces can radiate. If you know someone who has been on this pilgrimage (or any other for that matter), you’ll just have to ask them. Just mention “Lourdes” and see their reaction. Their words may be eloquent or stammering but the meaning is not found in them; it’s an their eyes.
Look at them because they have seen more than can meet the eye.
Gone.
Friday, Jul 29 2011
You are gone and missed already.