The Lourdes Summer 2011 #2
1-7 August
Lourdes Blog
http://frdunninlourdes.wordpress.com/
Past pilgrimages are archived there as well.
Off To A Good Start
Monday, Aug 1 2011
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 are 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.
Full Swing
Tuesday, Aug 2 2011
The pilgrimage is in full swing. The pilgrims began their day with orientation in the Sanctuary. And, depending on the schedule, they work shifts at Baths.
This afternoon the gentlemen were taken to the “Upper Stations” and were treated by yours truly afterwards with ice cream. Given the steep incline, it really isn’t possible for me to do the upper stations. This was least I could do for them.
To be honest, the weather today got very, very hot. Unfortunately, as has happened in the past, that is not a good thing for me. By the time we had Mass, I was pretty much shot. I spent the dinner hour and afterwards trying to cool down. The Pilgrims “worked” the Rosary procession for the first time. I joined them for the reflection group out on the prairie which was delightfully very cold.
See you at some point tomorrow.
Heat…You’re Back
Tuesday, Aug 2 2011
I’m hooping some of the pilgrims will be kind enough to add their thoughts because the Hadesesque temperature has sidelined me.
I know they spent the morning in Formation and the afternoon at the Baths. They returned for Mass at 6 and dinner. While they were at the train station, I enjoyed the musical presentations of the “Hotel Night” of the Diocesan pilgrimage of Arundal and Brighton (England). Those who have been here with them before know what a wonderful crowd they are.
More later…
Wednesday, Aug 3 2011
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 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 here 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.
Dry Heat
Thursday, Aug 4 2011
The Sun continues to drench Lourdes in a wonderful dry heat. The place is illuminated and shining. And so are the pilgrims.
This crowd is clearly glad that we are getting more work and less “formation.” It has been spotty at best and is the result of either legal or insurance reasons. As Americans, we are used to this type of thing. A good idea becomes pro forma to satisfy some obligation. Sorry, I’m just ranting here. But I am not the only one. Oh well, we are not here except for a higher reason.
The kids are working hard at the Baths and the trains. They are getting along without any problems. Okay, maybe that was jumping the gun on that last issue! No, I will stick with this for now.
Because of this new system (with the kinks not yet worked out), only one group was with us at the beginning of Mass this evening. The rest of them came in at the Gospel.
The good news, aside from the Gospel itself, was that we were invited to be a part of a first. There was going to be an international gathering of volunteer groups here as a part of a program call “Games Without Borders.” They signed up for a variety of silly competitions that will be held later this evening after the Rosary Procession. The details of the events may have been sketchy, but the enthusiasm preparing for them was not.
I headed over there at the Foyer (next to the chapel where we have the Anointing of Sick Mss during the May pilgrimage) after the procession. The enthusiasm of the gathered groups was off the charts. Unfortunately, the well-lit patio attracted what could only be called a European version of the “Amityville Horror.” The patio is on a bend of the Gave and I have never seen so many flies. In my early escape, I believe I consumed several. I retreated to the relative safety of the back deck and found great comfort in the prosciutto the Italian pilgrims had brought with them. To be honest, the prosciutto was worth the flies. After the additional comfort of a solitary milkshake, I came back to the hotel and I’m waiting for the Pilgrims and the results to return.
Friday, Aug 5 2011
Well, things are starting to wrap up. The last events are starting to arrange themselves and quietly the pilgrims know this. And yet, what was so strange, challenging, and different has now become ordinary.
I guess it’s just the way it is here. So often, just when we get into the rhythm of the routine, we are packing up and heading home. Daily Rosary processions have become a normal part of everyone’s day and the extraordinary privilege of working with the sick seems almost ordinary. No one is taking it for granted but they have grown comfortable with it. People who have grown to know and like each other in such a short time will be parting ways perhaps not see one another face to face again.
At least, in this life.
This may be one of the wonderful graces of Lourdes. Perhaps it is a glimpse of what God has called us all to look forward to. These pilgrims have been given the extraordinary opportunity to begin it now. Yes, they worked this morning as they have been for these past couple of days. They’ve thrown themselves into it and clearly enjoy what they are doing.
At dinner, we were joined by Dr. Alessandro and his mother. We had a conversation after in the living room about future plans here at the Sanctuaries and were encouraged to know that while things are in flux, the pilgrims’ contributions and suggestions are very much considered. It was a revealing and refreshing time.
In the misty drizzle, we headed down to the Grotto itself, placed our intentions there, and lit candles. We had our reflection at the podium (the outdoor Altar) and considered this scene in front of us of the Grotto, the Baths, the praying crowds, and the flickering candle lights. Who could have imagined all this?
And following divine inspiration, we ended the night with ice cream Café Versailles.
All in all, a great day.
Pau
Sunday, Aug 7 2011
Waiting in Pau for the 7:20 flight to Paris and on to home.