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Greetings from Lourdes!
“The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3
Friday in Lourdes is always a favorite—filled with two of the pilgrimage’s signature moments: the Anointing Mass and the Candlelight Procession.
We began with morning prayer led by Rev. Msgr. Robert Dempsey, ChM. After a délicieux breakfast (croissants and café au lait included), we walked together to St. Bernadette Chapel for Exposition, a morning of recollection, the Rosary, and the gift of Confession with Rev. Msgr, Robert Ritchie, GCChC, Rev. Msgr. Douglas Mathers, ChM, and Rev. Mr. John Shea, DMG.
Today was a beautiful reminder that God works through ordinary people. At some point in life, you may be the answer to someone else’s prayers; and, here in Lourdes, we’re invited to say “yes” to that call.
Meanwhile, our children and young adult malades and their caregivers shared a “getting to know you” gathering before heading out on the Footsteps of Bernadette Tour. With charioteers, and guidance from Rev. Ian Jeremiah, ChM, Kristy Snyder, DM, and Fr. Alex Nevitt, ChD, they moved through the town, tracing the life and legacy of St. Bernadette Soubirous.
After lunch, malades and caregivers returned to the Sanctuary for their appointments at The Baths. This year, The Baths returned to offering full immersion in addition to the Water Gesture (a gentle sprinkling of water). Everyone felt the calm, reverent atmosphere, where people entered with trust and left with a deep sense of peace and joy. There, we echo Our Blessed Mother’s words to Bernadette: “Go drink and wash in the spring water.” We then gathered in the Rosary Basilica for Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Mitchell Rozanski, ChC, including the Anointing of the Sick.
After a quick return to the hotel for a reception and dinner, we headed back out for the much-anticipated Candlelight Procession. Alongside thousands of pilgrims (and members of the Order of Malta from around the world), we held our candles high, prayed the Rosary, and processed through the Sanctuary in the evening. From the path near the upper Basilica, the sea of lights was unforgettable—an especially fitting way to mark the Order of Malta’s 68th annual international pilgrimage.
Until tomorrow...
Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us!
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