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Greetings from Lourdes!
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1
Today's schedule of events included the Tri-Association Grotto Mass, Reflections, Eucharistic Procession and Adoration, and the First Time Pilgrim Medal Ceremony. Our day started with morning prayer led by Rev. Eric M. Hollas, OSB, ChC.
The Tri-Association Grotto Mass, attended by members of the American, Federal, Western, and Spanish Associations, was led by Most Rev. José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles. The altar at the Grotto not only included Archbishop Gomez, but bishops, archbishops, priests, deacons, Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, and Frá John Dunlap, our Grand Master. It was a beautiful way to honor this very Grotto, where Our Lady of Lourdes, wearing a white dress with a blue sash and gold roses at her feet, instructed St. Bernadette to build a chapel. "Go, drink of the waters and wash yourself there.”
After Mass, pilgrims gathered together in front of the Rosary Basilica Steps for our annual group photo before breaking up into smaller groups for our pod and team photos throughout the sanctuary. These photos will be a long-lasting reminder of our time during this year’s pilgrimage.
We then headed back to our hotels for lunch before again breaking up into smaller groups for reflections. While the reflections tend to feel like an intimidating part of the pilgrimage at first, this activity gives all who participate the opportunity to reflect on our time in Lourdes, our spiritual journey, and our relationship with God in a small, intimate setting. Our chaplains were also available to all pilgrims after reflections in each of the hotel chapels for further support.
Later that afternoon when the sun came out, we assembled outside of our hotels and headed back down to the sanctuary for the Eucharistic Procession, Adoration, and Benediction in the Rosary Plaza, which was led by the American Association. In the evening after dinner, Caregivers and Children and Young Adult Malades were treated to a night out, where they had the chance to unwind at a local restaurant or dessert shop.
At the same time, first time Knights, Dames, Candidates, Auxiliary, and Volunteers ended their evening attending the First Year Medal Ceremony at the St. Bernadette Chapel. In the years to come, they can now adorn this medal with small silver or gold crosses to count each additional year they attend our Annual Lourdes Pilgrimage.
Be sure to click on the red button at the top of this email to view today’s photo gallery. We also encourage you to click on the blue button to watch today’s videos, "A Lourdes Miracle" by Dr. Anthony Gagliardi and "The Baths" by Anne Peach. You'll also find a recording of Very Rev. Enrique Salvo's talk from yesterday's Morning of Recollection.
As always, you can click here to visit our website for all of the 2024 Lourdes Pilgrimage content, including these updates, photo and video galleries, a recording of today's Grotto Mass, a livestream of the Grotto, chaplain reflections, and more.
Until tomorrow...
Our Lady of Lourdes,
Pray for Us!
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