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Greetings from Lourdes!
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone. John 6:14-15
Friday in Lourdes is always such a special day featuring some of the signature events of the pilgrimage – the Anointing Mass and the Candlelight Procession.
Rev. Joseph Cavoto, ChM, led Friday morning's prayers, where he noted that, "there's a lot of grace flowing around here." After another délicieux breakfast, that included croissants and café au lait, and leadership meetings, we assembled outside of our hotels to begin our walk to the St. Bernadette Chapel for Exposition, Morning of Recollection, the Rosary, and Confessions with Msgr. Frank Caldwell, ChM, Fr. Eric Hollas, GCChC, Fr. John Maksym, and Deacon Richard Murphy, ChDD.
This morning's activities reminded us that we are instruments of God's work. At some point in life, you are the answer to someone else’s prayers. We have to answer that call.
At the same time, our children and young adult malades and their caregivers stayed back at the hotel for a “Getting to Know You” style meeting before heading on the Footsteps of Bernadette Tour. Charioteers, accompanied by Rev. Ian Jeremiah, ChM, and Kristy Snyder, DM, leaders of the Children and Young Adults Program, ushered our malades throughout the town of Lourdes to highlight the life and legacy of Bernadette Soubirous.
Following the morning's activities and lunch, Malades, Caregivers, and those accompanying them headed back down to the Sanctuary for their reservations at The Baths. The newer process of The Baths, which now includes a sprinkling of water instead of a plunge into the water, facilitated a kind and peaceful atmosphere where people went in without fear and left feeling an overwhelming sense of joy. At The Baths, we fulfill our Blessed Mother’s request to Bernadette, “Go drink and wash in the spring water”.
Those at The Baths met up with all other pilgrims for Mass, celebrated by the Most Reverend Allen Vigneron, ChC, Anointing of the Sick, and the Distribution of Medals to Malades and Caregivers in the Notre Dame Chapel. Ken Craig, President of the American Association, H.E. Frá John T. Dunlap, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, and FJ McCarthy, American Association Knight and member of the Sovereign Council, distributed the medals. We were overjoyed to be joined by the Grand Master, who also led the Daily Prayer of the Order at the end of the service. You can read more about the pilgrimage on the international Order of Malta's website here.
We returned to the hotel for a reception and dinner until it was finally time to assemble for the much anticipated Candlelight Procession, which had a bit of a rainy start. We joined thousands of others, including members of the Order of Malta from all over the world, in holding a candle, processing around the Sanctuary, and saying the Rosary. The view from above along the outside of the upper Basilica is always a stunning sight and it created a beautiful backdrop to commemorate the Order of Malta's 67th annual international pilgrimage and close out this day of our pilgrimage.
Don't forget to check out our photo galleries from each day. You can also click here to view everything we've been sharing from this pilgrimage, plus links to watch a livestream of the Grotto and submit a prayer petition.
Until tomorrow...
Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us!
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