Faith is alive at Lourdes

My favorite photo of the Lourdes Basilica, after searching for the perfect angle.

My pilgrimage to Lourdes this week could not have come at a better date. After the horrific murders in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, the turmoil going on in Hong Kong, and ongoing conflicts in several African and Middle Eastern countries, one would think that peace and harmony are far from being realized. But  once you enter that gate and start to mingle with the people, behold the magnificent basilica and see the dedicated volunteers wheeling the sick through the sacred space of Lourdes, you would instantly sense that you are probably the closest you’ll ever get to heaven.

Being the main celebrant at a Mass in Maltese yesterday morning at 6 AM at the Grotto where Mary appeared in 1858 to Bernardette Soubirous, then concelebrating with more than 150 priests and 12 bishops at the International Mass, celebrating two other intimate Masses with the group I was leading, then praying the Stations of the Cross at 3 PM on Friday, saying the Diocesan Rosary together, these and the camaraderie we all enjoyed made for an excellent trip with 35 Maltese, besides over a hundred other Maltese natives with different groups. But there must have been 15,000 to 20,000 pilgrims in all.

During the procession aux flambeaux

It was a holy experience for me personally, my second visit to Lourdes, and my first day off since I returned from the USA over 3 years ago. Seeing the strong faith of the people, the energy of the youth volunteering and praying with their chaperones, mingling with many other priests, monks, and nuns, visiting and browsing through the various religious stores – all features which makes you realize how strong the faith still is. Presuming that 99% of the visitors were Catholic, it felt like we were speaking the same language, the language of devotion and love. Even during the procession aux flambeaux, hearing the Hail Mary recited in so many languages, we all responded with our own language but felt united with Mary and with each other, as we raised our candles and sang joyfully, Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Obviously, I came back with a few photos, 633 of them, which I will share with you over the next few weeks.

The Rosary chapel under the main Basilica