Lourdes Pilgrimage - Day 2

We're heeeeere

It was a twelve hour flight, but at least one of us got some sleep.

We landed mid-day, and were pretty tired, but we didn’t want to just pass out in the hotel room and throw our body clocks off even further. Instead, we took a little walk outside the hotel.

Almost immediately, we found ourselves outside the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is one of several churches in “the Domain.” (That’s what the cool kids call The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.)

It was quite a lot to take in. We mostly just wandered around and looked at the amazing architecture. We did go inside the basilica and lit a candle. There were fountains outside with water from the grotto, so we washed there. While we passed the grotto, we heard a priest leading a group in the Rosary. We’ll be doing that with the Order of Malta later in the week.

They’ve been amazing so far. We had a big group dinner and met a ton of wonderful people who’ve volunteered to help Amelia and the other malades. We ate with a couple of Carmelite nuns from Pasadena. We even met someone who’s children went to the same school where Kirrily teaches! (Before she started, though.) It’s such a small world!

Tomorrow, we’ll be going into the pools proper, which is both exciting and overwhelming. We’ve heard several stories of miraculous healing, which gives hope. But again, it’s not magic, and so we can’t say for sure what will happen for Amelia. All we can do is pray.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help us in our own time of desolation.

And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that we be given the grace to be faithful until death.

And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, we ask for your intercession for the intentions on our heart, that Amelia be cured of her metachromatic leukodystrophy.

St. Bernadette, you grew up in great poverty. You played a large role in helping to raise your siblings. Bernadette, patron of those in poverty, help me to see you in all those who live in poverty.

Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, in my imagination, and in my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, and your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace. Grow despite my resistance and my pride. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.