Lourdes Pilgrimage - Day 5
Small And Large Churches
Today was another day that threatened to rain, but didn’t. (Seriously, I wound up carrying 5 unopened umbrellas at one point.)
We began with a mass at the Grotto of Massabielle. It would be a unique experience to have mass outdoors except, you know, COVID. Still, no rain and the constant reminder of Mary’s appearance at Lourdes made it a special mass.
After that, the Order of Malta gave medals to all the malades and caregivers.
We ate lunch in town with the president of the Western USA Association of Malta. He gave us a little behind-the-scenes look at how much work the knights and dames put in to help us on this pilgrimage. We are so blessed to be on this trip!
In the afternoon, we were scheduled to do adoration, but were surprised to learn this began with a procession. We were even more surprised to learn that other branches of Malta had arrived in the last few days from all over the world, and were joining us for this event. Thousands of people came together and, as you might imagine, it took a while to get everyone lined up.
We spent a lot of time just chatting with others on our pilgrimage, and meeting new people from around the world, like Great Britain, Australia, Italy, France, and who knows where else. A little girl from Mexico gave Amelia a prayer card, and it was so adorable, I didn’t even think to take my camera out.
I did get this picture of Kirrily and Amelia, stretching their legs as we waited—
And finally the procession began—
The procession led us into yet another church in the domain that we hadn’t seen before: the Basilica of Pius X. It’s basically the opposite of the Grotto.
It was built in the 1950s to accommodate the flood of pilgrims they expected on the 100th anniversary of St. Bernadette’s visions. The thing was, they didn’t want to overshadow the already-existing Rosary Basilica, so they built it entirely underground, which is why it’s sometimes called The Underground Basilica.
Also in contrast to the Grotto, it’s HUGE. It’s 130,000 square feet, and can hold 25,000 people. It almost looks like a sports arena (or a Bond villain’s lair). But those numbers are just too big to wrap your head around, and pictures just don’t do it justice.
But seriously, this is one of the few times in life I say you really have to be there to appreciate the enormity of it.
We’re going to mass there tomorrow, and we’ve been told to expect something like 20,000 congregants. So that’ll be quite a communion line.
We didn’t stick around for the entire adoration ceremony, because Amelia was getting a little tuckered it. It’s a lot for a wee thing! Kirrily got to sneak out after bedtime and watch the nightly candlelight procession first hand. (Okay, this is another event that works much better in person than in photos.)
We neglected to go to the baths, because it was such a busy day, but we’ll attempt to go again tomorrow. Please keep us in your prayers!
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, many who were closest to you did not believe that the apparitions you saw were real. Your sister mocked you, your mother told you that you were dreaming, your aunt said it was an illusion. Through it all, you remained strong and calm. Bernadette, patron of those insulted for their faith, help us build a strong foundation for our own faith that can weather whatever difficulties may come.
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.
