November 2016
Lourdes is just small. You can explore it by walking. From our hotel, it would only take 10 minutes to reach the entrance to the sanctuary. Since it was autumn when we got there, some activities and schedule were already suspended because of the cold weather. Pilgrims were lesser than the usual. But nonetheless, Lourdes' silence would engulf you once you allow it to happen.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
Our pilgrimage will not be complete without the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. All pilgrims gathered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Again, Fr. Gabo and Fr. Francis celebrated the mass for us. Fr. Francis' touching and emotional homily stirred the congregation. All were teary-eyed as he shared to us a story about his Ima. It was a special moment for the pilgrims.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
Lourdes' most famous spot is the Grotte de Massabielle or what we popularly know as "The Grotto." This is the very spot where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette. Once a place for pigs to graze is now a holy ground. Near the grotto is the spring where water continuously flow since the time Bernadette dug the grounds as ordered by Our Lady. The wall of rocks surrounding the grotto is now smooth because of the millions of hands that touched it. Those hands were the same hands clasped in prayer asking for a miracle. I, too, touched the cold rocks. I, too, with hands in prayer, asked for a miracle.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
Given more time, I would have explored all the nooks and crannies of Lourdes. But let me share with you my little discoveries...
(Note: Some of the pics from the slideshow are from some of the pilgrims like Mary Antonette Angeles, Fr.Kiko Dizon and Sir Tommy Ching.)
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
One's pilgrimage to Lourdes will not be complete without dropping by the home of St. Bernadette which is just a few kilometers away from the sanctuary.
From sacred.destination.com:
Located at 2 Rue Bernadette Soubirous, the house of Bernadette's parents includes a mill, kitchen, Bernadette’s bedroom, various objects, photographs, and the like.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
One of the "pasalubongs" often asked to bring home when one goes to Lourdes is the water from the taps. The water that flows from the different taps all comes from the spring St. Bernadette discovered during the apparition. Many claimed miracles happened with the help of the water. I, myself, got some water, and drank from the taps with a fervent prayer to be healed.
Prayer to be said when using the water from Lourdes:
Blessed be the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Mother, have mercy on us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, heal us for the greater glory of the Holy Trinity.
Our Lady of Lourdes, heal us for the greater glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Lady of Lourdes, heal the sick, convert sinners.
Health of the sick, Help of the suffering, pray for us.
Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
St. Bernadette, pray for us!
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
The famous bath of Lourdes:
"Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself there!” these words of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette during one of the Apparitions inspired the creation of the Baths near the Grotto in which the pilgrims are immersed." - www.lourdes-france.com
I had my experience of the bath the first time I was in Lourdes in 1997. I didn't go to the bath this pilgrimage because of my condition, and the cold weather. But I encouraged my co-pilgrims to go and experience it. Some of them patiently waited in line despite the chill. I heard a lot of stories and reflection after the bath. Truly, it was another baptismal experience.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
Since most activities were suspended because of the season, we were allowed to create our own. So after the mass one early evening, we had our candle light procession from the sanctuary to the grotto. It was a freezing walk of faith, but then "the cold never bothered us anyway... wink, wink!
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
Meet some of my co-pilgrims... kaakbay sa paglalakbay.
Ate Belle, Ms. Mary Almonte (NDV), Fr. Kiko, Ate Chit, Ate Mary, Ate Tess, Ms. Guada, Ate Rory, Ms Yolly, Ate Nona, Jenny Salvana, Ate Merle, Ate Betty, Ate Brenda, friends from Taiwan, Sr. Nilda, Ate Ophine, Ate Gie, Ate Annette, etc.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
I will never get tired of Lourdes. I will always go back to this place if given the chance to fly again to France. (I will not complain if it means going back to France the fourth time, hehehe!) Lourdes will always be special to me.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
Warning! Nakakaumay... puro mukha ko yan!
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception." A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request. (state your request)
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
From www.ewtn.com
The rock, the water, the light
Renewed, relieved, healed!
- At 'yan ang sabi ni Manang!
2 Rue Bernadette Soubirous, Lourdes, France
November 2016