Lourdes

Some pictures from around the beautiful Basilica of Lourdes.

Lourdes - Mass w Bishop from the Diocese of South Bend

We celebrated this amazing liturgy as we are on pilgrimage to Madrid. It was right inside the grotto where our Blessed Mother appeared to St Bernadette.  SO AMAZING!!!

Then we were allowed to walk inside the grotto and touch the rock and pray. So amazing ...so powerful!

Lourdes August 13, 2011 part 2

Writing this while waiting in line to bathe in the healing water of Lourdes. We had some free time after mass, so we toured the Pius X Basilica which is underground. It was built in 1958 and has a capacity of 25K. It is very modern still for something that was constructed pre Vatican 2. We then toured Bernadette's childhood home (the Boly Mill),the church where Bernadette attended, and le cachot where Bernadette lived after her family lost their income. You can see some shots below.
Several people in our group went to the baths. It was amazing! You really need to experience it for yourself. After our group of females finished at the baths, the we went to fill our bottles with Lourdes water. During the filling of the bottles, a huge thunderstorm came over the area. We got totally soaked, but no one was especially bothered by it. It was like the heavens opened up to us. Tonight a group of us went out and serenaded Lourdes. I'm sure Mary will post more on this later.

Information on Bernadette


Some of my fellow bathers in Lourdes in front of
the baths-Nena, Claudia, Shelly, Elyse.


The tomb of the priest who helped Bernadette.


Le Cachot


On one of the very narrow streets during our tour
in Lourdes.


Two of the original articles from Bernadette's parish
church: a statue of John the Baptist and the original
baptismal font.


Bernadette


The blue chairs are wheelchairs that are used to move
the very sick around the baths.


The front of Bernadette's church


Inside the underground basilica in Lourdes.
This can hold 25,000 people.

Lourdes August 13, 2011

After a lovely breakfast at the Hotel Alba, we met and walked to the grotto for mass. There was an American bishop who was the presider. He had a great inspirational message for all the WYD pilgrims. The photos show the bishop during the homily, the Blessed Mother and the spring.

The statue of the Blessed Mother in the grotto.


The spring


The bishop from South Bend, IN who presided
over the English mass.

Lourdes

Arrived in Lourdes today. Quickly checked in then went to dinner. After dinner we joined the candlelight procession. There were thousands of people there. It was quite beautiful and inspiring. A couple of photos.

This is a busload of anticipation.


Outside the basilica in Lourdes.

Dinner at Hotel Alba in Lourdes

Today we were a little more rushed at stops. But we basically spent the day on the bus en route to Lourdes.  We stopped at a beautiful Basilica in Burgos.  Check the other entries for pictures. =) 

Here are pics of our lovely dinner at our hotel tonight. Afterwards we went and walked in the candlelight vigil at Lourdes. Amazing!!