Lourdes: A Trip of Solemn Promise and Divine Future (2)

Read Part 1 here.

The three basilicas were not the only main attractions. The sanctuary was filled with spots to accomodate your spiritual pilgrimage, experiences, and exercises!

Across the river from where the piscine stood were a park with statues of the stations of the cross. If the weather permits, take a short time to walk here, meditate from a station to the other, or recite rosaries. The park offered a tranquil atmosphere, with fearless birds occassionally pecking the ground close to us. I was taking some pictures of the grotto when a couple: 40-yearish man and woman, wave their hands across the river and started to yell at me. They rushed to the bridge and shortly approaching me.

I was super confused, I thought they were some volunteers and if I did something unlawful worth for some warning, but then when they were close enough, they called from the top of their lungs, "Filipino?!" I laughed and said, "No, Indonesian!" It was not hard to notice the disappointment in their faces! "Oh sorry, I though you were Filipino. We thought it would be wonderful to have lunch at the Filipino restaurant with other Pinoy!" the man said. We laughed and exhanged stories, then they left on the quest to find the real Filipinos!

Next to the park were some structures, arc-like tents, where we could buy some candles and light it for your intentions. When I stood there and looked towards the grotto, I couldn't help but notice the wholefulness and universality of Catholicism. Man and woman, young and elder, healthy and sick, all came to this particular spot where Mother Mary performed miracles for the strengthening of our faith, to restore their faith and health! I picked up a medium-sized candle and prayed for the unity of the Church.

After getting tired from strolling around the park, I walk into the Adoration Chapel and The Church of St. Bernadette. The Chapel offered a cold and amicable atmosphere for perpetual adoration, while the church was occassionally packed with pilgrims and group masses. The latter might not be the ideal place for a silent prayer. The church facade shows a blending between brutalistic and more open glass view, but the interior is quite contemporary-like with minimum decorations.

Soon, it was lunch time. I made a stop at the water taps to fill the drinking bottle. The water was directly transferred from the spring, so it was very refreshing! I was so lucky that there was no line to the taps, but when it was full, you would need to wait for quite a time since the pilgrims loved to take the water in bottles and jerry cans, not one or two, but for the whole family or tour members!

When it comes to food, you could find almost any kind of world cuisine in Lourdes! Mexican, Filipino, Vietnamese, French, German, American, and more! In the city center, you could roam around or enjoy the hustle sight, or you could just simply window shop. There were some recommended stores to find cheaper religious articles. If you are an antique connoisseur, you could easily identify the right stores. What intrigued me was that I couldn't find any store selling a French version of the Bible (I made quite a hobby to purchase a Bible from every country that speaks different languages)! The city itself is worth to explore. The atmosphere of south France are quite different from the northern or the meditteranean parts: mountains and clear rivers with its up-and-down narrow streets were totally worth visit!

Since climbing the citadel would be time consuming, I decided to visit the house of St. Bernadette. The house was now transformed into a museum and you could discover the original personal belongings used by the saint and her family. There was only one word to capture the simplicity of her life: total humility.

As the sun quickly setting down, I walked back towards the grotto. The cave was where the whole miraculous story took place. It was the exact spot where Mother Mary appeared to her little poor girl who would then brought her peaceful message to the whole world. And the message has been fruitful. Now, not only a church standing strong on the rock as her initial intention dictates, but three basilicas, and all the facilities to fulfill her lady's mission. A small village where no one knew of, now became a major pilgrimage site. People from all corner of the world coming to this particular cave to know God, see Mary, seeking peace, looking for reconciliation, hoping for health and revival, building stronger faith, hope, and love.

As I slided my wooden rosary onto the grotto wall, I couldn't help but imagine as if I was standing there when the first miracle took place, together with the villagers who both believed and doubtful. The wall was damped with water seeping through the cracks, the water that the Mother blessed with her presence. As every Hail Mary was chanted by the faithful, my mind and soul were intertwined with the divinity of this place. I feel nothing but peace and mercy. Sitting at the bench across the grotto, my mind kept wandering, contemplating on how God's plan could become this fruitful when humanity cooperated. Like Mary's fiat, the Father's plan could be fulfilled. Like Bernadette's obedience, this unknown spot has became the fountain of mercy and worship. I then made a promise, when my heart heard His voice of divine plan like the old time, I would always say yes, for I am merely his chalk and his charcoal to write a story for the world. Ave Maria, take my hands, guide my steps, dear Lovely Mother!

The peak of this pilgrimage is of course, the most celebrated Marian procession during the sundown. I ran to the basilica and bought a candle with the windcover. Then, I climbed to the top of the lower basilica (balcony of the upper basilica) and documented the whole procession. It began at the grotto, towards the main gate, then turned around to the main basilica. We sang every verses of "Ave Maria" repeatedly. During the chorus, everyone raised their candle up high and sang in unison "Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!" What an emotional experience!

The procession stopped at the basilica and when we prayed the rosary, I decided to join the crowd. As the procession was concluded, everyone cheered towards the sky and scrambled in the field. I stood there, saying hi to many groups and helped them taking pictures, talked and shared about faith and their experiences. Really, you have to do it! Not only it would enrich your spiritual experience, but listening to their difficulties, promises, and joy will lift your faith even more, and at the same time, you would pray for them, for the church, and just be grateful for God's providence and Mary's intercession.

When I stepped out the sanctuary and looked back for the last time, I thought about all the divine providence to the point where I could stood there, (and later) finished my master degree, while at the same time hoped for the strength to walk down the future path that God has in store. Ave Maria. Thanks be to God!

Map of Lourdes Sanctuary (taken from here):