Lourdes Favorites

Favorite thing: The Candle Light Procession at Lourdes. It must be seen twice to be seen properly. The first night you walk in the procession with all the Pilgrims from church parishes all over the world. the second night, you go up on top of the ramp to the top level and watch the procession from there. It is a spectacular and most remarkable event to witness.

Fondest memory: The peace I feel wandering around the Sanctuary and Grotto at Massabielle

Favorite thing: Since child hood it was always my dream to visit Lourdes, France and from the very first time my husband took me to Lourdes as often as the opportunity came, I was ready to drop other engagement and come to Lourdes.
Our volunteer work started three years ago, when we arrived in Lourdes as early as 5 in the morning, and after we settled into our little hotel (not a fancy hotel, as all we needed was to hung our hats and spend all day at the santuary). As my husband and I were passing by the main entrace, on our left side was the hospital for the sick and needed, and overheard someone saying that many volunteers could not come because there was a terrible storm in the neighboorhood. So, we started talking to this lady who happens to be in charge of the people using a wheel chair, and they started us in the kitchen. There in the kitchen you are to prepare and be extra careful of preparing the diet food of the patience, then the following year we enquired how we could volunteer pushing the patience to the grotto for the 9pm rosary which was one of the most touchies way of praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary. There after each year when our time permits we then would make arrangement doing more days of volunteers which we truly enjoy so very much. It is so lovely meeting all kinds of people, all walks of life, all kinds of people with different kinds of religion, wealth, culture and just from every part of the world. Lourdes makes us very grateful for all what we have and always thankful for what we are and what we have. May God Bless You All.

Fondest memory: The many times we can offer our volunteer service to the sick and needed. The very very very first time I came to Lourdes, it certainly was a very strong impact on my soul. Outside the Santuary, one will and may conclude that it is getting to be quite commercialized, however, once your in the grotto you would then understand why all those stores are selling the religious items. Just praying the the Blessed Mother is a given tranquility on our life. Then when your time permits it would be quite interesting as well to visit the museum. It is only about three minutes from the shrines, via the "ascenseur de L´Egalite", the Lourdes Museum presents an audío - visual experience, Lourdes as large as life at the time of the visions, showing everyone the extraordinary story of Bernadette.When speaking of the Sanctuary: Many and most visitors even the pilgrims when you look up to the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, is invited to look beyong the grey clouds of his or her own existence toward the heaven in order to allow himself to be bothered in the light from above. Although, whenever we are in Lourdes, what my husband and I look forward to is the 9pm rosary and the many beautiful songs "AVE, AVE, AVE, MARIA", as we sing that to Our lady of Lourdes, it seems that it automatically puts tears into my eyes, it certainly such a very beautiful song for Our Blessed Mother. "AMEN".

Favorite thing: We went in late Feb., and early March. Very few tourists there. Lovely 9AM masses in English in the tiny old chapel atop the basilica. Beautiful mosaics behind the altar; the sidewalls are filled with beautiful and varied smooth marble sections contributed by folks as memorials, and dated from about 1862. AVOID Le Cardinale restaurant (across McDonalds) at all costs... rude and boorish owners, tasteless "food". BEST spot to eat was the unpretentious "Le Palacio Restaurant, 26 Place du Champs Commun. Facade was uninviting, but inside was spotless, nicely cloth-covered tables....superb food, wonderful, friendly service, imaginative menu, modest prices.
Hotel Ibis was good place to stay. Across Hotel Ibis is a tiny internet business...offering access for nominal fee.

Fondest memory: Hard to say.....many sweet old villages in the area....easy to get to them....mountains lovely....people warm and friendly....tiny cafes with surprisingly good meals....

Fondest memory: This is not my fondest memory of Lourdes, but it is my most memorable.................

A young family arrived at the sanctuary the same time we did, I saw them join in the mass at Grotte de Massabielle. They had 2 children, one severely disabled in a wheelchair. The father totally lost himself in the mass, he was obviously praying for his son.

A little later I saw the father again carrying his disabled son in to one of the pools full of blessed water in an attemped to cure him.

The father was so determined & seemed so desperate to help his son. It was such an upsetting sight to watch.

The last Vatican approved Miracle was confirmed in 1987, after 12 years of investigation in to the claim.