Today I am being a tourist in Lourdes spending the day at the Church/Grotto. I am Catholic. This has been a Roman Catholic pilgrimage since 1858 when the first Marian apparition appeared. Over 5 million tourists come here every year. If you get the chance, watch the movie Song of Bernadette. That gives you the full story on this religious place. 
On this day, the weather wasn't great. It was about 62 degrees and some rain, so in other words, Seattle weather! I have inserted a few pictures that I took throughout the day. Later in the day I headed back to the hotel, but came back down after dinner time to observe the Marian Procession. 
The Marian Procession is held everynight from April to October. On this day, it started at 9 pm.
The Marian Procession starts out from the Grotto and the crowds of visitors, many carrying candles, make their way in procession to the entrance to the town, singing liturgical prayers to the Virgin Mary.
The rosary is recited and then the procession begins its march behind a statue of the Virgin Mary carried by the pilgrims. They sing "Lourdes Ave Maria". The pilgrims who have been marching side by side, experience a warm feeling of companionship when they gather on the Rosary esplanade to receive the blessing that closes the ceremony. 
Here they sing their last hommage to the Virgin Mary, "Salve Regina". Overall, this was a pretty inspiring day.
No comments:
Post a Comment