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Greetings from Lourdes!
Thank God, it's Friday! Friday in Lourdes is a day that many of us look forward to each year when we can can participate a triple header, Morning Reflections, the Anointing Mass, and, weather permitting, the Candlelight Procession. First, let's rewind to this morning.
After morning prayers and breakfast, we processed to St. Bernadette Chapel for a Morning of Recollection. Rev. Msgr. Frank Caldwell, ChM, led the first conference. Rev. Msgr. Robert Dempsey, ChM, led the Exposition and Benediction. Rev. Joseph Johnson, ChC, welcomed pilgrims and led the second conference. Rev. Dr. Steven Koop, ChDD, led the Rosary. Those in attendance were also able to go to Confessions and the priests were kept busy.
During this Morning of Recollection, children and young adult Malades and their Caregivers stayed back at the hotel for a getting to know each other "icebreaker" style meeting before heading off to the Footsteps of Bernadette, accompanied by Rev. Ian Jeremiah, ChM, and Kristy Snyder, DM, leaders of the Children's Program. The Caregivers enjoyed a special blessing when Fr. Ian invited the children to sprinkle Holy Water on them. The Holy Water was unlimited.
Following the morning's activities and lunch, Malades, Caregivers, and those accompanying them headed down to the Sanctuary for their reservations at The Baths. Although there is no longer the option to bathe completely, Malades and Caregivers took part in what is now called the "Water Gesture, which involves saying a prayer to the Blessed Mother and splashing water from the Grotto onto your hands and face. The Baths fulfill our Blessed Mother’s request to Bernadette, “Go drink and wash in the spring water”. The new process removes much of the apprehension that people had under the prior immersion process.
Those at The Baths met up with all other pilgrims for Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Allen Vigneron, ChC, Anointing of the Sick, and the Distribution of Medals to Malades and Caregivers in the Notre Dame Chapel. Everyone was surprised and delighted when Archbishop Vigneron said that President Peter Kelly had an announcement. President Kelly then introduced the newly elected 81st Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Frá John Dunlap, at which point the entire audience stood up to give him a standing ovation. The Grand Master also led the recitation of the Daily Prayer of the Order of Malta.
In addition to receiving the special Lourdes Pilgrimage medals, Malades also received an Order of Malta Rosary from 2023 Lourdes Pilgrimage Co-Hosts, Tom and Missy Reedy. We then counted down the hours until it was finally time to assemble for the long-awaited Candlelight Procession, which was led by Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
We joined what appeared to be thousands of others, including members of the Order worldwide and visitors to Lourdes, in holding a candle, processing around the Sanctuary, and saying the Rosary. The night was cool, a welcome change from the warm days we have been having. It was a breathtaking sight to say the least and a beautiful end to our 3rd day in Lourdes.
Until tomorrow...
Our Lady of Lourdes,
Pray for Us!
Click here to view the Lourdes 2023 section of our website, where we will be sharing these daily updates, photo galleries, Cardinal Dolan's updates, and more. Pilgrims can share these updates with family and friends back home so that they, too, can experience the beauty of Lourdes.
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