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Greetings from Lourdes!
Saturday. A day that began with the Tri-Association Grotto Mass, attended by members of the American, Federal, and Western Associations. This special Mass was led by our Principal Chaplain, H.E. Timothy Cardinal Dolan, BGCHD, in the very Grotto where Our Lady of Lourdes, wearing a white dress with a blue sash and gold roses at her feet, instructed St. Bernadette to build a chapel. One of our Malades, Stephanie Gabaud, read the first reading, which was very moving. Frá John Dunlap, our newly elected Grand Master, sat in the Sanctuary and led us in the Daily Prayer of the Order. "Go, drink of the waters and wash yourself there.” It was the perfect event to follow last night's Candlelight Procession. You can watch a recording of Cardinal Dolan's Homily when you click here. All of your prayers for no rain have been working...maybe a bit too much as it has been quite a warm pilgrimage so far.
Following Mass, we all gathered in front of the Rosary Basilica Steps for our signature group photo, which will be gifted to each Malade at the end of the Pilgrimage as a physical memory they can take home with them. After saying, "Cheese!” for the group photo, we broke up into groups for our team photos close to the statue of the Blessed Mother at the other end of the Sanctuary's Plaza.
Lunch was followed by Reflections for all pilgrims divided into 10 smaller categories for Malades, Caregivers, parents of Malades, Medical Team members, and all other pilgrims. While it can often be difficult to open up and share out loud, this time provided all pilgrims with a welcoming space to reflect on their time here thus far and explore their faith, in a holy place, on a deeper level. Our chaplains were also available to all pilgrims after Reflections in each of the hotel chapels for further support.
We then processed back to the Sanctuary for the Eucharistic Procession, Adoration, and Benediction in the Rosary Plaza, which was led by Cardinal Dolan and a contingent of archbishops, bishops, and priests.
Following dinner, Caregivers and Children and Young Adult Malades were treated to a night out, where they had the chance to unwind at a local restaurant or dessert shop.
At the same time, first time Knights, Dames, Candidates, Auxiliary, and Volunteers ended their evening attending the First Year Medal Ceremony with the Grand Master at the St. Bernadette Chapel. In the years to come, they can now adorn this medal with small silver or gold crosses to count each additional year they attend our Annual Lourdes Pilgrimage.
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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