+

'The Blind receive sight, the Lame walk, those who have Leprosy are cured, the Deaf hear, the Dead are raised,
and the Good News is preached to the poor.
Blessed is the man who does fall away on account of Me.'
Luke 7:22-23.


+ +

Gone was the days of people on crutches, left them at the Grotto and went home walking. Streets and basilica scenes were highlighted with the 3-wheel carts, most likely pulled by the sisters of St Clara, Italy, who looked more like the angels coming to the town. There were other volunteers in church uniforms were the alternate helpers. They came here on their own account, they paid their own way, and served the sick by accompanying them to the Masses, Processions, and the Baths at Lourdes. They stayed in the Accueils and Hospitals and out on the streets of Lourdes to do their loving, humble deeds.

The sick came in strollers, or be young able-looking, middle ages to the elders. They came from everywhere in the world, in great distances through the train, buses, public transportation. They were either alone or with their caretaker at arrival.

They arrived to Lourdes in the cold night, cold pouring rain at this time of the season. Seemed like nothing could stop them. They certainly came with faith, in great numbers and always waited in long line. One could stand nearby, glanced at them and prayed with their heart desires; one could pray to Christ, full of mercy and grace to lift up their bodily burdens. Or cry for them! The people who were pulling their cart were so gracious, mostly from the sisters of Order of St Clara, Italy, as seen during our staying, or volunteers who paid their own way to come and to serve. To be in His Likeness.


________________________Healing Missions_______________________

During one of the Virgin Marys apparitions to St Bernadette in 1858, the Lady asked that people come in procession to the Grotto. Ever since then there has been a 'ministry of welcome' in Lourdes, receiving and caring for all the pilgrims who come to the apparition site, especially the sick and infirm.

The HNDL is active in Lourdes during the main pilgrimage season (which normally lasts from Easter until November), and it also provides people to welcome pilgrims at the Piscines (Baths) during the winter.

Pilgrimages run with many different organizations & charities, many are from a specific region (For example British pilgrims generally travel with their own diocese or archdiocese) whilst others are based around a specific type of pilgrim. An example of this is the UK's Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT). They travel in different groups which are all numbered, e.g. group 83 which leave from Coventry. The groups take handicapped children and their caretakers on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, which gives them all an excellent opportunity to see the religious benefits of this place.



╬ ╬ ╬