Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Our Lady of Lourdes

I had the great joy of visiting Lourdes in 1989, and then again sixteen months ago. If you would like to read an article I wrote about pilgrimage following my first visit, go HERE.

Anglicans often try to compare Lourdes and Walsingham; but I think that is wrong. Each of our Lady's shrines has its own charism, its own emphasis, and its unique ministry. The one thing I know is that God has graced the shrine at Lourdes in a special way, and, through the intercession of Mary, millions who have prayed in that holy place over the last 151 years have experienced the healing power of her Son and the refreshing of the Holy Spirit ("the rivers of living water"). Hebrews 11:6 says that God rewards those who seek him. To go on prayerful pilgrimage to this place that he has particularly graced (or other places like it) enables us to be open to his love, and as a result we experience a spiritual renewal or receive some other precious gift from him.

If you are ever in France, you MUST visit Lourdes. You can get there on an overnight train from Paris. By European standards accommodation is not expensive. Some is very basic and very cheap. Stay for two or three days and join in the pilgrimage devotions. Read, pray, stroll around. You will be blessed.

Here are some photos I took on my last visit.




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