Allures of Lourdes

It is said that to a believer no proof is necessary; to the unbeliever no proof is sufficient. Such is the case of the stream of pilgrims to this small town. There are believers and there are mere tourists, but then who knows? A tourist seeing the piety of the believers will begin to receive and live the gift of faith?

What is the allure, the attraction of the small town of Lourdes in southern France that it brings to it thousands of people every day?

That for over a hundred and fifty years, millions had gone to Lourdes and more are coming is proof of the changes that man undergoes when dipped into the pool or when he drinks of the cool water that flows from the side of the mountain.

The religious fervor of the Mass attendees and in the processions also provides even an onlooker an opportunity to rethink his unbelief.

Filipinos, including many from our own cities and towns in the Visayas had come to Lourdes, but thousands more will never have the chance to go for a visit. This column will help provide them with a glimpse what is there. Surely there are many literature and documentary films and even movies that have propagated the story and miracles of Lourdes. 

We find the image of Our Lady of Lourdes in almost every church in the Philippines and in many houses. Some have reconstructed the Grotto in their garden. This only shows the devotion of a large number of Catholics to Our Lady under this title.

Why? Ask, each one has a reason.

The focus of Lourdes is not the physical miracle that comes to an individual in search of healing but the conversion of men, the return to the faith, the reconciliation with God and others and the increase in the intensity of one’s religious and spiritual life.

The body of St. Bernadette is not here but in Nevers, France. However, inside a crypt is a glass case where her relics are kept and open for pilgrims and visitors. Just outside is a remarkable image of St. Michael, the Archangel thrusting his spear into Satan.

The crypt is high up into the top of the Rosary Basilica, several dozen steps challenge the tired of feet and body. At the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, one can have a panoramic, breath-taking view of the area all the way to the other parts of the town.

Lourdes is a small village and pilgrims will not have to ride to go there from their hotels which naturally abound due to the large number of pilgrims even during winter time.

Of course, the way to the Grotto where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette was lined up with souvenir stores and bars and restaurants. There are even a few beggars well placed by the bridge that lead to the Basilica.

One souvenir shop was a surprise. We bought just a small piece and he said, “Salamat” and we inquired why he knows Filipinos. He went out of his store and pointed to the Filipino flag flying with the flags of France and the European Union. He talked in Tagalog and said that he had been in the Philippines several times and that “the Filipinos are the best people in the world!” He must have sold a lot to Filipinos.

The river is interesting. It is no bigger than Lupit River in Bacolod and yet it flows into a hydro-electric plant. The water passes through a sort of filter so that the river is clean and clear as it flows down along the shrine. Two bridges span over it as passages to the other buildings that sprung around the Grotto, one of which is a hospital where patients are cared for by professionals and volunteers.

The volunteers, mostly young men and women, from high school and colleges all the way to Italy, Spain, the United States and other countries, push or pull, or carry stretchers for these patients for the daily procession, for their attendance at Mass or for the dip in the pool.

I wondered why many of these patients had cups hanging by their necks only to discover that they used them to drink from the water that flows from the rocks near the Grotto.

An architectural masterpiece is the Basilica of Pope St. Pius X which is underground. It is a huge cavern, carved out partly from hard solid rock of the mountain, so huge I estimate it can accommodate and seat over 2,000 people.

There are other buildings, including one where confessions are available. One of the spiritual renewals is for pilgrims to go to confession and receive Holy Communion.

There is more to write about of Lourdes, but for the space limit.*

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