Visiting Lourdes, France
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381909)
Rockingham, Australia
July 7, 2017 3:00am CST
We were so close to Lourdes on our journey through France that we decided not to miss it. We found a lovely camping ground and tried to catch a bus into town but in the end we caught a taxi from the train station where the bus-stop was.
We shared the taxi with a Moroccan woman and her son. We participated in the 9pm procession of pilgrims round the Domain in front of the basilica. I thought prices here might be outrageous as it is such a popular destination but prices have been very reasonable. Our candles in their holders cost only 50p each.
It was a bit sobering to see so many in wheel-chairs being taken to the procession. No doubt many will visit the baths while they are here. We are leaving shortly but driving closer to the town centre. With luck, we’ll find a parking spot. We’d like to have a better look at the basilica and also visit the grotto.
It was quite hot even at 10pm and the shops and restaurants were doing a good trade in souvenirs and drinks. We sat and had a beer and a white wine at a street-side café before catching a taxi back to the camping ground. I’ll have more and better photos of the ‘real’ Lourdes later.
24 people like this
19 responses
@Juliaacv (56227)
• Canada
7 Jul 17
A few days after I had my brain tumor removed back in 1974, a nun at the hospital came in a gave me a blessing and sprinkled holy water on me from Lourdes. My eyes were swollen shut for 3 days following the surgery, and on that day they opened-not sure if it qualifies as a miracle or not but I can understand people with worse ailments going to Lourdes, with wheelchairs, canes and other devices.
11 people like this
@franxav (14588)
• India
7 Jul 17
I was glad to hear your witness. Lourdes is the holy place where Mary , Mother of Jesus appeared to Bernadette, a village girl, in 1858. Bernadette herself was healed of a skin disease by washing herself in the stream indicated by Mother Mary. Since then, countless people have been cured of their illnesses in the holy site. Many have left their crutches behind in Lourdes after they were able to walk.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (381910)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
I'm sure it is very helpful for many and that is the main thing. It's like copper bracelets and such other things. If you feel better for wearing it, who cares whether there is any logical reason? The main thing is that you find it helps.
1 person likes this
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@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Jul 17
I think the movie The Song of Bernadette was about a miracle at Lourdes.
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43579)
• Denver, Colorado
7 Jul 17
I've seen parts of it on TV. From what I've seen, it's a beautiful city.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (381910)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jul 17
Apart from the religious areas, it seemed much like any other city except that all the shops selling souvenirs had 'holy' names. We chanced upon Knock in Ireland (we'd never heard of it before) and either side of the highway were grubby little shops (St Francis, St John, St everybody else) all selling cheap and nasty souvenirs. Regarding French cities, only Paris has more hotels than Lourdes and only the Holy Land and Rome can boast more visitors. In that sense it's pretty amazing.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59708)
• Philippines
8 Jul 17
Sounds like you enjoyed your visit here.
Looking forward to seeing all the other photos that you took.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
8 Jul 17
Great photo and you are enjoying yourself there.
I would love to go there some time or another.
Tops is going there next week he will have a good time for sure.
Shame you could not meet if you are going away from there already.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
9 Jul 17
@JudyEv
I don´t blame you but that side of France if you had crossed the border the Mountains are quite something else.
Very nice where you are going also and Lourdes.
To visit Madrid or Barcelona you need time and space and a lot there is so much there to see.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381910)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jul 17
@lovinangelsinstead21 We are trying to avoid the big cities. We are not really city people and the bus is very hard to park sometimes.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
7 Jul 19
The prices in Fatima were not as good!! But I am glad you got to visit
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
8 Jul 19
@JudyEv It was a wicked tourist trap but I am glad we went.
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@JudyEv (381910)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 19
@BelleStarr Charities and churches are big business nowadays - another thing that makes me cross. Some aren't very 'charitable' at all.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91044)
• United States
7 Jul 17
What a great opportunity to be able to visit Lourdes. I'm sure many there were on a pilgrimage for healing? Growing up Catholic I remember the story of Our Lady of Lourdes
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381910)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 17
We had a coffee in a shop before the procession and dozens of people in wheelchairs were wheeled past the shop down towards the 'domain'. (I think that's what they call it.) There was a little girl with her Mum but she's obviously lost her hair and some with oxygen bottles. Others with crutches and walking frames. It was very sad. I truly hope their visit brought them some relief and comfort.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91044)
• United States
8 Jul 17
@JudyEv I've always believed that miracles happen at Lourdes but not necessarily for everyone. You certainly have been experiencing some wonderful moments on your trip
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381910)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 17
@Marilynda1225 The 'Church' investigates any so-called miracles and certain criteria have to be met but I'm sure many sufferers benefit in smaller ways. Many would claim to have experienced a miracle even if it didn't fill all the church criteria.
@JudyEv (381910)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 17
Thanks I might replace my profile pic with this one.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
8 Jul 17
i'm so glad y'all didn't miss such, hon. that'd been a shame. nice to share a taxi 'n meet some new folks, eh? i'm surprised the prices were reasonable 'n ya joined the procession. lovely pic 'f yerself :) can't wait to see/read more 'f yer travels. i'm way 'hind yet 'gain, so mightn't hit 'em'n order, lol. big hugs!
1 person likes this
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Thinking of those who suffer worse, always makes me feel embarrassed of groaning moaning so loud over the tiny burdens I have.