In the Steps of Bernadette: Lourdes

As a Catholic, I grew up watching movies about Lourdes, Bernadette, and the holy water that springs up out of the ground there.  I was lucky enough to have visited this city one time before with a good friend as I was studying abroad, and I was not about to say no when my sister asked if we could go back.

At the holy water spickets

The town of Lourdes cracks me up because it is so plainly obvious that this was just a little country town buried in the mountains until it became a pilgrimage site.  You walk off the train, and immediately see nothing but hotels, restaurants, and places to by holy water containers, rosaries, and other souvenirs.  However, once you arrive at the grotto, you understand why this city has been able to be built up around this holy site.  There is something so beautiful about all of these people from different countries coming to pray to Mary. Pretty stinking cool.

Know that you were all in my thoughts and prayers while Juliana and I were there.  We were lucky enough to be there on All Saints' Day, so we found a mass, and a candlelight rosary that evening.  We also lit a few candles for you all and left them alongside the prayers of everyone else who had visited Lourdes.

Much love to all,
Angie