A pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes to the Feast of Easter

After leaving Bourg, we made our way to the Pyrenees town of Lourdes.  The Sanctuary holds a particular sacredness and peace as pilgrims from around the world honor and invoke the Mother of God. Despite the mountainous cold and a bit of rain, we each experienced a deepening of our relationship with Mary.  Many of us were drawn into Mary’s tenderness through the baths.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation brought further peace to several of us.  And we were all moved by the Life-Sized Stations of the Cross. Of particular reflection was the manner in which Jesus “welcomes” his cross with outstretched arms.

Lourdes was a wonderful preparation for Holy Week.  Mother Maria dos Anjos gave us a three day retreat which was focused on the Liturgy of that first part of Holy Week.  Her sharing helped us to prepare for the great mystery which was unfolding before us.  A quote of particular impact was, “If you touch the Cross it burns you. If you embrace the Cross it transforms you!”  The Sacred Triduum was celebrated with great reverence here in Castel. A special treat was experiencing the universality of devotion to the Way of the Cross by those who attended the service at the Colosseum with Pope Francis.  The Liturgies were enhanced by Fr. Ska’s great knowledge of Scripture and Sr. Lorraine’s skilled rendition of Gouzes.

Easter Sunday was a day of great joy and celebration, complete with good food, many Alleluias and spirited fun and games.