Lourdes
12/9/2016
We took a series of trains from Barcelona to Lourdes, and arrived at our hotel, Hotel Atlantic, in mid afternoon. This is the same hotel Jim and I stayed in in 2014. The proprietors, Elizabeth and Greg, warmly welcome all guests, and treat all like royalty.
Since we only had the rest of today, due to a 6:10 train tomorrow morning, we made our way over to the Shrine, and saw all that we could. We covered as much area as possible, including the Grotto, and Jim delivered to Our Lady all of the prayer requests from the people at St. Charles. The 4 of us had dinner at our hotel, which was absolutely delicious! We then returned to the Shrine for the evening rosary.
Every night, people who visit the baths at Lourdes for healing are assisted by attendants, and given the place of honor at the beginning of the procession. Immediately following the honored guests, several designees carry the pedestal upon which rests a glass encased shrine of Our Lady. Following the shrine are all of the pilgrims who have come to visit the Shrine. This rosary procession happens every evening at sunset. The grounds are lit with ambient light, to which is added the glow of several thousand pilgrims carrying lit candles, and praying the rosary in several different languages. It is very difficult to leave this experience and not be moved. Our friends from Arizona, Jane and Ric, had not been to Lourdes before. It was a great experience for all of us, and not one that we will soon forget.