Some friends wondered why, for the third time, I made another trip to Lourdes in France. I’ve always had a spiritual connection with the town, with each trip as memorable as the last. Despite an almost five-hour train ride from Paris, I went back once more to pray and say thanks.
People from all over the world travel all the way to this town to pray to Our Lady of Lourdes. The 18 Marian apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 started the devotion, eventually attracting millions to visit the town to experience the miraculous healing. Almost every Catholic who has visited would have brought home the water from Lourdes that continuously flows from the spring in the grotto.
My first time at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes was as a delegate of the University of Santo Tomas when I was in college. After the activities at the World Youth Day then in Köln, Germany, our itinerary included other religious sites in different parts of Europe. At first sight, I was amazed at the architectural design of The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. I always thought that the basilica’s architecture was quite grand with its massive size, designed with long and pointed spires.
After that initial experience, I always prayed that I would be able to bring my family to Lourdes to experience the devotion and the torchlight Marian procession in the evening. Thirteen years later, my prayers were granted. It was a memorable experience for my family to have been there even for a night and pray in unison with hundreds of people.
I was still emotionally and spiritually moved during my last trip in October of 2024. After getting off the SNCF train at Gare de Lourdes, I proceeded to walk to my hotel. I still remembered the path going to the busier area of the town that’s closer to the sanctuary. After check-in, I immediately went to my first stop.
The grotto of Massabielle was where the Marian apparition appeared to Saint Bernadette. The entire area was as solemn as the first time I was there. I was crying with gratitude to have the chance to visit the grotto to pray once more. The whole environment was so calm and peaceful that it was a perfect scene to reflect and gather one’s thoughts more clearly.
After visiting the grotto, I crossed the Gave de Pau river to go to the Chapel of Lights. After lighting a candle, I stayed a little longer to extend my prayers for the health and wellbeing of all the people who have extended kindness and generosity to me all throughout. Although I may not be suffering from physical ailments like a number of people who go there to be blessed, I always pray for spiritual and mental healing, that I may be cleansed of all negativities that weigh me down.
I was looking forward to the torchlight Marian procession at nine in the evening but due to the continuous rainfall, the prayers were instead moved indoors to the Église Saint-Bernadette. There, as the prayers were said in different languages, I felt the union of the shared devotion of people from diverse nationalities. I realized that although we were all praying for different things, we all extended the same love to Our Lady of Lourdes.
The next morning, I woke up early and enjoyed a tranquil walk around the sanctuary. I was fortunate to hear mass organized by a tour group at the grotto. It was already quite cold and chilly, and I opted not to do the full bath with the blessed water. Still, I always encourage friends who have plans to go to experience the bath even once in their lifetime.
From the banks of the Gave de Pau river, I witnessed the beautiful dawn of the new day as the backdrop of the basilica. The changing colors of the sky reminded me that amid all the darkness, there will always be hope for light and the promise of a brighter day. It was simply magical.
The beauty and majesty of Lourdes lies not only in the religious importance of the town, but also in the shared devotion of all who believe in the healing powers of prayer. Sadly, I overheard from a tour guide that the number of tourists who have been going has significantly declined after the pandemic. It might not be the usual tourist destination, but I always recommend a short visit to the town to have a peaceful respite from the many troubles faced in life, and ask for spiritual guidance to alleviate any sufferings endured.