Pilgrimage To Lourdes II

Friday, October 12, 2012 - the second day.
Lucas, Martha, Marion and I went to Sts. Cosmos and Damian Chapel for the 9 AM English mass. The mass was con-celebrated by several priests. Attendees came from English speaking countries like USA or Canada perhaps. There were several Asians (Malaysians, Vietnamese, Filipinos) too. During the mass, I learned from the priest that yesterday Oct 11, 2012 (the day we arrived) was the start of the "Year of Faith".  Wow! It couldn't have been be more timely and appropriate that we came to Lourdes at the on-set of the pontifical year of faith.

Roy and Emil arrived just before the mass ended. They waited for us outside of the chapel. After the mass, we proceeded to the bath house. Surprise of all surprises, there was no queue at all! The men went straight to their cubicles and so did we girls to our own pools. Randomly, I was separated from Martha and Marion. Somehow I was glad the girls were not with me because I wanted to be emotional. I  wanted to be cleansed from my pains and troubles and illnesses, so I cried. I wanted God to have mercy and pity me. The attendants at the bath were sympathetic. They were very helpful and efficient. I clutched two rosaries in my right hand: one was the rosary of Roy's art teacher who requested him that I dip her beads in the pool. Another one was my own short red travelling rosary. It was given to me by my sister-in-law Jean after coming home from a vacation in Boracay. I asked the attendants if I could bring the 'rosary' with me to the pool and they all assented, but I didn't realize that I would be submerged only up to my neck with my arms being held. When I was thus submerged and told to rise, I soon realized my rosaries were not dipped in the water.
"Wait" I halted my steps.
"No, no, no!" they all cried out.
"You are wet already" One of the girls said.
But I struggled and tried to show my right hand. "My rosary" I said.
They released their grip on me shortly and I was able to quickly dip the two rosaries into the water. The attendants were really nice people. They brought me back to the dressing area and contrary to what many people said that one dries up instantaneously after the cold dip; I was wet but not cold. The attendants helped me dressed up although I told them I could do it myself. One girl specially fussed over me and said it was her job to help. As I was still sniffing from my tears, I let her helped. I guessed she was a dedicated volunteer. These volunteers were really nice people.

When I came out from the bath, my family was all outside waiting for me. Everybody was smiling, happy to be able to do the bathe (specially without queuing). We all had different experiences.
"It was actually very refreshing." Roy said.

After the pool, we went straight back to the grotto again. This time there was a throng of people. We stood and mingled in lines and patiently waited for our turn. This time I did not forget to bring the letter entrusted to me by my daughter-in-law Angel and managed to drop it correctly into the petition box. Yet, however, I still missed to see the in-cased place where St. Bernadette dug the spring because my mind was somewhat wondering. Before reaching the apparition site, there was an Asian woman standing near the cave with a drinking bottle held in her hand. She was patiently filling her bottle with drops of water coming from the stone cave. The people in line just let her be. It was an act of faith maybe. Just as before, the grotto's passage seemed too short. But I did see a single rose in bloom near the statue of our Virgin Mother. That was significant.

After the grotto, we went back to the well again to drink and get some water. Some of the taps were still quite accessible for all of us to partake. Happily, this was a morning meaningfully well spent - our acts of faith.

As you know, we were quite an adventurous lot hence we proceeded to further explore the Lourdes area. My eager children were well prepared with their directions. We easily got to the underground basilica, a holding for bigger congregation of people for big events. We got in, prayed and got out into the other side of the town. This side not surprisingly was also lined with souvenir stores. We ate at a local restaurant and walked the shops.

Of course we did some shopping. Infact my favorite store was the one next to my hotel. I bought medallions for my daughters, myself, habilins, pasalubongs etc. The very friendly sales lady gave me 15% discount for all my purchases. She even gave me 2 ballpens for free and a rose smelling rosary too.

In the evening, we followed the Marian procession again. This time, a Tagalog version of Hail Mary was recited. The crowd was getting bigger, yet I wasn't scared about it anymore. I felt fairly contented because I had mostly done what I intended to do in Lourdes.............. my second day. ( to be continued )