DAY 12 - A MIRACLE IN FRANCE!

FRANCE

From:           Pyrenees - France

To:               Lourdes - France

Climate:        7C - 18C = 45 -65F

Altitude:       3400Meters /11000 ft

A MIRACLE IN FRANCE!

Do you believe in miracles? To date 200 million people have visited Lourdes-  all on account of their strong faith and belief in the 87 documented miracles which have taken place from the special water coming from the grotto.

Lourdes, beautifully nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees is one place off the beaten track not to be missed - regardless of your religious belief. 

The story goes as follows - in the 1800’s, a 13 years old French girl named Bernadette, claimed to have seen the vision of the Virgin Mary appear to her over 18 times at a Grotto in the mountains near to where she lived. Six years later a shine was built and today over 5 million people a year visit there as a Pilgrimage and in hopes of a cure for the sick. They have 15,000 people living and focus the town on the Church - hospitals, hotels, ( second to Paris per sq meter), gift shops, restaurants etc...

Although I was brought up with 12 years of Catholic schooling and contrary to my mother’s wishes did not turn out to be very religious, I am always drawn to stop by Lourdes while passing through France. This is my 5^th time and Bob’s 3^rd.  No matter how little or how strong your faith is - once you are there the atmosphere will make you feel humble, bring you to your knees and put tears in your eyes as you end up  in awe of how many people come from afar to make this journey – based on faith alone. 

I said a special prayer for everyone I know…… 

For Bob and I the evening was even more special. Each night at 9pm there is a procession, which takes place around the Church and river. This night was special because there was a Charity group from England ( HCTP) which is the largest worldwide Children Pilgrimage group in the world. There were over 15,000 children from all over with their country, branch, group leaders, support and banners all taking part of the processions each holding a burning candle in the night. We estimated an easy 100,000 people walking in the procession. ( Yes - more than on the Camino de Santigago).

They were pouring in from everywhere and mostly all young. They were singing and praying. It was actually quite moving. A young man from the HCTP group explained to me that they have branches all over the world and come to Lourdes once a year at Easter time with over 15,000 children at a time!!! Quite a sight to see and very special to have been a part of.

Candles burning everywhere from all over the world. 

This is where the water still comes out from the rocks themselves.

This is where Bernadette claims to have seen the vision.

I usually stop there to get some of the “curing” water for others - which unknown to man still pours out of the Grotto after all these years. For those who know me and my migraines, I dunk my head in the water in hopes of a cure, but quickly relinquish any hope or request when I see all the other people there with such serious illnesses, especially multitudes of small sick children. Needless to say being there makes you feel grateful.

So if anyone wants any of this special water, I now have some. It has been known to cure. If you do not know the story of Lourdes, read up on it, as it is an interesting one.

Tomorrow's destination is going to be a geography test for everyone! Study up!

Thanks for joining... stay tuned ....

night night...

jasmine

( thanks for the comments - we have more room in the back seat so come along)

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner