Every year, Lourdes, France, which is a pilgrimage destination for millions of catholics (and non catholics alike) opens up to a military pilgrimage. As the story goes, two catholic bishops, one french and one german, were held prisoners in concentration camps during WW II. They promised that if they made it out alive, they would go to Lourdes, to the grotto where Bernadette saw Mary, and pray for peace around the world. They both lived and fulfilled their promise. Following this, they invited soldiers from the french and german armies to come pray as well. The first official International Military Pilgrimage (or IMP) happend in 1958. This year, we celebrated the 53rd anniversary of the event. In 1858, a sickly teenage girl named Bernadette Soubrious saw apparitions of the Blessed Mother Mary on 18 seperate occasions. Since then dozens of miracles have been performed and water from a well where Mary told Bernadette to dig, still runs clear and fresh.
Each year, the German Army opens up one train car for guests to accompany them here. I wasn't able to go my first two years because Abby was so small and children are not allowed on the train....18 and above. I really wanted to go and I told myself that if it happens it happens but I would let it be. Then slowly, without me even doing anything, doors kept opening up for me. To make it that much more special my brother was able to accompany me! He flew over to stay with us for a few weeks and make the trip himself!
So, with babysitters (and daddy) in line for the kids, I found myself boarding a train with several other pilgrims. My buddy Catherine (who was one of the many factors in me getting there) and two other wonderful ladies shared a car. This train ride took 27 hours! But train is the only way to travel! We had a great time, sleeping and visiting, the fellowship could not be beat!
The mass is, for lack of a better word, is a "kick off" for the week. This event goes over a weekend, but since I left on a Wednesday and didn't come back until Tuesday, it was longer for us!
The church here is called the Sacred Heart of Jesus
One of our readings was done by our new friend Patrick, who flies apaches, but will one day become a fine priest!!!
After mass, we boarded the train again and were off to the lower part of France!
My friend (and fellow homeschooling mom) Michelle and her best friend Maria. Two very devout women and strong military wives who inspire others and certainly me! I was glad to have them as traveling companions!!!
I didn't get very many shots of the train. It took us through Switzerland and near the Mediterranean and we could all see it when the dawn came. As I said before, I loved the train!!! The German military was wonderful. We were in the very last car, so if you wanted to go to the food car to get a beer, you had to walk six cars up and as we did, all the soldiers popped there heads out and said hello! Fellow passengers were pleasant and there was a vibe of goodness everywhere.
When we arrived in Lourdes, they had wine and music to greet us off the platform!!!!!
We quickly boarded our bus, went to our hotel and then off for a whirlwind quick tour of Lourdes the city, and then the shrine.
I didn't get to take many pictures, but we saw Bernadette's house, where she lived when she was in poverty, the church where she was baptized and a walk through of the shops.
This is the bascilica square. A chapel was built on the very top of a hill above the grotto, in Mary's honor. After 153 years another chapel has been built over it, then a huge one called the Rosary Bascilica was erected below. All of these to accomodate all the visitors, pilgrims and tourists alike that come.
After that long train ride, the morning tour that took all day, we adjourned to our hotel and had dinner and got up and got ready for a weekend of spiritual renewal! So stay tuned....much, much more to come!!!
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