I went to Lourdes last summer with a group of people from my college. We volunteered at a local hospital and got to experience pretty much everything Lourdes had to offer in one week. It was hard work but so amazing. I’m not Christian but I was still touched by the atmosphere of the place. I don’t even like sharing my memories with anyone who didn’t go, because it’s like, “Well, you aren’t in the Lourdes Club!” They are memories that I wouldn’t part with for the world. I’m going back in July for another week. It seems like our visits are always going to fall on my birthday; 18th this year, baby! The drinks are on me.
I’ve attached a picture of pilgrims lingering to see the statue of the Virgin after a torchlight procession. I took that from the top of the basilica (which looks remarkably like the Disney castle and features paintings of God on the walls) on my second night. The procession is far nicer to watch than to be a part of, in my opinion, although my that’s probably due to the fact that it rained throughout ours.
