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The Long Journey Home

Quickly: we all got up early on Tuesday anddheaded to the airport in Lourdes for what turned into an eight hour party and prayer meeting. And I mean both in the best ways. It was a great time to share our experiences and pray the Rosary together. A few may have gotten a minute or two of sleep.

And then we were home. No more ‘Aves’ or processions. No more uniforms or name-tags. The end of the Pilgrimage is always a shock – but it is true goal of any pilgrimage.

Sure we ‘go on pilgrimage’ to a shrine, but being in the shrine is not the end-point. The end-point is the moment we open the front door of home. All the graces and promises made in a holy place have a singular purpose of living life outside of the holy place. In other words, a place of pilgrimage is really a rest stop on a far more enduring path. In a highly mobile society, we often forget this because every Catholic makes (or should) a weekly pilgrimage to what the Church calls “the source and summit” of the Christian life. Like Lourdes, we take all our needs, hopes, contritions, and thanksgiving to the Sunday Mass and offering them, we receive the grace to keep going.

A pilgrimage like ours in Lourdes was an intense experience of what should be the norm. The care and charity of the Members of Malta is an incarnation of the communion we hold as members of the Body of Christ. The fervor of our Grotto Prayer is a focus of the continuous chorus of praise offered each day by the Faithful. The refreshment of the waters is a highlighted parallel of those little Holy Water stoops at the entrance to our local parish. Yes, Lourdes is unique, but not isolated.

So the one summery point I can make is this: the Pilgrimage has not ended. I discovered that personally since my first experience of Massabielle. It is hard for me to hear the chirping of birds without thinking of the Grotto. Just a personal expression and impression, I know, by every pilgrim comes away with a grace. This is one of many that because of the opportunities given me by the Order of Malta, I have taken on my own personal journey. Yours will be there and as real.

Despite my meager efforts here, I hope this blog has allowed you to reflect on this wonderful event. I hope, in particular, that the Malades in Spirit found a comfort and a grace in their union with those who made the physical trip to Lourdes. We have all sung the ‘Ave’ on a pilgrimage that continues.

As St. Augustine wrote:

Sing, but keep going. What do I mean by keep going? Keep on making progress. This progress must be in virtue; for there are some, the Apostle warns, whose only progress is in vice. If you make progress, you will be continuing your journey, but be sure that your progress is in virtue, true faith, and right living. Sing then — but keep going.

(St. Augustine: Sermo 256, I.2.3.: PL 38, 1191-1193)

Closing Festivities

Thank God He does not keep His promises like I do! A million apologies for the inconsistency of this blog.

When I was coming to the end of College, I participated in the festivities of ‘Senior Week’ which remain some of my fondest and happiest of memories. It was an attempt to sum up (in the usual activities of college students) the years past. It was emotional and powerful.

Our last night in Lourdes was something more. Yes, we honored and thanked those who worked so hard on this and the other pilgrimages and did so gladly. Yes, we crammed into the dining room of the D’Estaing because that would be the final moment we were physically in the same situation. But I believe there was something profound in our common reflection that was imbued with the Spirit of God.

I would not dare to attempt to list the specifics in some attempt to recreate it. I don’t think that is advisable or possible because, as the Oracle said to Neo, “what is given is given for you and you alone.” What we heard and perceived was the power of faith in two very different pilgrims who found a common grace in the Presence of God. We heard and sang songs drenched with the nearness of the One who inspired them. We left to begin the next - not the last – stage.

Going back to the hotel on the quiet street by River Gave, I noticed the town had emptied a bit as the weekenders from all over Europe went back to whatever they do. And in that damp coolness, we were following as if we were still holding our candles in procession raised as we sang the ‘Ave.’

It was a good night.

The Evening Draws Near

I guess you can tell that this has been a busy pilgrimage. Again, I apologize for not updating this blog as often as I would have like to.

Yesterday concluded with the Eucharistic Procession and the blessing of malades. It is interesting to note that it is here where most of the miracles of Lourdes have taken place. So once again, Mary points to her Son.

Today (Monday) is the last full day of the Pilgrimage. We began with a Mass in the Upper Basilica – and this was a beautiful morning. Bishop Smith of Trenton, New Jersey hit a home run with his homily of what Christ, the Good Shepherd, means and how we are led to eternal life by Him. At this Mass we also celebrated the First Communion of one of our pilgrims, Alexa.

After Mass, we broke into different groups to pray the stations of the Cross. I met with three of our children in the hotel lounge and may the ‘spiritual walk’ of the cross with them. After lunch we broke again into reflection groups and then took the free time to go to the Grotto, shopping or packing.

In a little while we will have our last dinner and then have closing festivities. I’m not sure what they are exactly, but I know from experience they will be good.

The Lord's Day in Lourdes

Sorry if the silence led you to think nothing was going on here in Lourdes!

Today is Sunday and it is beautiful. The sun is brilliants but not roasting. Last night I mentioned it was a night out for the care givers among us. The evening began with a meeting of members of the Order of Malta at an address by the Grand Master. First-timers were given a pilgrimage medal that will start to collect the little crosses of future pilgrimages.

Being a pastoral-care type, I checked on the care-givers enjoying themselves in an undisclosed location.

This morning began with the Internal Mass at the gigantic Pius X basilica. Cardinal O’Malley of Boston was the celebrant of this multi-lingual Mass of around 20,000 people.

It is always amazing to be among that many people praying and singing. After Mass (and it is a long one), I went with the children to grab a McDonald’s picnic and see the fort overlooking the town.

I am heading over to the Eucharistic procession now and hope to get some time (yeah, right!) to reflect with you more than a ‘pray-by-pray’ account of our pilgrimage.

Again, all of you are in our prayers here.

At the Grotto…

One of the highlights of any pilgrimage here is to have Mass in the Grotto itself. Today we were fortunate to be in the place Mary appeared and celebrated Mass with Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston.

It has been a cool yet sunny day that is a welcomed relief from the rain and drizzle thus far. Immediately after Mass, I placed the petitions entrusted to me at the Grotto. I also have made – as many others have as well – a special intention for the Malades in Spirit who are very much with us in prayer.

The Grand Master of the Order of Malta then distributed pilgrim medals to the three Associations from the USA.

And in the emerging sunshine, we continued one of the great traditions of Lourdes – the group photo.

So the pilgrimage is going very well and this afternoon is a time for reflection groups and ‘Caregivers Night Out.”

Catch you later.

Come Here in Procession

Well the weather has cleared up a bit and spiirits are high. It has been a busy day with some of the significant moments focused on the reasons so many come to Lourdes.

The malades had the opportunity to go into the baths fed by the sprIng St. Bernadette herself opened on the instructions of our Lady. Most found it a wonderful experience that brought a quiet sense of peace.

We later had a sacramental experience of healing at a special Mass and Annointing of the Sick.

After dinner, we joined in one of the great and most memorable experiences of the pilgrimagge: the candlelight procession. Thousands joined in the Rosary prayed in so many langges. At Mass and the other events, please know that you have been remembered in our prayers.

The Waters of Lourdes

Okay, when you read this title you may think of the miraculous spring opened by St. Bernadette. That is correct, but the waters of Lourdes can also describe the weather conditions here. Yesterday it poured. To be honest it was a torrential downpour and everything – and everyone – got wet. Well not everyone – the malades were kept dry and toasty by the Knights and Dames.

Today there is constant drizzle and it is damp. But even with this, spirits are high and it really is a great joy to be together in this holy place. It is now lunchtime and after lunch, the malades will be heading to the famous baths of Lourdes. More on that later.

This morning there was a time of reflection and prayer for most of the pilgrimage. I don’t have any reviews on that at this time because I was with the children making the footsteps of St. Bernadette. We began at the place of her birth and went to the church of her baptismal font. We gathered around the font and I asked the children and adults to renew their own baptism by making the sign of the cross. I sprinkled our little congregation with water from that font and as I did, the organ pealed. And no one could have planned it better! From there we journeyed to the cachot which is the former jail that was the house of St. Bernadette’s family at the time of the first apparition of our Lady. We made the same journey she did as we traveled down the hills to the Grotto. To know we were walking and riding the same steps to the same place she did was very moving.

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So all in all, the pilgrimage is going very well and we are remembering at these sacred places all of those we are carrying here in prayer.

Again or schedule today will be an opportunity for the pilgrims at the baths and we have Mass this afternoon with the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. After dinner, we are planning on the rosary procession. God bless and pray for us as we pray for you.

Opening Mass

The Opening Mass of all three associations of the Malta USA filled the Holy Rosary basllica to capacity. It was a wonderful celebration and helped orient all of us the spiritual meaning of why we - and you - are here.

To be honest, most of us a exhausted so more tomorrow as the fresh day dawns.

Arrival

Well, we are in Lourdes. We are meeting right now trying to coordinate the schedules. I would personally like to give a shout out to St. Anthony who has been much-invoked in regard to luggage, room keys, etc.

We are getting things together so not much to report right now. The Tri-USA Malta Mass is at 4 which really opens the pilgrimage. Hopefully we have a few pictures. It is a cool and lovely day and there is snow on the caps of the mountains.

All is well. Pray for us as we are praying for you.

Newark Liberty Airport

We are here in Newark Liberty Airport goingg through check-in, security and eating snacks and such. We board at 7 and anticipate taking off around 9. You can feel the excitement and it is good to see the gang.

Order of Malta
Lourdes 2009 pilgrimage

A Personal Journey

“I looked from afar…”

Welcome to the Order of Malta Lourdes Pilgrimage 2009 blog. My name is Father Robert Dunn and I am a priest of the Archdiocese of New York,. I was ordained in 1992 and am presently the Chaplain of the Jeanne Jugan Residence run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Bronx, New York. This is my fifth pilgrimage to Lourdes. I first went as a malade (some one who is sick) in May of 2007 because I have Multiple Sclerosis. It has been a great privilege to return for the Malta May Pilgrimage as well as to be Chaplain for the Summer Youth Pilgrimage.

This blog is an attempt to bring you to Lourdes. Many of you are spiritually making this pilgrimage with us as Malades in Spirit. I know many of you have family or friends joining us for these few days. And a good number are just checking in to see what’s happening.

So what is happening? Why Lourdes?

Lourdes is a very personal journey. Looking forward, with bags half-packed, we are excited. Some old friends will be coming; new names appear on lists. We’re starting to check the weather and wonder if we should pack or unpack that extra sweater. And that perpetual question rises once again: did I pack the right voltage converter? The excitement and the challenge is to bring our lives to Lourdes. It is the transfer of the ordinary and seemingly minor details of daily life arranged in a suitcase. But I’m not talking only about things.

We all bring our lives as they are to this holy place. We – especially the sick and disabled -carry all the pains and joys, concerns and values that constitute who we are. Lourdes is known for being a place of healing. The waters of Lourdes have a world-wide reputation for miraculous powers. It is no wonder millions of people visit Lourdes each year. A good number of them are visibly sick or disabled. Are they – are we – looking for a miracle for themselves or some one they care for?

Yes. Absolutely.

I am one of them. Miracles abound in the cool shade of the Grotto but I am very aware that folks are not throwing away their medicine, abandoning wheelchairs or canceling chemotherapy infusions. Every person standing below the niche where the Lady appeared is there for a miracle. Every person who turns to her Son for help in getting through this life is expecting one. And they – we – should.

So what is a miracle?

I was torn on this one. Here I am, a Catholic Priest, who has a progressive neurological condition, was asking what any person in my place would be asking: why doesn’t God do something and make this better? And He seems to be awfully quiet answering this one! I tried to figure this out since it was the 800-lb gorilla in the room: why am I not better after all those trips to the Grotto? It’s a fair question and an obvious one.

Am I there to be healed or cured? A cure is a “re-boot” of life that [instantly] eliminates all that is bio-mechanically wrong. Healing is much more. It soothes the soul as well as mind and body. It cuts to the core and blesses the person rather than just eliminating the illness or disability. Regardless of how serious, we may know that things are far from right, but we are never far from His love. Sure, I’d be the first to ask this illness or disability be removed – but I wouldn’t be, would I? (Don’t get me wrong; it would be very much appreciated!) That, after all, was the first part Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: Father, let this cup pass from me.

The personal journey of Lourdes is to the second part of His prayer: but let Your will be done, not my will. This is not an easy path and all the flowers and sweetness we have will not hide its difficulties. The grace of Lourdes is the advice only a Mother can give. She points to her Son and prays for us that we have the strength to do as He did.

Lourdes, with all its scarred humanity, is a holy place because each person along the riverbank resembles Jesus in His sacred humanity. The great grace of Lourdes is the vision to see that in the mirror. No, we do not have to travel to Europe for this benediction; God is not that petty or weak. We go to Lourdes at every Mass when we say: only say the word and I shall be healed.

I hope these reflections will be an aid on your personal pilgrimage to Lourdes. I am pretty sure that these reflections over this coming week will not be as extensive or ‘preachy.’ The schedule is going to be tight and I am hoping that I will post before lunch and dinner (French time). So ‘stay tuned’ as they say. And here’s how…….

This page

I’ll announce when the blog is updated and you can “follow“ on Twitter - https://twitter.com/frdunn

And HERE is our proposed schedule (all times French local)

I will be placing intentions at the Grotto and am including a general intention for every Malade in Spirit and every reader of this blog.

If you encounter any problems reading or seeing this blog, please let me know. Many of you may have to “refresh” or “reload” your page if there are no new entries.

And finally….please say a prayer for me that all my toys and gadgets work well.

God bless and see you out there!