Day 5 - A test of faith

After writing last night I showered and washed my hair in prep for leaving Paris tomorrow today.  I used my straightener, but it wouldn't heat up.  Of course Cory was sleeping, so when he woke up I told him what was going on.  I had blown the fuse of the converter:(  That meant no computer, internet, booking hotels and trains, etc.  We had the train and hotel for Lourdes, but after that nothing.  It wasn't looking good for finding a fuse in the small town of Lourdes on a Sunday.  Between worrying and praying that night, I didn't sleep too well.  God had provided for us so far, what was my problem?  Yee of little faith.

We had to catch a 10:00 train for Lourdes.  If any of you know Cory, you know he is a VERY last minute kind of guy.  He has been so good about letting me plan the sites to visit, I thought I would just trust him with this.  After all he only missed one flight in all his travels.  So off we went taking the subway, making 2 transfers and arriving at the bustling train station.  We have to retrieve our tickets and of course the normal retrieval process doesn't work so we have to find the right agent to help and then wait in a line to talk with her.  At first she cant find our reservation, but eventually does.  Now we have to figure what platform  (of the 10) we need to board from and what path to get there.  We find the platform, board the train, and the train takes off 10 minutes after we sit down.  Cory is in heaven, no waiting.  I am in tears, so Cory agrees we will allow more time next time.

Off for Lourdes.  The scenery is beautiful, but the train is very warm.  A/C is not a given around here.

We arrive around 4 in the afternoon.  The temps are summer like.  Claude, the train agent, helps us arrange our train out of Lourdes and into Italy.  We need a hote in Nice because the train doesn't travel at night.  He takes care of that too.  He was our first angel.  So off to Hotel St. Etienne "a short walk" away, after we figure out which of the winding streets to take.

About this time Cory is about to pitch my luggage into the river.  I overpacked, so it is heavy and it doesn't roll easily.  So here is Cory, large backpack on his back, and carrying my bag over his arm, me with the small backpack weighing about 40 pounds, the camera case and an overnight bag walking the "short way" to the hotel.  What a sight!  We finally make it and unload into our room, the size of my walk in closet, but the view out the window is beautiful.

The Shrine of Lourdes is about 2 blocks from out hotel, so we stroll down "souvenier row" to see what it is all about.  Most everthing indoors is closed, but we are able to see the massive outside of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Grotto where Mary appeared to Bernadette.  The grounds are incredible with a beautiful shallow river running along side.  We didn't stay too long because we were starving.  We had dinner at an outdoor cafe across the street from our hotel.  Food was very good and life in Lourdes is much cheaper than Paris :)

Cory went back to the hotel and I went back to the shrine for Mass and the evening procession.  I attended mass, I think in German, and then participated/witnessed the evening candlelight procession from the Grotto to the Santuaries.  A statue of the Immaculate Conception led the way for 6 - 8000 prayerful pilgrims.  The procession consisted of prayer, song and incredible reverence.  What an awesome site to see the candles lighting the evening sky.  I walked around the entire area to get a perspective from different sites. WOW!  Unfortunately I didn't have the camera but I don't think it will be a site I will soon forget.

After the procession I went to the Adoration Chapel.  As I sat there I realized how universal our faith is.  I had attended mass in German, but I could follow along reciting the prayers in English, sat in front of Our Lord at adoration, just like in Florissant and recited the rosary with people from all over the world.  I truly felt the verse, many parts but all one body.

What a wonderful way to end the day.  On my way back to the hotel, the street is lined with souvenier shops.   I couldn't resist buying a liter jug to take my Lourdes holy water home in.

Laying in my bed and looking out into the evening sky at the castle atop the mountain illuminated by a full moon was the peace I needed at that time.

love ya.