Lourdes - Day Zero

 

 

 (airport chapel)

 

The day began at London Gatwick airport with midday mass in the airport chapel, a tiny jewel of a place, an oasis of calm amid the bustle. The celebrant was Father Ian Byrnes, one of our party travelling to Lourdes, assisted by Deacon Ian Wells, the airport chaplain.

The Easyjet flight to Toulouse took off an hour late. Then, as we arrived at the bus stop in Toulouse Airport to catch a bus into the city railway station, the driver obviously spotted us ...and drove off at speed. We must have looked a disreputable lot, probably the sort to cause trouble - we might have sung Ave Maria or even said a rosary on the bus. So, we had to wait 30 minutes for the next one. And we missed the 6.30pm train to Lourdes that we were booked on.

 

(waiting for a bus at Toulouse Airport)

We did catch a later train but our troubles weren't over, the train interior was hot, maybe 35+ degrees and there were blockages on the line so the train kept stopping and starting. We arrived in Lourdes at 10.30pm on Thursday 25th July, a party of 20 adults, including the deaf and hearing impaired, plus two small infants, all tired, hot and sticky, hungry beyond belief.

Then the Lourdes magic took over. A coach was waiting and whisked us to the incomparable Hotel Europe where a three-course dinner was waiting (at 10.30pm!). The wonderful owners and staff worked their magic and after the three course meal, including a great boeuf bourguignon and a coffee ice cream desert to die for, we were ready to hit the town.

So we wandered down to the Domaine at midnight, the souvenir shops all closed but the cafes, pubs and restaurants in the surrounding area crowded and lively, mostly teenagers, helpers and pilgrims.

It was quiet and still in the Domaine, very dark, few features lit, and only about 30 people in the Grotto, the Grotto candles extinguished and a workman chiselling away the melted wax on the ground. There was a short line of people touring the Grotto interior itself, touching the rock face, mouthing prayers or pleas, while other sat, stood or knelt in front of the Grotto. There was a constant cool breeze that added to the sense of calm and peace that also flowed over us.

When we left at 1.30am the town was still busy in parts but we only had thoughts of bed..