Lourdes – the Current of Faith in Healing Waters
How Miracles Attract Pilgrims to the Hautes Pyrénées in France
Aug 30, 2009
A century and a half has passed since a 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous saw the Blessed Virgin Mary appear 18 times at the Grotto of Massabielle. Prior to the apparitions Lourdes was a small market town which currently has a population of around 15 000 people.
The first apparition appeared on 11 February 1858 and changed the destiny of the town forever. This date proves to not only be significant to Roman Catholics around the world but also to a South African priest that has been staying in Lourdes for the past five years.
Father Paul Horrocks says that he was positive about the future of South Africa as the day that former President, Nelson Mandela, was released from prison, 11 February, coincided with the date that the first apparition appeared. “For Christians there are no such things as accidents. I believe that the Message of the Lady Lourdes and that of Nelson Mandela are linked."
Holy Water at the Grotto of Massabielle
Father Horrocks explains that the holy water that flowed from the rock at the Grotto of Massabielle is not blessed by human meditation but is accepted as a gift from God.
Witnessing the heartfelt-expressions of reverence and devotion of the people visiting the Grotto of Massabielle will be a moving experience even for a non-believer. It is incredible to think that many people have waited their entire lives to arrive at this shrine.
Father Horrocks also mentions that the holy baths were situated about a 100 meters from the Grotto itself and were available to all without distinction.
“However, some people with certain serious medical conditions may not be accepted but that is the exception.
Unexplained Healings that are Being Investigated in Lourdes
Father Horrocks explains that thousands of people have claimed that they had been miraculously healed in Lourdes and have submitted medical records to be investigated but that only 67 had been found to be medically unexplainable.
“Among those who witnessed one of those cures was Alexis Carrel (1873-1944) who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1912.”
He states that the most recent healing occurred about 25 years ago and that there are still a number of healings that are being investigated by the Medical Bureau of the Sanctuary.
When to Undertake a Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Lourdes usually attracts an average of about six million people annually and the most popular months to undertake a pilgrimage to the sacred destination are May, July and August.
Accommodation in Lourdes is definitely not a problem as it has the second highest number of hotels in France after Paris. There are also hotels available that are especially adapted to suit the needs of the handicapped, in total there are currently an estimated 270 different hotels.
Why Lourdes is a Miraculous Destination
Father Horrocks says that he has seen incredible events at Lourdes and that it is difficult for him to choose between two events in particular that he has been involved in.
“The first was giving a guided tour to a group of Palestinians and Israelis who belong to a group working for reconciliation between their two nations. I was deeply impressed by how none of them were Christian and yet were drawn to come here to pray and showed such interest in the sanctuary and respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
He adds that the other event involved a couple from Singapore who prayed for a baby at the Grotto after four miscarriages. Their prayer was answered a few months later when a baby girl was born to them.
“One of the qualities that make Lourdes so special is the way the sick are given priority, the way they show peace and even joy in the face of sometimes great suffering,” he comments.
As Madonna sings, Just Like Prayer, Lourdes can definitely take you there – no wonder she named her daughter after the renowned town.
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