Life at Lourdes

Sanctuary of the chapel of Ss. Cosmas & Damien

Many people have been wondering what I an doing at the Sanctuary of Lourdes.  The sanctuary has six official languages in which sacraments and prayers are celebrated:  French, Italian, Spanish, English, German and Dutch (Flemish).  I have volunteered to assist the English-speaking pilgrims.  My work is largely with those individuals, families and groups of English-speakers who did not come on formal pilgrimages with their own priest.  There is also a rotating group of volunteers to the shrine who come from English-speaking countries.  They come to Lourdes to assist daily the pilgrims and sick who arrive at the sanctuary in the thousands each day. The morning Mass celebrated in the Chapel of Ss. Cosmas and Damian (Two early Roman Martyrs who were brothers in addition to being physicians) is of a varying sized crowd between 50 and 150 or so.  In fact a good portion of them are from the Philippines.

The other major work I have is celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation with the hundreds who come for Confession each day.  There are at least two or three English-speaking priests hearing confessions each day.

The Reconciliation Chapel before penitents arrive. 

These confessions are not your run of the mill confessions from an ordinary Saturday afternoon.  The sanctuary and the nature of the place have made for some intense and fruitful experiences for those who come seeking healing.  I must admit the emotions and yearnings of the penitents has been far more intense and taxing than I had anticipated.  Nevertheless, I feel that later on in life I will look back at these days and recall them as some of the most beneficial and useful of my priestly ministry.


Daily Schedule

6AM - Rise

6:40AM - Morning Prayers

7AM - Breakfast (Bowl of cafe au lait)

7:30-7:45AM - Visit the Grotto

8AM - Holy Hour

9AM - Mass for the English-speaking pilgrims

10-11:15AM - Hear Confessions

12:30PM - Dinner (Main Meal)

2-6PM - Hear Confessions

7:30PM - Supper

9PM - Candlelight Procession

10:30PM - Night Prayers

11PM - Bed