Maison des Chapelains

I mentioned previously that I would post about where I am living in Lourdes.  The Maison des Chapelains  (Chaplains' House) is located to the left of the upper Basilica of the Immaculate Conception further up the hill.  It houses the offices and full-time chaplains who take care the the visiting pilgrims to Lourdes.  Remembering that Masses and services are conducted in six languages here at the Sanctuary, there is a good collection of priests: about 18.  The largest number are French-speaking priests followed by Italians, Spanish, English, German and Dutch.  There is also an auxiliary residence for the priest-confessors who minister in Lourdes for a spell, usually two weeks to a month.

For around a century now, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have been entrusted with the pastoral care of the majority of the Lourdes' Pilgrims.   They were invited to serve at the shrine because of their being dedicated to Mary Immaculate and of course when the "Lady" who appeared to St. Bernadette back in 1858 finally gave her name she said "I am the Immaculate Conception."  There are currently two English-speaking Oblates who minister to the English-speaking pilgrims and at times pilgrims whose mother tongue is not represented at the shrine.  Father Brian is from Ireland and Father Paul is from South Africa.

To assist in the celebration of Mass and hearing confessions priests like myself come from throughout the world.  At present there are about forty to fifty priests here.  Some are retired, others come during their vacation, still others like me while on sabbatical or between assignments.  So the number of priests at the Maison swells particularly from June through September during high season.  Lourdes still receives close to five million pilgrims each year.  The number of priests is most noticed and impressive at the main midday meal.  Here each collection of priests of a language group sit together to share fraternity and discuss any needed facets of ministry within a particular language group.  It can get quite boisterous.  Particularly on Sundays and feasts as the meal is a bit longer and more festive.

Fathers Vincent O' Grady, Angelo Philips, Brian de Burca and Paul Horrocks
in the refectory of the Maison before Sunday Dinner.

Since I have been here.  In addition to spending time with Fathers Brian and Paul, the two Oblates assigned here.  I have worked with an Irish Oblate working in Birmingham, England; an Indian priest who teaches at a seminary in Rome; a retired Holy Ghost Father who will be 81 on my birthday in July (We have been out twice to a very authentic Italian restaurant for supper); a Nigerian priest who is studying philosophy in Belgium and a retired pastor from the diocese of Leeds in Great Britain.  They have been inspiring for me.  And we have also shared our zeal for offering the sacrament of God's forgiveness hour upon hour; day after day.

Statue of St. John Vianney - Patron of Parish Priests

Right outside of the Reconciliation Chapel is an outdoor shrine to Saint John Vianney - patron of parish priests and my own Confirmation patron.  It's very appropriately placed since this holy priest stationed in the south-east French countryside spent tremendous amounts of time hearing confessions.  What I find equally moving is the groups of people gathered there praying specifically for priests.  Only early in the morning does the statue not have a gathering before it.

St. John Vianney's outdoor shrine under a canopy.
The medal stands in the foreground are to lean against while praying.