Every place has eccentricities – peculiar in history and style. Lourdes is no exception. I led a pilgrimage to Lourdes as part of the Goan Chaplaincy from June 19-23. I thought of sharing these unique things with you. If you did not know something mentioned below, give a like at the bottom of the blog. I appreciate your comments.
Holy Water at Lourdes is Not Blessed
A day before we arrived at Lourdes, it rained on the mountains. The river flows fast and furious. It’s a sight, sound, and savoury taste – a feeling of freshness like youthful energy running in the pilgrims to walk the high stations, join the blessed sacrament procession, or participate in the candlelight service. The weak and vulnerable discover new energy to complete challenging tasks.
Bernadette discovered the miraculous spring of healing at the direction of Our Lady. The spring water provides health and strength to those with physical afflictions.
And you notice pilgrims carry loads of water in big containers or Lourdes-embedded bottles. The abundance of water meets a testament of simple faith assumption – “the water is blessed.” The faith of the pilgrims makes the water of Lourdes HOLY beyond spec of doubt. It is recommended to get the water blessed by the priest. But for millions – it’s their faith that makes the water holy. However, a pilgrim should not discard hygiene in pursuit of holiness.
Flying Flag on the Castle
When was the last time you heard something weird? For example, when the flag flies towards the Grotto, expect good weather in the next three hours. Bad weather beckons in the next three hours if it flies towards the mountains. If the flag is in any other direction, it calls for uncertainty. The locals trust the flag more than the weather forecast on mobile phones.
I kept looking at the direction of the flag. Rain can disrupt the plans of a tourist. However, I am not a supporter of good or bad weather logic. If you want to do something, let the weather stop for you – you don’t stop because of the weather. It worked for me to trust God and get things done. Some things are not in our control, except the circumstances.
Our group wanted to take a train ride to the top of the mountain. We had to cancel it one day due to a bad weather forecast. But then it was ok. The next day, the estimates showed over 60% rain. We braved it and decided to take a chance. The weather favoured us, but the train had a technical error, and we had to return and take a refund of our tickets. All things happen for a reason. Imagine getting stuck on the mountain with an outbound flight to London in the next twelve hours.
Our Lady Holds Six Decades of Rosary
A pilgrim can miss it sometimes. If you look carefully at the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and count the decades on the rosary Blessed Mother is holding, they are six. The Lady of Lourdes holds a rosary with six decades instead of the traditional five. The variation has given rise to a special devotion at Lourdes. That is how the Lady in White appeared to Bernadette Soubirous – the Rosary with six decades.
What do people pray on the sixth decade of the Rosary? Poor Souls. Our Lady has a special affection for poor souls. People remember their dearly departed family, friends or even those that gave them a difficult time on earth. People pray for poor souls in purgatory. For Catholics, Rosary remains a powerful prayer of intercession to Our Blessed Mother. Pilgrims also pray the Rosary at the Grotto of Massabielle, where Bernadette Soubirous had her visions or in the Basilica of the Rosary in the sanctuary. The sixth decade is prayed with the special intention of the pilgrims who seek healing, strengthen their faith and grow spiritually meditating on the life of Christ. It’s like praying for one extra decade with a special intention.
The legend behind the name “Lourdes”
Chateau Fort de Lourdes, the historic castle, oversees the apparition site at the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. The strategic location has been in use since Roman times, with the oldest remains dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.
The Fort Castle was seized by the forces of a Muslim General, Mirat, or the Moors ruling Spain and Portugal in around 786 AD. But Charlemagne, King of the Franks, sent a battalion to surround the castle to stave the enemy army to death inside the fort. It would be a matter of days; the army inside would run out of food within three weeks and would be forced to surrender.
An eagle carrying an enormous trout (fish) to feed her young ones accidentally dropped it at the feet of Mirat inside the fort. The Muslim General saw it as a good omen. He sent a young page boy with a silver plate carrying fresh fish to the encamped army. The Muslim General extended a peace offering with a deceptive sign of a fresh food supply inside the fort.
A local bishop persuaded Mirat to surrender to the fort. Mirat visited the Black Virgin of Puy to offer gifts and choose the best action. After the surrender, the Christian army treated the Muslim soldiers with kindness. Mirat and other soldiers, impressed with the treatment, decided to embrace Christianity. Mirat took a baptismal name as Lorus (Lours), eventually becoming Lourdes. The place was best known as Chateau Fort before the Marian apparitions in 1858.
Concluding notes
“Good things come to an end,” I hear it often. People say it at the end of a function, event, or meeting. But this is a pilgrimage- it never ends. It is always a beginning of an encounter with the divine. It can be your first pilgrimage, not the last.
About the Author
Feroz Fernandes, a Catholic Missionary, identifies himself as an Uncommon Priest. Father Feroz loves adventure in the apostolate. Check out his debut book The Uncommon Priest: Incredible Stories You Never Read on Amazon. And also, the YouTube Channel: Feroz Fernandes promotes a better understanding of scripture.
Thank you Fr. That was very interesting with knowledge that I was not aware of. might have to try an extra decade next time I lead the rosary at Church.
Thank you Fr. That was very interesting with knowledge that I was not aware of. might have to try an extra decade next time I lead the rosary at Church.