Lourdes News The Journal of the Sanctuary - #20 - Free

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1 GB MERCIFUL LIKE THE FATHER Diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes MAY 2016 THIS YEAR IN LOURDES 225 EUCHARISTIC PROCESSIONS INCLUDING ON 29 MAY... Lourdes News The Journal of the Sanctuary - #20 - Free DIARY For times of other Masses in English, please enquire at the Information Centre. Tel. +33 (0) MASS IN ENGLISH at 9.00 am every day in the Chapel of Sts. Cosmas and Damian. ROSARY IN ENGLISH at 2.30 pm at the Grotto every Wednesday (broadcast live on EWTN) EVERY DAY ROSARY 3.30 pm Grotto (in French) 6.00 pm Grotto (in Italian) EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION 5.00 pm from the Procession esplanade on the Prairie to the Basilica of Saint Pius X TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION 9.00 pm From the Grotto to the Rosary esplanade JUBILEE OF MERCY Ask for the pilgrim s Passport (Credencial). Available at the Information Centre. Follow the Jubilee path: pass through the Door of Mercy, go to Confession, go to Mass, and pray for the Pope... Have your Passport stamped at the Information Centre before you leave. Jubilee of Mercy 8 December November 2016 PASSPORT Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Mercy Thursday 5 May THE ASCENSION On the Feast of the Ascension, forty days after Easter Sunday, the day of the Resurrection, and ten days after Pentecost, the Church celebrates the ascension of Christ to his Father: the body of Jesus ascends into heaven. Sunday 15 May PENTECOST Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus. The Holy Spirit filled the Apostles. For Christians it s an incredible discovery of new strength, the strength of the Spirit of God given in overabundance. Sunday 22 May TRINITY On the first Sunday after Pentecost, Christians celebrate the oneness of God and the mystery of God's love. One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is the doctrine which summarises the mystery of God, so near and yet so far, a doctrine which Jesus the Son showed us through His life and teaching. Sunday 29 May CORPUS CHRISTI The Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (2nd Sunday after Pentecost) was instituted in the Middle Ages to celebrate the presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Tuesday 31 May VISITATION The Visitation is the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth shortly after she agreed to give birth to Jesus. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth, herself pregnant with John the Baptist even though she was unable to have a child, recognised Mary as the mother of my Lord. This is when Mary proclaimed her Magnificat. On Sunday 29 May the Catholic Church will solemnly celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in every host consecrated by a priest during Mass. This host is the object of special worship during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, which includes Exposition, Adoration and Blessing. Pilgrims in Lourdes can experience this on a daily basis by participating in the Eucharistic Procession at 5.00 pm (our photo), during which a priest carries a large consecrated host (the Blessed Sacrament). The procession is followed by a period of adoration and finally a blessing with the host, in particular of the sick people present, in the Underground Basilica of St. Pius X. As a pilgrim to Lourdes in 2008 Pope Benedict XVI knelt in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in the Prairie of the Sanctuary. Yes, in Lourdes it is really Jesus who gathers us together. Lourdes, a Jubilee for all! For children On Saturday 4 th June 2016 the Sanctuary of Lourdes invites all children making their First Communion this year to take part in a special day of sharing, prayer, and friendship. We shall ask for Bernadette s guidance whilst we celebrate the anniversary of her own First Communion on 3 rd June Enrolment and information from the Youth and Family service Tel: + 33 (0) sjeunes@lourdes-france.com For priests Lourdes is a meeting place of the universal Church, a place of gathering for priests worldwide. An international conference is organised especially for them, on 4 th and 5 th July two days to reflect on the source of their ministry. Enrolment and information from the Communication Service: Tel: + 33 (0) info.evenement@lourdes-france.com The 58 th International Military Pilgrimage The International Military Pilgrimage (PMI) originated in Lourdes in 1958, the Jubilee year of the 100 th anniversary of the Apparitions. This year s theme is His door is always open, a reference to the passage in the Gospel where Jesus tells the story of an infinitely good father who leaves his door permanently open in the hope that his son, one day, would return. Thousands of participants are expected from some forty countries this year. They will not want to miss the opportunity to enter through another door, the Door of Mercy, erected in front of the Breton Cross inside the domain. Presided over by Mgr Luc Ravel, Bishop of the French Army Diocese, the PMI enables military personnel to experience this amazing event of coming together in prayer for peace in the world. Some highlights of the PMI: Saturday 21 May Festival of military music (in the town), from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm. The Marian torchlight procession (in the Sanctuary) from 9.00 pm to pm. MERCIFUL LIKE THE FATHER Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes / DURAND

2 Daring to confess The pilgrimage to Lourdes is often an opportunity to rediscover the path to the confessional and the forgiveness of God. In Lourdes, the Virgin Mary addresses this request to Bernadette: "Penance, penance, penance" (8 th apparition, 24 th February 1858). This simple word, sometimes misunderstood, can be frightening. Yet penance is not about going on a guilt-trip. It is a free act, imbued with humility and simplicity, aimed at replacing the fundamental basics at the heart of our lives and returning to Christ, the source of all goodness. This is what we experience in the sacrament of penance - Confession - also called the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I revise my catechism: Confession is one of the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church. By Sacrament we understand the means by which the faithful, through the intermediary of a priest, may receive God s Grace which helps each person on his or her path to holiness. During Confession the priest gives absolution for sins, but it is God who forgives them through the priest. The priest is an instrument of the forgiveness that God grants to the person who wishes to repent. What is a sin? It is a refusal of God and His love. The examination of conscience can be the opportunity for a personal awareness of this refusal (see below). The confessional is not a courtroom From a human point of view the admission of one s sins can be a difficult experience, as it requires a lot of humility. It also demands great trust in the priest. The confessional is not a courtroom, as one of the confessors in Lourdes testifies, Coming up from the Chapel of Reconciliation after several hours hearing confessions, I sometimes shed tears and say Thank you Lord. Interior view of the Chapel of Reconciliation in the Sanctuary. Your questions: Why confess your sins to a priest? This is, of course, difficult for everyone. It is a spiritual exercise of humility which encompasses several benefits - to confess one s sins is already penance in itself. The priest gives you advice, clarification, and encouragement, to help you progress in the love of Christ. Some sins are more difficult to confess than others It s true. The more truthful the confession is, the more fruit it bears. Revealing our most wretched side is also a form of courage. Confession is the opportunity to remember that God s mercy is always greater than man s misery. I have not been to confession for a very long time, how can I remember all my sins? It is important to confess all your sins in truth. However no one can remember everything. This is where the priest can intervene and help you recognise your failings. Let yourself be guided: this is also a sign of trust. And pray to the Holy Spirit. What if the priest cannot give me absolution? In this case, the priest can give you a blessing. He can also be a wise counsellor and help you on your way to reconciliation. Preparing for, receiving and welcoming God s forgiveness PREPARING: To prepare ourselves for confession, the Church advises us to examine our conscience. This never implies self-judgment because Christian life is all about our relationship with God and others. It is an exercise in discernment which enables us to call to mind our sins, but above all to open our hearts to true contrition, which is a sincere regret for sins committed. RECEIVING: Confession in itself is fairly simple in its format. It is a dialogue with a priest in private under the seal of secrecy. The penitent acknowledges his sins, receives absolution and the priest concludes by giving him a penance in reparation for his sins, often in the form of a prayer or a good deed. WELCOMING: The priest may give some spiritual advice or suggest a new resolution to help the penitent welcome God s forgiveness and progress in his faith. I went to confession in Lourdes. I will never forget the comforting words of the Priest. Since then, I go from grace to grace. Annie via

3 PRAYER INTENTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS Universal: Respect for Women. That in every country of the world, women may be honoured and respected, and that their essential contribution to society may be highly esteemed. Evangelisation: Holy Rosary. That families, communities, and groups may pray the Holy Rosary for evangelisation and peace. Children, ambassadors of peace Watch the complete video report of their visit on the Sanctuary of Lourdes YouTube channel. From the Chaplains Rediscovering your inner source A few weeks ago, 114 children from Syria were touring France, on the initiative of the Association SOS Chrétiens d'orient. They were giving a series of concerts with their choir known as Cœur-Joie, founded by a priest from Damas, Father Elias Zalahoui. They gave a performance in THEY ARE IN LOURDES MAY May IT UNITALSI/Romana Laziale Emiliano Romagnola DE INNSBRUCK BAYERISCHES PILGERBÜRO 3 May FR SAINT-DENIS FR FRANCISCAINS PL POZNAN 4 May FR MARSEILLE FR ARMENIENS DE FRANCE IE CARMELITE JWT 5 May DE WIEN-MARIANISCHES LOURDESKOMITEE PL MISSION CATHOLIQUE POLONAISE EN FRANCE FR CHORISTES GREGORIENS AL MISSIONI CAT. ALBANESE DE PADERBORN-VIATOR FR FOI ET LUMIERE FR MONTAUBAN HR MISSION CATHOLIQUE CROATE IT UNITALSI SICILIA FR PERPIGNAN DE LIMBURG 6 May IT OPERA ROMANA PELLEGRINAGGI FR AUTUN IT OSPITALITA TRIDENTINA TRENTO UK ACROSS NATIONAL IT ORGANIZZAZIONE POMPEIANA PELLEGRINAGGI 7 May -Padraig Doyle Group Clondalkin 9 May FR POITIERS FR CHAMBERY BE MONTFORT DE PADERBORN-VIATOR CH SUISSE ROMANDE IT UNITALSI LOMBARDA E TRIVENETA 10 May FR VANNES UK TANGNEY TOURS CHALDEAN 11 May DE BOZEN-BRIXEN 12 May IT OPERA ROMANA PELLEGRINAGGI DE PADERBORN-VIATOR IT UNITALSI CAMPANA IE ARMAGH DE ROTTENBURG/STUTTGART ES MADRID 13 May BE MONTFORT DE ORBIS/ST GALL UK ACROSS BRISTOL ES SAN SEBASTIAN DE KÖLN 14 May ES LA CORUNA PT AUMÔNERIE PORTUGAISE 16 May IT UNITALSI SICILIA ORIENTALE E CALABRIA DE FREIBOURG DE KINDERZUG STUTTGART DE ORBIS-ST GALL IT DUOMO VIAGGI IT ECUMENIA PELLEGRINAGGI-CATANIA 17 May FR BESANÇON-BELFORT-MONTBELIARD IE FERNS IE DROMORE FR TOURS 18 May IT DUOMO VIAGGI 19 May DE KÖLN IT ECUMENIA PELLEGRINAGGI-MILITARE IT EUNTES PELLEGRINAGGI DE ORBIS-ST GALL 20 May INT INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PILGRIMAGE UK ACROSS MILITARY the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes. This was a moving evening performance as their singing became a prayer for peace in Syria and the whole world. The children were lodged in the Accueil Marie Saint- Frai. They also became pilgrims and discovered the Grotto of the Apparitions (our photo). THE SCHOOL OF LIFE AND SERVICE For year olds The school of life and service : a name that says it all! This is a school where one learns to live in community. Here one discovers the joy of serving others. During the summer, four sessions of two weeks are offered: sjeunes@lourdes-france.com Find us on facebook.com/ecoledevieetdeservice 22 May BE MECHELEN BRUSSELS NL LIMBOURG-NLZ IE RAPHOE UK WREXHAM IE OSSORY 23 May IT UNITALSI SARDA SUD IT ECUMENIA PELLEGRINAGGI CATANIA BE BOERENBOND ES SEU DE URGELL DE ORBIS-ST GALL BE NATIONAL BELGE 24 May BE ANTWERPEN BE BRUGGE FR CAMBRAI BE NAMUR BE TOURNAI 25 May BE LOB MALADES-ZIEKENZORG 26 May DE MÜNSTER DE BERLIN DE HILDESHEIM IT ECUMENIA PELLEGRINAGGI CATANIA IT UNITALSI TRIVENETA 27 May UK MIDDLESBROUGH ES ALBACETE IE ARDAGH UK SOCIETY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES IE KILMORE UK ACROSS 28 May UK PLYMOUTH USA NORTH AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS ES PAMPLONA UK BIRMINGHAM 29 May UK MARIST PILGRIMAGE BE LOB MALADES ZIEKENZORG 30 May IT UNITALSI LOMBARDA BE BOERENBOND FR LYON IT ECUMENIA PELLEGRINAGGI CATANIA 31 May Father Klaus Holzamer, 63, a priest from the diocese of Mainz in Germany, is the new Chaplain coordinator for German-speaking pilgrims. Before his appointment to Lourdes he exercised his priestly ministry in Zambia for twelve years where he reopened an abandoned mission in the bush with other priests. Back in Germany, he worked in a parish for sixteen years. He then returned to South Africa and Indonesia. During this present jubilee year of Mercy he wants to be close to the pilgrims and bid them all welcome to Lourdes! He wants to fulfill his mission by helping them to understand Lourdes from within and by rediscovering the inner source of the love of God: Just as Bernadette scratched away the soil which prevented the water from flowing, the pilgrim should eliminate that which is superfluous in his life, all that which drowns his faith on a daily basis. In this way he will find the path to inner healing. He also gives the following advice: stop at the Grotto at the end of the day to re-enact the meeting between Bernadette and the Blessed Virgin. He encourages everyone to participate in the Torchlight Procession which is a time of inner prayer during which, like the disciples, we can reignite our faith and become beacons for others.

4 MAY 2016 Diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes LOURDES The Diary of Grace #3 Download on I wanted to have a child I live in the Congo. I was originally a Muslim. I experienced a miracle which I am happy to share with you. After the birth of my son, I could not give birth again. I so much wanted a second child. After several medical examinations, I was told there was nothing to prevent me conceiving again. After another miscarriage in 2005 when I was on holidays in Paris, I spontaneously decided to go to Lourdes. I knew nothing about this town. I took a train ticket for Lourdes and I left with my 9 year old son. I left Paris at night and arrived in Lourdes at about 5.00 am. The town was still asleep at this early hour. I found a hotel near the station, and waited for the town to awaken. I wanted to go to the Grotto. I didn t even know how to get there. In the end I found it. At the Grotto, as I was a Muslim, I did not know how to pray the rosary. However I believed in the Virgin Mary. I sat down and contemplated Mary. I prayed: Lord, you enabled me to make this long journey When she was on holidays in Paris, after another miscarriage, she spontaneously decided to go to Lourdes. and now that I am here, may your will and nothing but your will be done. I stayed at the Grotto practically all morning. Then I went to the Baths and the taps before taking my train back to Paris. On my return to the Congo, some time afterwards, I didn t feel well. I consulted my doctor who told me that I was expecting a baby. I couldn t believe my ears. After nine years! This was wonderful news. I thanked the Lord through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The pregnancy was difficult, but I always felt the protection of Mother Mary. I started to learn how to say the rosary. The doctor had already told me that it would be a girl. She was born on 21 April The following summer, I took her to Lourdes in thanksgiving. Since then, every time I am in France, I do my best to go to Lourdes. This was the start of my conversion. Today, I am baptised and I receive Communion. I am very happy and very grateful to the Virgin Mary for her presence in my home. Thank you Mother Mary. Awa If we had faith we would see the Good God in everything Bernadette Soubirous, Logia, volume II, N 12

5 "Let us not remain sedentary but let us get up" Every day in Lourdes pilgrims go to the Chapel of Reconciliation for Confession. In his homily of 4 March 2016 Pope Francis speaks of Confession as a source of grace which heals the hearts. Here are some extracts: Sin impoverishes and isolates us. It is a blindness of the spirit which prevents us from seeing what is most important, from fixing our gaze on the love that gives us life. This blindness leads us little by little to dwell on what is superficial, until we are indifferent to others and to what is good. How many temptations have the power to cloud the heart s vision and to render it short-sighted! When we only look to ourselves, we become blind, lifeless and self-centred, devoid of joy and freedom. ( ) But Jesus is passing by; he is passing by, and he halts. Our hearts race, because we realise that the Light is gazing upon us, that kindly Light which invites us to come out of our dark blindness. Jesus closeness to us makes us see that, when we are far from him, there is something important missing from our lives. His presence makes us feel in need of salvation, and this begins the healing of our heart. Then, when our DR desire to be healed becomes more courageous, it leads to prayer, to crying out fervently and persistently for help, as did Bartimaeus, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! ( ) Like Bartimaeus, let us cast off our cloak and rise to our feet. Let us not remain sedentary but let us get up and find our spiritual worth again, our dignity as loved sons and daughters who stand before the Lord so that we can be seen by him, forgiven and recreated. ( ) The conclusion of the Gospel story is significant. Bartimaeus immediately received his sight and followed him along the road. When we draw near to Jesus, we too see once more the light which enables us to look to the future with confidence. We find anew the strength and the courage to set out on the way. Pope Francis Priests and bishops go to Confession, and so does the Pope: the proof is in this picture. He no longer believed in anything, he leaves with a light heart Damien. I no longer believed in happiness. At the Baths, I was deeply moved by the kindness of the hospitaliers who helped me. I no longer believed in myself and in the confessional I received the certainty that Someone bigger than me loved me just as I am and believed in me. I no longer believed in anyone, but before leaving Lourdes a stranger spontaneously helped me to find the crypt where I wanted to go and pray. His spontaneity in helping me moved me deeply. In short, I left Lourdes with a light heart. In the space of a few hours in this place, I felt deeply loved.

6 She is no longer afraid Chantal. I came to Lourdes in January for five days. I had not been here for thirty years but deep down I felt a call to return. I am under treatment for severe depression. I went to the Baths but broke down in tears. The assistant in the Baths told me to go to the taps and wash my hands and my face like Bernadette. Then, touching the rock at the Grotto, I asked Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes to lift the burden from my shoulders. I felt liberated, as if a weight had been removed. Since I returned home I have been able to take decisions that frightened me before. I thank Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette. I am anxious to return. You may use my testimony if it can help others. I also prayed for those who asked me and for peace in the world. Amen. Have you received a grace connected with Lourdes? Share your testimony by writing to the Editor: Lourdes, le journal des grâces 1, avenue Mgr Théas Lourdes Cedex - France temoignage@lourdes-france.com Janine s testimony Your reactions facebook/ndlourdes Marie-Thérèse I listened to this very beautiful testimony and I wept with joy for this lady who was brave enough to share her story. I also wept because I also love Lourdes, and the last time I went there, it was to ask for help for my little boy who was undergoing chemotherapy. I still weep because I would very much like to return. Thank you to Our Father and Mother in Heaven for all these graces. Amen. Antoinette Beautiful video and poignant testimony. Aurélie Her testimony touched me. I have tears in my eyes. Dany Janine, your faith in Christ and the Virgin Mary has saved you. May God protect you! Monique A very beautiful testimony. I had two answers during my pilgrimage. I thank the Virgin Mary for my experience. Sébastien Thank you. I also received an interior grace at the Grotto. Aurore True, the water in the Baths is cold but so pleasant at the same time. Simone Thank you for this testimony. As Janine said,"you must come here to understand. I shall return. Fabien She almost makes me want to go there! Thank you for this beautiful testimony. Ah! l Amour... toujours! Listen to their testimonies on our YouTube channel youtube:/lourdeswebtv Testimony from South India Clara. I'm Clara from South India, sharing this testimony on the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes celebrated in our Parish on 13 February My newborn grandson was suffering from severe breathing problems, hernia, retraction of the lungs etc. All this started on 10 January. His hernia operation was done on the morning of Jan 10 th after which he turned blue for some time and stopped breathing. CPR was carried out. I prayed to Mother Mary loudly crying and crying, and then the monitor flashed his heart beat, What a Miracle that was! He was put in the ICU from that time and did not open his eyes for 4 days. I sent so many petitions to the Grotto See Janine s video again of Lourdes to pray for my little grandson. He was in the Hospital ICU for 36 days from Jan 10 th, no family members were allowed to see him except the Mother, he was fully in tubes all over his body, on a ventilator, with oxygen mask, etc. All this came to an end on Feb 14 th when he was discharged. I prayed to Our Lady of Lourdes. Here in India we have a shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, it is in Perambur, Chennai, South India. We had grand celebrations, I prayed with great faith and the miracle happened the very next day, and my little grandson was discharged on 14 th. Thank you Mother Mary for this Miracle, I will praise you throughout my life. Ave Maria. Publication Director: Thierry Castillo Managing Editors: Mathias Terrier and Father André Cabes Contributors to this edition: Martine Korpal, Joël Luzenko, Laurent Jarneau and the Chaplains of Lourdes Graphics and layout: Caroline Tillié, Freddy Mengelle Distribution: Christian Sassus, Jean-Claude Barthe and Jean-Marc Tertacap Translation: Nicole & Barry Griffin With the participation of: Benjamin Foussier, Claudie Lautel, David Torchala Print run: BCR Imprimeur Gimont Lourdes News 1 av. Mgr Théas Lourdes cedex For all correspondance: Service communication Tel. + (33) (0) communication@lourdes-france.com ISSN: Registration of copyright: at publication date