Day 2 – Bishop Dennis Sullivan and Father Michael Romano join pilgrims to Lourdes, France

This week, Father Michael Romano will be sending back reports of his pilgrimage with Bishop Dennis Sullivan and the Knights and Dames of Malta to Lourdes, France. This is the second in his series of reports. 

The Shrine at Lourdes is specifically designed to give malades primary access to all areas of the shrine.

The waters at Lourdes are a primary reason that many make pilgrimage here. While some may return from Lourdes with a physical healing, most leave with other types of healings: spiritual, mental, of the memory, etc.

Our time today in Lourdes centered around healing.
The day began with a morning of recollection praying the Rosary, time in adoration and listening to inspiring homilies. Throughout the morning 10 priests and bishops were available for the pilgrims to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation–a great sacrament of healing. Each of those priests and bishops remained in place for over two hours so many availed themselves of this sacrament!
The malades and their caregivers process to the Shrine at Lourdes.

The early afternoon was dedicated for the malades (ill) to bathe in the waters at Lourdes. With their caregivers and assistants, they were taken to the Shrine’s baths, where they could bring their intentions and pray for whatever particular intention of healing they brought with them.
In the later afternoon, Bishop Sullivan celebrated Mass for our group of over 400 pilgrims, which included the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. This beautiful experience allowed each recipient of the Sacrament to experience the healing touch of God’s mercy, the forgiveness of their sins and the prayers for whatever sort of healing they needed. In his homily, Bishop Sullivan reminded us all that through baptism, we are all united, we are all brothers and sisters, and that therefore the malades are never alone in their illness and suffering, because each of us is with them.
Father Phillip Johnson and his pilgrims from Saint Thomas More Parish in Cherry Hill, NJ are also visiting Lourdes.

The day concluded with an incredible candle light procession and praying of the Rosary with thousands of other pilgrims throughout the world. We processed and prayed for our own intentions, the healing of the malades and all of the other intentions we brought with us to Lourdes.
While the word Catholic means universal, sometimes the Catholic world can seem so small. After finishing Mass, Bishop Sullivan spotted Janet Johnson, the wife of Father Phillip Johnson, of our own Saint Thomas More Parish in Cherry Hill. She led us to him and his group of pilgrims who happened to be visiting Lourdes!
One thing struck me today — the Shrine at Lourdes ensures it is primarily for the sick. Not only does it do so in word, but in every chapel we visit along the way, the front part of the church between the altar and the pews is open space for the sick in their chairs. It is such a beautiful expression of the Church’s care for the sick and suffering.
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