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| view from the top of the Rosary Basilica towards the Domain © Teresa Newham |
It was wonderful to make the Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes for Our Lady's feast day again! The beautiful sunshine showed off the mosaics on the facade of the Rosary Basilica to their best advantage, and added a glow to the ones inside.
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| mosaics outside and inside the Rosary Basilica © Teresa Newham |
As we made our way from the Basilica towards the domain the trees were stark against the sky and dusted with snow, while flowers were already being left at the railings around Our Lady's statue, as thousands of pilgrims arrived from all over the world.
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| glorious views © Teresa Newham |
Along the steep path to the Upper Stations of the Cross there was a stunning view of the Pyrenees. Mistletoe crowded the branches of the trees above us, while in front and behind we could hear groups praying and singing in a multitude of languages.
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| the Crucifixion - one of the Upper Stations of the Cross © Teresa Newham |
The Stations themselves are large cast iron figures showing Jesus' path to his Crucifixion - the most dramatic sculpture of all, which was lit from behind by the setting sun. We paused before each of the fifteen Stations in turn to make our own prayers.
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| pilgrims © Teresa Newham |
As the feast day drew nearer, more and more coachloads of pilgrims appeared, many with candles of various sizes, others with banners, flags and even a guitar. The largest candles represent the prayers of a parish or a whole diocese.
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| pilgrims' candles at the Chapel of Light © Teresa Newham |
The candles were bound for the Chapel of Light - a collection of booths on the river bank opposite the Grotto. Pilgrims place their candles in one of the hundreds of candle holders with a prayer - for a loved one, a sick relative, a friend in distress.
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| pilgrims lining the river bank at the Grotto © Teresa Newham |
Perhaps because the feast day fell on a weekend, I have never seen such crowds at Lourdes before. As I made my way through them I paused to add my own prayers at the Grotto to those of the thousands of people lining both banks of the river: Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!
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| the River Gave, looking towards the Domain © Teresa Newham |
Brilliant photographs and a very moving commentary.
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