The Way of the Cross and the Healing Miracle in Lourdes

At two o'clock sharp, we met the “The Prayer Group” faction of Ms. Lady Leader's gang. Looking at them, I started to wonder how they fitted in with the rest of their tour group. They were the exact opposites of the boisterous gambling gang. Their patience must be greater than ours because they had to spend more time with their comrades. At least, all four of us, my solo traveler amigas and myself, had the choice to do our own thing. I guess this time, they were able to "escape."

We started our "Stations of the Cross" journey at the foot of the hill. We were doing "The Upper Way of the Cross,” which winds its way up a steep and forested side of the hill. Its size reflects the magnitude of the Sanctuary of Lourdes - 115 figures in patinated cast iron depicting the fifteen stations on a path 1,500 meters in length.

I truly felt the "Way of the Cross" via the strenuous hike up to reach the last station on top of the hill, and through the intensity of our prayers amidst the soothing bird calls and the rustling of leaves from the cool afternoon breeze.

I must say, I started to admire “The Prayer Group” even more. Most of them were twice my age, but they surely outdid me in endurance and agility. It was time for me to get back in shape; I noted to myself.

I should mention that there is an easier “Stations of the Cross” down on the Prairie, "The Lower Way of the Cross," designed for those with physical challenges and reduced mobility. But if this group of senior-aged pilgrims elected to do the more challenging path, I certainly couldn’t complain.

After heading down the hills on the same path (which was easier this time since we walked downhill), my amiga and I attended the Eucharistic Adoration at the Rosary Basilica followed by the Eucharistic Procession.

We wanted to go to The Baths, but heard that like the Underground Basilica, it was still closed to the public, as the flood waters had not been drained. The Baths are right next to the candle area. Over there, pilgrims can take a dip in a pool filled with water from the Grotto’s spring. Immersing one’s self in these baths, whether a believer or not, could be a profound experience and a source of prayer, renewal, joy, and sometimes physical healing for millions of pilgrims. I hope to go back next time and experience this.

Instead, we walked back to the fountain and filled our containers with water, while also drinking and splashing our faces with the healing waters.

As a Catholic and longtime member of the Marian Circle at my school, I have been devoted to the Blessed Mother from a very young age. Believing in these miracles is not so hard for me, for I have seen other spiritual healings take place in my home country, attributed to both prayers, determination, change of mindset, conversion, and Divine intervention.

In Lourdes, there have been more than 7,000 cases of unexplained cures with 69 of them recognized as miraculous and scientifically inexplicable by the Church at this time. And did you know that claims of cures are properly examined by the Lourdes Medical Bureau, established at the request of Pope Saint Pius X and is completely under medical rather than ecclesiastical supervision? This is to ensure protection from fraudulent miracle claims.

But for me, just looking at the photos of discarded crutches and canes, blackened by decades of candle smoke, and letters left by cured pilgrims that used to hang at one side of the Grotto speak for themselves (they had since been removed for fire safety).

That night, as we joined the Torchlight Marian Procession for the second time, a miracle seemed to have occurred. We heard from the people lined up in front of us that one of the pilgrims on a wheelchair suddenly stood up and declared he could walk again. His wheelchair was put aside, and he joined the procession on foot. Confirmed or not, this was a living testament of faith. I had goose-bumps all over as we completed our Rosary journey.

I will never forget this trip to Lourdes. For most of us on this pilgrimage, this was the highlight.

Before we left the city, I uttered a prayer of thanks and I whispered to my mom, “I made it here, too! But I vow to return.”