Penitent in Lourdes
For my sins, The Times sent me to Lourdes on Palm Sunday for a travel special on pilgrimmage. Before I succumbed completely to a flu-type bug out there, I shot this video and some photos, below.
* Music on the video @Alan Franks.
Lovely music. Happy Easter.
Posted by: Julie | 22 Mar 2008 23:49:11
a letter from America
Dear All,
Religion can be high or low.
"High" I call the most abstract and most universal experience, "Low" the most theatrical and commercial.
The Firm revels in setting up commercial tourist centers like Lourdes and Santiago de Compostela for the purpose of boosting the local hotel, restaurant, and souvenir business. Oh yes, you need a colorful local person to report a vision to get the campaign going. The pattern is always the same from southern France to the New World.
Does Lourdes only deal with serious diseases or can you just go because of a hangover? Can you pray for other things, like your football rival all developing gout?
Posted by: emanuel appel | 23 Mar 2008 04:45:19
Emanuel, you can take anything to Lourdes from gout to terminal cynicism....
I went a couple of years ago fully intending to hate the place but the sincere hope and faith cut through the commercial crap and left me quite moved.
As for hangovers - you are more likely to pick one up in the local bars than get one cured in the grotto. Never mind though, the pain is worth the gain!
Posted by: andrew holden | 23 Mar 2008 11:18:08
Emanuel appel;
Amen & Amen To Your Astute observation of Lourdes.
Before I saw The Light And Left the RCC; I remember Pope Pious Went There (Photo-Media Attention Op).
He claimed he saw The sun Dancing in The sky (back in the 50's).
He was the only one who claimed he saw this out of thousands who also were there!
You don't think maybe The Holy Papa Visited a few of those Pubs First Do You?
Reminds me of a True story Regarding Sir Winston Churchill.
A Very Proper British Lady approached Sir Winston at an event. She Boldly told The Prime Minister; "Sir you are drunk". Sir Winston Said "Madam that is true..and you are Ugly..But tomorrow I'll be Sober"!! I Love It!!
Posted by: Rick Beekman | 23 Mar 2008 22:04:20
I went to Lourdes in the early 70s on a cold December day. Plastic holy water bottles in the shape of the BVM...tacky stuff.
BUT a place filled with prayer, I fell asleep in the basilica in the afternoon...what a good feeling to be asleep in such a safe place.
Not everyone's cup of tea I am sure...but on the whole I think anything that enables people to pray is a good thing
Posted by: stephen clark | 25 Mar 2008 22:47:18
How come Lourdes didn't cure your flu type bug Ruth?
Strange eh?
Maybe she only cures the ills of Catholics.
I've often wondered why modern day "miracles" only happen in Catholic countries and are only seen by true believing Catholics.
Posted by: Robin Bather | 27 Mar 2008 15:43:59