Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Our Lady of Lourdes

It was never on my itinerary to visit Lourdes on this last trip to Europe. Truth be told, I wasn't even sure where on the map the famous shrine was. So what a surprise when to my delight, while on the road to Bordeaux, I spotted Lourdes while studying the map of France! And lo and behold, only two hours away from the town where we where staying!

Life is full of surprises! When I told my friend Maureen of my plans to visit France again this year, she said, "Oh wonderful, maybe you can visit Lourdes!" I was honest with my friend and told her I would never be able to visit Lourdes, because 1) I really had no idea where it was; 2) I didn't think we'd have time; and 3) I didn't think my traveling companions (two young girls) would be up for it. I had already 'pushed' The Way of Saint James on them, and I was positive they would not want to visit another religious shrine.

Call me ignorant, or maybe it was a lack of interest on my part - but I really had no idea where Lourdes was. My thinking was that it was somewhere in the north of France. My very Catholic friend Maureen, always talked about Lourdes and about the miracles performed at the shrine, especially the cures. I've never been one to believe - I am of the kind that has to see with my own eyes in order to believe. On the other hand, I've never doubted either. Maybe it has something to do with the fact I was brought up in the Protestant church where there is very little devotion to Mary. So you can understand my somewhat reluctance to 'dive' into the powers of Lourdes. But call it what you may, be it coincidental, God-incidental, or what have you, the truth is I found Lourdes when I was least looking for her! Or was it the other way around?

For those of you who don't know Our Lady of Lourdes, it is the most famous of Catholic shrines worldwide. Unlike Santiago de Compostela's Way of Saint James, where pilgrims of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions visit in search of inner and spiritual peace, Our Lady of Lourdes is probably Catholics' number one venerated site to visit. It's right up there with the Vatican, and with our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. Here Mass is celebrated every day. As for my traveling companions, when I burst out with excitement at finding the site, they were both elated for me and more than happy to visit. How is that for things working out according to God's plan?

Nestled in a valley in the southwestern part of the Hautes-Pyrenees, Our Lady of Lourdes is the scene of pilgrims gathering from all over the world. On February 11, 1858, the Virgin revealed herself to a poor shepherd girl, Bernadette Soubirous who was born on January 7, 1844. Eighteen such apparitions were reported. Bernadette, died in a convent in 1879. She was beatified in 1925, then canonized in 1933.  Her apparitions literally put Lourdes on the map. The town has subsequently attracted millions of visitors, the illustrious and the povery-stricken. The Church has recognized many "cures" that have been witnessed here.

As with most towns in France, Lourdes is a beautiful town to sightsee. Here you will find the house and convent where Bernadette lived, or at least the place where the house used to be.

Scroll down for some pictures and enjoy!