Assumptionists took young people to the 150th National Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, Aug. 11-16. The pilgrimage surrounds the Aug. 15 feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Pilgrims have been going to Lourdes since the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous there in 1858.
Among volunteers helping the sick and handicapped this year were members of the Assumptionists’ North American delegation making the pilgrimage. Two of them, Gabriela Vargas and Christopher Casey, shared reflections about their experiences.
In 1873 Father Francois Picard, the second superior general of the Augustinians of the Assumption (a congregation founded in France in 1845), started the National Pilgrimage in collaboration with St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus, foundress of the Religious of the Assumption, said Assumptionist Brother Blair Nuyda, who went on this year’s pilgrimage. He is director of Youth and Vocation Ministry for the Assumptionists in the United States and a campus minister at Austin Prep in Reading.
“The Assumptionist Youth and Vocation Ministry wanted to reach out to young people, bring them together, and journey with them,” Brother Blair said, explaining one of the reasons for the pilgrimage.
He said the time in Lourdes Aug. 11-16 was the culmination of a pilgrimage that started in Elche, Spain, for the Assumptionist Pre-World Youth Day gathering, and went to Fatima, and to Lisbon for World Youth Day. Some members of the Assumptionists’ North American delegation went on to Paris to learn more about the Assumptionists, then to Lourdes.
One of those pilgrims, Assumptionist Brother Daniele Caglioni, a campus minister at Assumption University in Worcester, said the Lourdes National Pilgrimage is advertised throughout France and includes a prayer vigil for the welfare of the nation.
In addition to bringing the French together to pray for their country, the pilgrimage gives sick people a special opportunity to pray at Lourdes, a popular place of healing.
“A big part of the pilgrimage is, sick people are brought by various organizations,” including organizations from other countries, “to be blessed by the water from the grotto, which has healing properties,” Brother Daniele said.
At Lourdes: ‘in awe of its beauty’ By Gabriela M. Vargas
Assumption University, Class of 2025
After World Youth Day, our group got slightly smaller and marched on to Paris, France, and then Lourdes, for the 150th National Pilgrimage. Most of us were tired and were feeling mixed emotions about waking up so early for our six-hour train trip to Lourdes.
The train was so clean and comfortable that I was astonished, considering I am used to taking the commuter rail back home. Most of us thought this was going to be a time to catch up on sleep; however, the train ride was jam-packed and informative. We had activities ranging from prayer to testimonies to groups of people singing (not always on pitch but full of love for the Virgin Mary), to reflections on World Youth Day.
These activities were accompanied by the beautiful views of the barley, grass, mountains, water, and the homes and land of the French people, which brought calm to a busy train ride. In the moments of calmness, most of us took the time to reflect and think about what we were going to experience at Lourdes.
For me personally, this pilgrimage was very important. I had lost my Abuela (grandmother) the first week of August, and she loved the Virgin of Lourdes. I often wondered if she was looking down at me or if she wanted me at home with my family mourning. Once I arrived at Lourdes I knew I was where I was meant to be, that this pilgrimage was not only for me, but for her.
As we walked the streets most of us were thinking “Gosh, we look like tourists.” Once we reached the sanctuary, most of us were in awe of its beauty, and immediately started reading more about the story of Lourdes.
For the week, most of us would be up early, attending to the sick by pushing them in the wheelchairs wherever they wanted to go, whether that was shopping or to Mass or the grotto or conferences or concerts. Most of us were volunteering 8:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Although at some points it was difficult with the language barrier, we still all got to create relationships and hear the stories of the people we took care of. For me personally, the language didn’t bother me, because you can still show compassion, kindness, patience, and love without words.
Oftentimes while we are taking care of the sick they teach us new ways to love, and they did just that here at Lourdes. Although it was difficult at times because of the language or the fatigue, it was so rewarding and spiritually enriching. It truly showed the importance of service. We can talk and reflect all we want about our faith, but service is the true indicator of faith and of love. I believe that in service and in suffering is where we find God the most.
Pondering the Virgin Mary at Lourdes By Christopher Casey
Amherst College, Class of 2024
LOURDES, FRANCE – Thousands of people were in the sanctuary, and the procession was only filling up the courtyard in front of the basilica more. The first glorious mystery was then announced and the Hail Marys were prayed by a young Indian girl, an old French nun, an Irish teenager, a Vietnamese nun, and an African woman holding her child, all praying in their own languages. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen: so many people, so many different kinds of people, together praying. After the Salve Regina and the walk back, I sat and talked with my friends that night and began to digest the Catholicity of my church, truly the universal church.
I also sat with the Blessed Virgin and pondered who she was, that all these people would come to her. Still unconsciously holding the rosary after the procession, I prayed she would help me receive the gift of faith and the grace of loving her Son more. I also asked her to present to her Son my great thanks for that night and the gathering of all those people and just the fact I got to go and see all of it!
This powerful experience came on the heels of many other firsts for me. Traveling with the Assumptionists’ group from the United States, I first went to Spain, Fatima, World Youth Day in Lisbon, and Paris – all before my five day pilgrimage to Lourdes.
As I look back I realize that, coming, I didn’t know anything, really. I didn’t know the Assumptionists, or what World Youth Day was. I didn’t know anyone else going except my one friend, Veronika Jaster. (The Assumptionist World Youth Day pilgrimage consisted of 160 people from over 24 countries.) And I also don’t know why I said, “Yes.”
But the 22-day journey led me to travel more miles, see more places, meet more friends, and come to a greater faith than I ever could have imagined. So, by the end, I had been with millions of 20-something’s at a papal Mass, I had seen traditional Mexican dance, gotten to know French youth, prayed late at night with Brazilians, eaten Filipino dishes, been at the Spanish beach and the Portuguese capitol. I have heard the Hail Mary in what seems to be every language ever. And I even teared up (an extremely uncommon occurrence for my stoic self!) at the sight of the hundreds of disabled and handicapped being annointed and healed (at least spiritually and emotionally) with us at a Mass in Lourdes. Really more experiences than I could have imagined. With the Assumptionists, I’ve had an experience that has been profound, interesting, diverse, challenging, and plain … beautiful. Memories that will sit well and glow warmly in my heart.