Beautiful liturgies are the highlight of the Lourdes pilgrimage with the Order of Malta. During the seven-day sojourn, the pilgrims join in offering the sacrifice of the Mass at the Lower Basilica, the Bernadette Chapel, the Basilica of Pius X, the parish church where Bernadette was baptized and the Grotto of Mary's apparition where the miraculous spring is found. During one of the Masses the Anointing of the Sick is also offered.
On another occasion, a ritual washing of the feet was provided to all the pilgrims while confessions were made available.
One evening the pilgrims join other pilgrims from around the world for the rosary procession. The central plaza of the Lourdes Sanctuary sparkled with candlelight as multiple languages reflecting the diverse population of pilgrims implored the Blessed Virgin Mary to "pray for us sinners."
The liturgical rhythm was not limited just to the numerable scheduled times for sacraments and prayers. The whole pilgrimage becomes a Divine Liturgy. We have joined with the movements of heaven and earth during the entire creation's daily procession to give praise and thanks to God. We find a new rhythm; we find our place in creation's endless chorus of praise to the creator and redeemer of all life. Some pilgrims feel the pilgrimage is like a dream, but the daily ritual of the pilgrimage awakens us to a reality greater than ourselves. The pilgrimage may have disrupted each one's regular routine, but the disruption helps us discover that we are part of something greater. We are part of Jesus' story of salvation.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the mother who teaches her children how to live in the world. She opens our eyes and synchronizes our hearts to the harmony and holiness of her Son, Jesus. The Lourdes Pilgrimage awakens us to the liturgical nature of life. As is sung in Daniel’s Canticle, "Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever." (Dan. 3:57) The pilgrimage is a saving disruption because it brings us back into harmony with Jesus, the firstborn of all creation. With him we are called to praise and exult God now and forever.
The challenge then will be to maintain the religious ritual nature of life after returning from Lourdes. In this may the Blessed Virgin Mary continue to be our companion and teacher helping us walk always to the rhythm of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Read more from Bishop Jaime Soto's 2024 pilgrimage to Lourdes: First Dispatch, Second Dispatch