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As a person with a terminal illness, Motor Neurone Disease. I have been visiting Lourdes on pilgrimage for the past 19 years. I travel with an organization known as: CASA (Caring and Sharing Association.) This organization specializes in organising two pilgrimages each year to Lourdes. Not only CASA members benefit from those Lourdes trips, others through hospice and hospital contacts accompany us. The one-to-one approach ensures participants get the most out of the Lourdes experience.
Each pilgrimage comprises of 130 people including a spiritual, nursing and medical team. CASA partakes in the Lourdes ceremonies, as well as organising its own spiritual programme. In 1981 CASA was founded by a group of volunteers. Its central purpose was the development of friendships, through social events, for all its members. Now, 28 years later in 2009, we celebrate the fact that we still adhere to that same purpose: friendship!
In October 9th of this year: 2009, I was a member of the Casa group, who went on pilgrimage to Lourdes. We gathered at Dublin Airport & Cork Airport, timid, quiet and apprehensive. For some disabled people, this can be a challenging adventure. Their first-time outside the loving care of their family: "Who is going to dress me? Feed me? Push me to the Grotto? Get me into the bath and out again?" Fear, anxiety and disbelief. But on arriving in Lourdes, we become acquainted with our carer and all that fear had gradually subsided.
In the Hotel, we were greeted with some refreshments and shown to our rooms that were fully assessable. Next morning, our carer had us out of bed, washed, showered and dressed and down in the dining hall at 8:30 am... There we were introduced to our team. Five disabled people and their carers who would sit together for all meals and other events, while still participating with the group for all ceremonies.
Outside the Hotel, the entire group assembled for the first parade to the Grotto. The bond seeds for this pilgrimage were sown! 130 people set off to the Grotto, wheelchairs first, accompanied by their carer and the parade was flanked by the walking wounded, their carers and other staff members. Ironically, Casa pilgrims move at the pace of the slowest person, and that person is first to participate in the entire religious events. At the Grotto we waited patiently in prayer and devotion. Soon the steward beckoned us, it was our turn to parade around the sacred Cove. While each person touching the glazed rock in prayer and dedication to our blessed lady. Thousands of people mingled in silence, serenity and tranquillity. "Just unbelievable."
Soon we were parading back to the Hotel for lunch. The bond seeds were germinating at a ferocious rate. Each person has their name tag displayed on the front of their clothing, allowing everybody to become on first name terms with one another. With our participating in all the religious events, this brought us closer together. Our visit to the baths for some of our people, was a bit frightening, but when completed was rewarding! Emerging from the cold water, and wet, but no towel is allowed when participating in this religious event. Outside, we didn't even notice that our clothes were wet. A burning hot sensation now replaced the cold waters of the bath.
It was a great joy and privilege to take part in the candlelit procession. What an awesome sight to behold. Our Casa banner was held high by two of our strong male attendants, as we paraded down the long boulevard. With each outburst from the amplifiers of that beautiful hymn: "Ava Maria" thousands of lit candles was raised skywards. As we entered Rosary Square, tingling sensations of adrenaline igniting in the back of our necks and for a moment, we would forget that we were disabled or sick: "Just let it be"
The healing Mass, very emotional, but beautiful. Our group assembled in a little church close to the holy ground. Our priests administering the sacrament of the sick, anointing each person with holy oils on hands and forehead, assisted by nurses and other staff members, the recipient's name spoken, and the laying of hands by other member in close proximity. Every one of our 130 pilgrims received this sacrament. And everyone was moved emotionally by this beautiful administration! Surrender to God, surrender to our Blessed Lady!
On the fifth day of our pilgrimage we gathered for our final Mass. The bond seeds between each of our members had grown to such an extent that we were reluctant to let go, reluctant to say our goodbyes and reluctant to go home. That my dear friends are the miracle of Lourdes. Love, peace, happiness and unity!!
"In Lourdes, I got the greatest gift given to anybody, that of acceptance. My main wish today is to share myself with other people, now that the gift of acceptance has changed my life forever:
"A candle loses nothing when lighting another candle."
Amen A'thirna: So be it, my God!
Andy McGovern.