Day One Concludes at the Grotto

This was a long travel day beginning in SFO, arriving in Paris, connecting up with Msgr. Otellini then traveling on to Lourdes via Pau, France. Upon arriving Lourdes late in the afternoon on Monday, we got cleaned up, picked up a new Malta vestment for me and had dinner. later after dinner, back in my room, I decided to go to the Grotto where Mary appeared to Bernadette. My first day in Lourdes woudl not be complete without that visit. It was just before 11p.m. The large plaza in front of the Basilica in the Santuary was very quiet with only a few solitary souls passing through it. Around the corner though, where the Grotto is, the candles were iluminated, the filling of bottles with the Lourdes water by pilgrims, individual prayer, group rosaries being said and the preparations for Mass were underway. I stayed for Mass and as I sat there the rain began and became a steady downpour. The Grotto chapel is outside and I am in the last row. A tap on my shoulder and a woman asks if she might join me under my umbrella. The Mass was being celebrated in itallian, the woman next to me was praying in spanish, I heard several other languages. Mass concludes with Benediction. It is wet, it is chilly, it is late, it is spiritual, it is moving, it is Lourdes. Goodnight on day 1.