Back to the Grotto...this time for Mass

Saturday morning of the pilgrimage brings us to the Grotto once again, but today to celebrate mass. As it was on Thursday all three of the Malta associations from the United States come together for this mass. The principal celebrant was again Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York. Archbishop Cordileone gave the homily and I believe it to be his best in my hearing. Maybe it is because he spoke of something I often include in my prayer, observations and even my own homilies. That our God is God of surprises. That in this sacred place in Lourdes we are reminded of that in the fact of poor, not well educated, sickly Bernadette being chosen by God to be a visible instrument of his divine presence on earth…through the appearances to her by Mary the Mother of God. Each of our malades is being surprised daily in their experiences here. Surprised by how their faith can strengthen, surprised by the humility it requires to allow yourself to be served, surprised by the compassion of so many, surprised by their renewed sense of courage, surprised by the hope that springs eternal and in all these surprises we find countless Lourdes miracles. I will continue to look for how God can surprise us when I get home.