The Candlelight Rosary Procession

The candlelight rosary procession is often the highlight of many on this pilgrimage. Sunday night brought us a light but steady rain and we wound our way through the streets of Lourdes on way to the Sanctuary of our Lady. Inside the Sanctuary, candles in hand, the rosary is prayed in multiple languages. At the end of each decade a verse of Immaculate Mary, again in multiple languages, but with all singing together, Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Our procession ends at the steps of the Rosary Basilca, with the illuminated statue of our Lady carried aloft and placed on the highest step. If an artist were to paint the rising prayers in the plaza that evening, what might they look like as the Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s rose to the heavens, from the thousands of souls below? They would be landscapes and portraits held tightly in hearts of these pilgrims who for this night allow the gentle embrace of Mary to gather into her arms their fears, joys, sorrows and hopes. Ave Maria.