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Anglican, Anglo-Catholic, Anglo-Catholicism, Bernadette Soubirous, Bishop Leo Michael, Chateau fort de Lourdes, Christianity, Crooked Lines, elisa Amati, Father Luca de Pero, France, grotto, Holly Michael, Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite, Immaculate conception, Inspiration, inspiring, Jesus Christ, Lourdes, Lourdes France, Our Lady of Lourdes, Spirituality, Tsunami 2004 Still Wading Through Waves of Hope, Virgin Mary
Sad to hear the news of the terrorism in France. My husband and I were just there in November–in Lourdes, a few days stop-over our way to India. The visit was amazing and spiritually refreshing.
Given the sadness of the muslim extremist’s attacks on Paris, thought it would be a good time to share some photos of the beauty and spirituality of France, in Lourdes, about a seven hour drive south of Paris.
A view from the top of Chateau fort de Lourdes and below, looking up at the castle.
More views from the top of the castle
climbing a steep staircase to the top of the castle
Love the narrow, quiet streets. Me and My husband, Anglican Bishop Leo Michael
Our wonderful friends, Elisa Amati and her husband Father Luca de Pero drove all the way from Northern Italy – about 15 hours drive – to join us. We had a blast!
Streets of France. Elisa had a map. We would find our restaurant!
My husband, Bishop Leo Michael, Me, Father Luca de Pero, and his wife, Elisa Amati at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
Our Lady of Lourdes grotto was our planned destination and it was an incredible spiritual experience. More photos:
In 1858 Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant girl said that a “lady” spoke to her in the cave of Massabielle (a mile from the town) while she was gathering firewood with her sister and a friend. Similar apparitions of the alleged “Lady” were reported on seventeen occasions that year, until the climax revelation of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception took place. Bernadette Soubirous was later canonized as a Saint, and many believe her apparitions have been validated by the overwhelming testament of healings claimed to have taken place at the Lourdes water spring.
Bernadette Soubirous
Night at the grotto
An amazing blessing. Look to the left of the statue, considering the crevice a mouth. Do you see the face of Christ? We only saw this on our last night at the grotto. Peace and Holy Spirit filled this beautiful holy place.
During one of the apparitions, Bernadette was told to by Our Lady “go drink at the spring and wash yourself there”. At the time, the spot above place was nothing but a place in the dirt. Then, the spring miraculous bubbled up. Shortly after the first pilgrimages began Louis Bouriette was cured. He had lost his vision and washed in the miraculous water where he regained his vision. Through the years, many have been cured at the miraculous water of Lourdes. The water still runs and pilgrims can collect the water at faucets near the grotto.
The Basilica of Lourdes, built over the top of the grotto
Where Bernadette was baptized
My husband and Father Luca de Pero celebrating Mass
Father Luca de Pero and Elisa
Saints everywhere 🙂
Father Luca de Pero and Bishop Leo Michael walking up the hills toward the stations of the cross
Speaking of the Stations of the Cross, I plan to write and publish a Stations of the Cross book using some of my photos from Lourdes. Really excited about that project. I’m also working toward finishing my sequel to Crooked Lines. (below)
After we left Lourdes, we went to South India to visit the places and people we helped after the 2004 Tsunami. After returning home, I published my then and now book, Tsunami 2004 – Still Wading through Waves of Hope. Some fascinating stories and pictures from the time of the 2004 Tsunami and after. We’d helped more than two hundred orphans after a national fundraising event. It was really great to return ten years later and visit the people and places and write their stories. Tsunami 2004 is now available on Amazon in Kindle and in print.
While in India, on our follow-up trip, we faced a horrific experience when my husband contracted dengue fever from a mosquito bite and nearly died. But, then and now, we held onto those peaceful blessed days at Lourdes and the wonderful fellowship with Father Don Luca and Elisa. ***
For this weekend Crooked Lines, my novel, is on sale for .99 CENTS. Here’s the blurb: On the shores of Lake Michigan, Rebecca Meyer seeks escape. Guilt-ridden over her little sister’s death, she sets her heart on India, a symbol of peace. Across the ocean in South India, Sagai Raj leaves his tranquil hill station home and impoverished family to answer a higher calling. Pushing through diverse cultural and religious milieus, he labors toward his goals, while wrong turns and bad choices block Rebecca from hers.
Traveling similar paths and bridged across oceans through a priest, the two desire peace and their divine destiny. But vows and blind obedience at all costs must be weighed…and buried memories, unearthed.
Great pictures and I loved reading about the history of Lourdes. It is incredibly sad that our world is filled with violence and terrorism. Especially when we are surrounded by beauty and peace.
Yes, Chris, it is very sad that people can’t follow the Gospel of Peace.
Lovely post. I really enjoyed reading this and seeing the beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing, Holly!
Thanks Carole. We had so much to deal with in india and that peaceful retreat reallt prepared us to face those challenges.
It was such a blessing that you had the strengthening at Lourdes with all you faced in India. May God continue to bless you!
Thanks Lynn
Beautiful photos .. Your trip to India was more than you expected with your husband’s illness…but so glad he is okay… I plan on getting your book(s) soon… Diane
I love the pictures! That staircase looks treacherous, being a tall person with big feet, regular staircases are difficult but those steep ones are very difficult.
I’m tall with big feet, too. Lol. It was a loooooooong way up and back down again.
Wonderful photos, Holly! Brought back our trips to Lourdes where I partially set my novel, Offerings. It’s an amazing place. Let me know if you’d like a copy… Best to you and many blessings.
I would love a copy.
Email me the best address… 🙂
hjmichael@sbcglobal.net Christine. Thank you so much!!
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I so enjoyed your pictures of this place I visitd so long ago, 1968. The grotto looks exactly the same, and it sounds as though the Holy Spirit’s presence is still alive there. I remember it being such a spiritual experience. Thanks for resurrecting those sweet memories.
It was amazing, Karen. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy new year and best wishes to you and yours for health, happiness, peace & prosperity in 2015!
Happy New Year. Amazing photos.
Thanks Nike
Vacations to places like this can be very rejuvenating. Even a few hours at the local beach or park can be refreshing too from escape from urban grind even it just for an afternoon.
Very true. We need those breaks.