Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

 In the quiet hours of a brisk February morning, Sister Mary Claire and young Kathy embarked on a journey of faith and wonder. They were bound for Lourdes, France, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a day marking the first of the Virgin Mary's apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The event held a special place in Sister Mary Claire's heart, and she yearned to share its significance with Kathy.

Their journey began aboard a train, rumbling gently through the European countryside. Kathy, with her dark brown hair neatly tied in ponytails and her curious eyes shielded by brown-rimmed glasses, pressed her face against the cold window, marveling at the passing landscapes. Beside her, Sister Mary Claire, clad in her grey habit, offered silent prayers, her rosary beads slipping softly between her fingers.

As the train neared Lourdes, the atmosphere within the carriage became palpable with anticipation. Pilgrims from all corners of the world, each carrying their hopes and prayers, filled the spaces around them. Kathy, sensing the gravity of the occasion, turned to Sister Mary Claire, her expression a mix of excitement and reverence.

"Sister, why do people come to Lourdes?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sister Mary Claire smiled, her eyes reflecting the kindness that Kathy had grown to love. "They come for healing, Kathy. Not just of the body, but of the heart and soul. Our Lady of Lourdes, she is a beacon of hope, a reminder of Mary's unconditional love for us all."

As they stepped off the train and into the town of Lourdes, the sight of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, with its imposing basilica and the peaceful Grotto of Massabielle, took Kathy's breath away. The air was filled with hymns and prayers, a harmonious blend that seemed to echo directly from heaven.

The Feast Day was a spectacle of faith like Kathy had never seen. Processions, the Eucharistic Adoration, and the Blessing of the Sick were events that unfolded with a solemn beauty. But it was the Candlelight Rosary Procession that truly captivated her heart. As night fell, thousands of flickering lights illuminated the sanctuary, each candle a testament to faith and prayer. Holding her own candle, Kathy felt a profound sense of belonging, her voice joining the chorus of Ave Marias.

Sister Mary Claire watched Kathy, seeing in her a budding faith that promised to grow stronger with each passing day. This trip, she realized, was more than a pilgrimage; it was a passage, a sharing of spiritual heritage.

On their return journey, the train car seemed to carry a different air, one of peace and renewed purpose. Kathy, her head resting against Sister Mary Claire's shoulder, whispered, "Thank you, Sister, for bringing me to Lourdes."

Sister Mary Claire hugged Kathy closer, whispering back, "Thank you, Kathy, for reminding me of the joy of faith."

And as the train continued its journey, weaving through the countryside under the starlit sky, Sister Mary Claire and Kathy knew that their hearts had been touched by the grace of Our Lady of Lourdes, a grace that would guide them through all the days of their lives.