Suffering and Our Lady

When I stepped into the Rosary Basilica, I could not help but see beauty all around me. There were beautiful mosaics of the mysteries of the rosary which came to life once you looked at them. When I was praying in the church, I knelt down to pray in front of the first station of the Joyful mysteries. I looked up and I remembered my past and all of my sufferings and I could not help but realize that our blessed mother was with her son throughout his suffering.Moreover,  our lady even chose to suffer so that Jesus would come into the world and die for us. It was finally clear to me that I was not alone in my suffering and I did not have to worry because my mother and father in heaven love me, and are there with me during my suffering. I started to cry feeling guilty for not seeing this before. Afterwards, I came out of the church feeling loved and blessed.

Our baptism and the healing waters

The holy miraculous water of Lourdes is the one reason why so many people travel to Lourdes. The healing water is something special, not only because it has healing powers but because it reminds us of our baptism.

The sacrament of baptism in the church is an initiation of us becoming the children of God. It also erases our original sin which reminds us of who we are in the risen Christ.

Our Lady said to Saint Bernadette, " Come and wash yourselves in the spring."

Our Lady is saying come and be healed  because I love you and you are my children.

Our Lady has given us this gift to remember our baptism, the day which we became a new person in the risen Christ.

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Mass

In Lourdes, there are gorgeous Gothic churches that are once in a lifetime attraction. What stuck out to me  were two  large chairs behind the altar.

 It reminded me of a throne of the king and queen in their royal court with the altar as the large table which is for big feasts and celebrations.This made me realize that the holy sacrifice of the mass is like a feast with God who is king and our lady, the queen. We his children are all invited to this great feast, man woman, child, rich or poor.

 It all came together, in heaven, our goal, we will someday face the king and queen of heaven. Their love for us is everlasting but this great gift of being invited to a feast will give us the strength to overcome sin and which will keep us closer to them. Now every time I do not want to go to Mass, I will remember this revelation and remember that it is worth it.

My experience synopsis

My Lourdes experience 2013

 Why? Why me Lord? I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. These are the words in which we say in the mass. However these were the words that I spoke in my prayer after I found out that I was going to Lourdes, France. I prayed to our blessed mother, why me? I am just an unworthy sinner, but if this is your will let it be done. These words refreshed me as I began to see that Mary wanted this for me, I have no idea why but I was to say yes like Mary did. I knew that maybe she would cure me of my illness. 

During the visit, we got to go inside the Huge Basilica near the grotto. This basilica is dedicated to the holy mysteries of the Rosary. As you enter you feel overwhelmed with beauty and awe as you go from one mosaic to the other. It is incredible to see all of the beautiful detail and colorful arrangements which are presented in each picture. One day i went in the church to pray and contemplate. I started to look at the first station of the Joyful mysteries which was the annunciation. This mystery stuck out to me because of the fact that Our Lady said yes to suffering but, she had faith and trust in God that he would take care of her. I know our lady revealed this to me while i was there because many times i feel like God is not with me during my suffering, but no he is always there holding me tight like Mary held Jesus tight in her arms after he was born and after he died. Looking at all of the mysteries, Our Lady also revealed to me that she is with me through my suffering, just like she was with Jesus when he was suffering on the cross. This is a reminder to all who are suffering, that Our Lady is with us and we need to trust in her to get us through. Our Lady's Message to Bernadette was I do not promise you happiness in this world, but in the next. This is the message for all of us, but more importantly the people who are suffering. Remember that you are not alone and you have the throne next to God when you reach the end of your life.

On the last night,  we had a small farewell mass with 15 people around an altar near the grotto. This was the first time I actually understood the mass and its mysteries.  The mass will never be the same for me and feeling that love from the people around me, it is clear to me now. When the priest began to start the mass, I was astounded that he memorized all of the prayers and readings in which we say in mass. One thing that stuck out to me was the symbolism of  a feast in which we celebrate with Jesus and our lady and all of the saints in heaven. I also connected that the sense of a family reunion. The people I was with I became close with during the trip and they were there with me celebrating with me the life, death and resurrection of our king, Jesus. At the end I had hope that one day we would reunite and we would be in heaven in which we will be joyful the rest of our lives.