pilgrimages

[Debra_C]

I have some questions about pilgrimages. I have been considering a pilgrimage to Lourdes on behalf of my husband. He has serious chronic illeness related to a pituitary tumor, which multiple treatment options have all failed to destroy. In addition, each treatment has caused him additional disability through neurological damage and/or complicationg infections. He is not able to fly anywhere due to damage to his lungs by one such infection.

Is it ok to make a pilgrimage for someone else who is too sick to make the journey themselves? If so, what do I do when I get there? Do I have them put me in the bath with the sick people? Or do I simply visit the grotto, pray for him, and return with some of the water? Or is it important that I find some way of taking him with me on such a trip? I have never made any kind of pilgrimage before so this is a tradition I have no first hand experience with at all.

Thanks for your help

Debra

 

[Maryam]

Hi… Below is the link to the “Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality - North American Volunteers” website. They can probably answer all of your questions.

lourdesvolunteers.org/

From what I have read on their website and in articles they help with the sick and infirm pilgrims that go to the shrine at Lourdes. I don’t see how it would be a problem for you to go into the baths at Lourdes… You don’t have to be physically infirm to do so… I wouldn’t worry about it. I am sure they can advise you on what to do should you decide to bring your husband with you in the pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Of course a large part of their work is recruiting volunteers to help at the shrine…

I hope you get the answers you are seeking.

My prayers for you and your husband.

God bless

 

[Sunflower38]

My father has been in the hospital sad and hadn’t been able to walk, a super long story so I will get to my point. I have a friend who was at the grotto and brought back about a gallon of water. He gave me some and I sent it to my father, since he has ‘used’ the water he has had a complete turn around. From what my friend told me you can go yourself and bring back some water for your husband and have him drink it or be blessed with it, etc.

Good luck to you and your family

 

[tkdnick]

Is it ok to make a pilgrimage for someone else who is too sick to make the journey themselves? If so, what do I do when I get there? Do I have them put me in the bath with the sick people? Or do I simply visit the grotto, pray for him, and return with some of the water? Or is it important that I find some way of taking him with me on such a trip?

Absolutely go! I went last year and it was amazing!

From what my friend told me you can go yourself and bring back some water for your husband and have him drink it or be blessed with it, etc.

Our Lady asked St. Bernadette to wash her face & hands and drink the water. So if you go, make sure you bring some water back and have your husband wash face & hands and drink some. Blessing him with it would also be good. Also, if you go there it would be a good idea to pick up the special prayer/blessing sheet (it was bright green for us English speakers when I went).

Feel free to ask me any questions if you need more info.