LOURDES AND ITS SHRINE

New Zealand Tablet, 14 April 1910, Page 571

LOURDES AND ITS SHRINE

: The ScSß^=s?yr«m The world has not touched h.™*®?'* Sough S o no r meZ r ° hanged pastoral people esoeciallv of +L sle !? y ’ out-of-date town. French the C W S s for their famil * es^ °welfar a e re not° to "keep* pace with jraanusrsis a sSsls#a»s HhW?/nd shops are named after favorite and Jto ° f Pfety - " th => h’ea^b^! la pencil people claim Lourdes is the loveliest snot in la belle France Others go still farther , and sayit S the fairest in Europe. i It would seem as if both were light. It nestles down here in the south-west corner of France, close to the highest point attained by the Pyrenees* be°h a d h of m +] 1 Ulltam i .^ ove the grotto a »did view is to b pi! r 086 white-crested guardians of the frontier. Even before Lourdes is reached the country becomes remarkably pleasant, but here it is indescribably sweet and restful. It is a valley town that, not having room on the level section, has straggled here and there up the mnn°+ dmg . Vf S * . T^ ougl i the Pyrenees are majestic, the mountains half encircling Lourdes are not bleak and bare and ragged of outline, c but gently rounded, covered with S 1 atLpSdes “ fied W,th trees ' There « »° thi "S On a high rocky hill overlooking the town is a romantic of Big t orre' Chatoal,, ° ne tlle P ro P ert y of the feudal Counts Two other mountains lie on a line with Chateau hill. On the lower of the two is a Calvary, on the other a single cross. When night shuts from view the spire of the basilica, the people turn their eyes to this mountain-top where, as if suspended in the air, is a flaming sign of salvation, the electric cross of Lourdes. Through the town flows the river Gave, fed by the perpetual snows of the distant mountains. - It is a beautiful river, with several charming cascades. It hurries down past Chateau hill, then winds by the basilica grounds and down past the grotto. 6 The site of the basilica of Notre Dame de Lourdes is a veritable sanctuary of nature. The church stands halfway up the mountain-side above the revered grotto. In front of it lies a broad expanse of green protected by the Gave. These grounds are adorned with trees, walks, and statues. Facing the church is a large statue of the Blessed Virgin with an expression so amiable it would seem the sculptor had caught a glimpse of the ‘ Beautiful Lady of the Rock,’ as little Bernadette first named her. Across the river stretch velvety meadows, Church property, where gaze groups of white cattle, a lazy donkey, and some sleek, brown horses. Excepting for two buildings for the accommodation of invalid pilgrims, the holy shrine has this beautiful spot to itself. The shine is three churches in one. The splendid Gothic basilica crowns the height; below is the crypt from whose entrance extend arms like a peristyle. They taper downward, embracing at the foot of the" rock, which had to be hewn out; the domed, Romanesque-Byzantine Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. ' So admirable and harmonious is the plan of architecture, it is difficult even at a short distance. to perceive they are not one building. The basilica is decorated as is no other church in the world with the votive offerings of pilgrims. And those expressions of faith and gratitude are no tawdry gifts exquisitely wrought banners, gold hearts, tastefully wrought medallions and pictures that are rare copies of old masterpieces. These thousands of votive offerings are so arranged artistically they, are an ornament as well as a mute testimony of the living faith. Wainscoting of basilica and lower church is of colored marble, and upon every inch of space is inscribed in gold lettering the gratitude of favored pilgrims—Our Lady’s Hall of Fame written by Catholics of all nations. The fifteen mysteries of the Rosary are reproduced superbly in mosaics in, the Church of the Rosary. This church especially affects Our Lady’s colors. When the sanctuary boys are grouped behind the handsome white ■; marble railing with its two ambones, it is a sight worth seeing. The boys’ gowns and skull caps are of pale blue cloth, and over their white lace surplices hangs a broad blue ” ribbon. This pretty costume is completed with white gloves, low black shoes with enormous buckles, and white : stockings. The beadle, who looks his importance, wears a dark blue costume with silver braid and cocked hat of the same. Outside the railing may be seen a group of orphan girls whose white cashmere veils are edged with blue. « -* *; . , * ■ Lourdes women wear the Pyrenee black veil, . which serves as wrap and head-dress, and, as their gowns are black. ,

they have the appearance of nuns. This was little Bernadette Soubirous’ costume until she received the habit of a religious at the convent of Nevers. This year, in answer to an oft-repeated petition to Rome to take steps towards the canonisation of Bernadette, a committee was appointed. They visited Nevers, opened the coffin of Sister Marie Bernard, and found her body in a perfect state of preservation. The eyes were wide open, and still held an air of intelligence. At the entrance of thd crypt hangs a sign, ‘Silence.’ Beyond the arched passages of the peristyle nearest the river, again the admonition is repeated. Around a bend is the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the spot beloved of Mary’s children. It is the same sweet picture reproduced everywhere in church, chapels, and convent gardens; a picture upon which the sun of the Universal Church never sets. The grotto is deep and broad and high, and before the apparition afforded shelter to shepherds when storms blew on the mountain tops. It is black with the smoke of the countless candles burning day and night for over fifty years. - . On a high niche stands a white marble statue clothed as was the beautiful lady who said with ineffable sweetness, grace, and humility to her little peasant confidante, ‘ I am the Immaculate Conception.’ Dark green vines cling lovingly around the sacred niche. Rows of crutches hang within the grotto, and outside are hundreds more of these pathetic evidences of Mary’s love and power; below them is the miraculous fountain. In the middle of the grotto is a tiny white altar where Mass is celebrated on special feasts. * Candles burn everywhere, some tall and thick as the trunk of a sturdy young tree. In front of the statue is a great pyramid-like stand, a gleaming bouquet. Against the hillside, in sight of the statue, is a rack for cut flowers, and always it blooms as a garden. * , Along the river bank runs a walk shaded by beech and maples. If you follow some of the paths leading from it you will reach the road to Calvary. These Stations of the Cross are placed with marvellous realism. They are of bronze. In some groups there are six and seven figures. Christ before Pilate is a magnificent piece of sculpture. ' But it is the devotion of the people of Lourdes and of pilgrims which is the shrine’s greatest glory. It is surely a picture of what all Catholic France once was. Never are the churches empty, never is the grotto without its group of watchers. At every daily Mass the Communion rail is filled— and women ; at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, which takes place each afternoon in the crypt, there is a large congregation, and few persons in Lourdes, and no visitors, but go to the grotto to say their beads and good-night to Our Lady even the trainmen on their way to Tarbes make their engines whistle a salutation. Here there is no unsympathetic unbeliever to restrain the shy from showing the childlike faith of Bernadette; only those who honor Mary find their way to her pretty little town in the Pyrenees.