Lourdes -'I really love it'
A youth leader from the Diocese of Killaloe, Tracy Murray shares her thoughts on helping the sick in Lourdes
When I was asked to write about my experiences in Lourdes I thought that it would be an easy couple of paragraphs, no big deal. That was until now, as I'm sitting here writing, putting my words down on paper, it's a lot harder than I'd first imagined. I've never experienced anything in my whole life such as that of Lourdes. Everything I did and saw made a difference somehow, especially to my life.
To date I've been to Lourdes three times, twice as a youth helper and once as a youth leader. Each year has been different; I've met new people, made friends for life, I've seen things and people I will never forget and I've heard people's stories that will stay in my mind forever. Each person's story is very different, some very sad, portraying life as being so unfair. It can get very emotional at times, as some pilgrims are very sick, but they always keep their chins up no matter what. They make you appreciate how lucky we are to be in good health.
First trip
My first trip to Lourdes as a youth helper was five years ago in June 2006 - the Diocese of Killaloe's Golden Jubilee Pilgrimage. Having just turned 14, the thought of this seemed so exciting, a big adventure in my eyes! At that stage I didn't know much about Lourdes only that people went there because Our Lady appeared to a young girl, Bernadette, so pilgrims went in hope of a cure. I imagined it as a place slightly bigger than Knock, but I was wrong! On entering through St Joseph's gate I was amazed at the crowds of people that were there, people from around the world walking, talking and praying with each other.
As we walked across the bridge to the hospital for the first time I noticed sick pilgrims, young and old, from different countries, some in wheelchairs, some in three wheeled blue carts which were being pulled by helpers and others being pushed around on stretcher beds. One picture that has remained in my mind to this day is of a little four year old boy from Italy. He was lying on one of the beds, tubes around his nose and he had no arms or legs. I'd never seen someone so young and so ill.
Blisters
When we got down to the hospital we were shown that our main job for the next few days would be pulling the blue carts for one of the sick or seriously ill people to take them to the various ceremonies. At first I was dreading the thought of pulling someone bigger than me; I didn't think I'd be able for it. However, after five days, when I returned home, I realised that yes it was tough, yes I did get blisters on my hands, but yes I enjoyed it and yes I'd do it again.
The first two pilgrimages I was on had roughly the same daily routine; Mass every day in different places like St Joseph's Chapel, CÂté Carmel, at the Grotto, at St Bernadette's Altar and in the Basilica. There's also a Eucharistic Procession and a Torchlight procession. My favourite event is the Torchlight Procession. Everyone has a candle and the rosary is said in different languages. As it takes place during the night, there's something really moving and peaceful about it all. The Mass at the Grotto is so beautiful. Even though it's outside and thousands of pilgrims from all over the world are walking and talking just metres away, everything is so peaceful. I always feel there's a magical silence at the Grotto.
Early start
The days of the pilgrimage have an early start. After breakfast all the youth gather for Morning Prayer in our hotel, asking the Lord's Blessing on the day and then helpers and leaders walk down to the hospital with a skip in their step and a smile on their faces, looking forward to the day ahead. Don't get me wrong, it does take a day or two to get used to the early starts but once you get into the swing of things there's no stopping you. Bringing people from the sick section down to the baths is an important part of the pilgrimage.
The strong bond between the helpers and the pilgrims in the sick section each year never ceases to amaze me. Last year, my younger sister Claire and I were both youth helpers. On the first day she got talking to an 89 year old woman and she remained with her for the five days of the pilgrimage, they really enjoyed each other's company and became such good friends. Most young people get on well with the people we help throughout the pilgrimage and at the end, when it's time to say goodbye, there are hugs and tears between the youth and the sick people. The saddest thing is that there are questions in the back of your mind as you say goodbye, such as will you ever see them again? Such a harsh reality.
Youth leader
This year I had the great honour of being a leader in the youth section along with Fr Fergal O'Neill, Maria Kelly, our Deacons Ger Jones and Ger Fitzgerald and Deirdre Convey. I can safely say that this year was a totally different experience - having to share responsibility for 42 young people only a little younger than myself seemed quite strange. I didn't really know what to expect, what I was supposed to do or if I'd be any good, but I made some great friends that I'll keep in touch with. This year was extra special because it was Bishop Willie Walsh's final year leading the Diocese of Killaloe's annual pilgrimage, as he is retiring shortly. Bishop Willie's presence means so much to all of us, both young and not so young.
After being in Lourdes three times I think that one of its main foundations is ''Faith''. It is wonderful to see everyone join together in faith to celebrate Mass, participating in the torchlight procession, singing hymns and praying, especially the sick, who never lose faith and keep returning every year in hope of a cure. One man this year said to me it was his 30th time visiting Lourdes, I was amazed by the faith he had, that one day he will be cured.
Seeing the faith, hope and strength of each sick person has given me and other youth helpers a new outlook on life in which we try not to take our good health or anything for granted. Seeing their optimism has put whatever ''problems'' I might have or have had into perspective.
Words cannot totally describe the experience to be had in Lourdes. No matter what I talk about or tell you about Lourdes, there's nothing I can say that can come close to equalling the experience of going and helping others first hand. Lourdes will always be a memorable experience for me. Many of my friends ask me why I go to Lourdes, get up early every morning, and put myself through the rigours of working such a long day with an inherent lack of sleep. What I say to them is simple, ''I really love it''.
