Lourdes

A quick check that the gifts for The Bishop have survived the journey: an Icon of Mother Julian, blessed by The Bishop of Norwich; a card from The Bishop of Norwich and a candle with stand, from the Julian Shrine.  The wording around the candle 'All shall be well'.

Another gift, for The Little House of Bernadette; a reflective story, The Call of Samuel, with accesories.

Giving the gifts to The Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, Monsignor Jacques Perrier, unfortunately J C was a little overawed by the occasion and remained in the background!

Following the big moment, a little investigating is in order.

Following the day's events a night visit to The Grotto.

Then a candlight procession.

The next day J C joined the families and followed the 'blue line' around the Lourdes trail.  First the Boly Mill where Bernadette Soubirous was born on the 7th of January 1844.  She was the eldest daughter of the miller and lived in the 'mill of happiness' for ten years.

Then the parish church.

Around the corne,r the cachot, which had once served as the town jail, was a one roomed home to the family after it had fallen on hard times.  It was from here on February the 11th whilst collecting wood that she had her first Apparition and met with a 'beautiful lady' as she says.