On the Way: A Pilgrim's Journal from Lourdes

Part Five: Fed by God

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” ~ Acts 2:42

Basilica • Eyes Opened • Communion of Saints • Behold Your Mother

"The goal of every pilgrimage is encounter and transformation through, with, and in the Holy Trinity."

As our pilgrimage to Lourdes drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on all that had unfolded over the previous days. There had been countless moments of grace; walking in the footsteps of St. Bernadette, praying at the Grotto, celebrating the Eucharistic Procession, and sharing laughter and conversation over meals with Bishop Daly.

Yet one moment stood above them all.  The International Mass.

On Sunday, July 12, thousands of pilgrims gathered in the underground Basilica of St. Pius X, one of the three basilicas in Lourdes. The immense space can hold nearly 25,000 people—stretching almost the length of two football fields. As pilgrims from around the world filled the basilica, I couldn't help but sense that something extraordinary was about to take place.

The scale of the celebration reminded me that every Mass, whether celebrated in a magnificent basilica or a small rural parish, participates in the same heavenly reality.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is where everything in the Christian life begins and finds its fulfillment.  It is where we most intimately encounter Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

Fed by God

Standing among thousands of Catholics from every corner of the world, speaking many different languages, I realized something beautiful.

Although our languages differed, our deepest longing was the same. “We had all come seeking Christ.”  For a moment, I found myself thinking, "This must be the Super Bowl of the Catholic faith."

Then I immediately realized... It is infinitely greater. We did not gather for entertainment. We gathered to worship. We gathered to offer sacrifice. And then something remarkable happened.  God fed us.  That thought has stayed with me.

Imagine traveling across the world only to discover that the greatest gift awaiting you was not a place......but a Person. The same Jesus who nourished His disciples continues to nourish His Church through His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist.

“Heaven suddenly felt much closer than I had ever imagined.”

Eyes Opened

Throughout the pilgrimage I often found myself thinking about the disciples on the road to Emmaus. After walking with Jesus, they finally recognized Him "in the breaking of the bread."

Their eyes were opened.  In many ways, that became my own experience in Lourdes.

As we listened to the Word of God and approached the altar, I became increasingly aware that the One who had been walking beside us throughout this pilgrimage was now giving Himself completely to us in the Eucharist.

“Like the disciples, my heart burned within me.”

The Communion of Saints

Another powerful reminder surrounded us throughout the basilica.

Large banners depicting the saints lined the walls, reminding us that every Mass unites Heaven and earth.

Near the altar were relics of saints including St. Pius X, St. Hildegard of Bingen, and a blood-stained cloth from St. John Paul II following the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981.

Their witness spoke without words. These were men and women who drew their strength from Christ in the Eucharist.  They loved as He loved.  They forgave as He forgave.

St. John Paul II even visited the man who attempted to take his life and offered him forgiveness.

That kind of love is only possible when we allow Christ to transform us.

Behold Your Mother

Standing in Lourdes also reminded me that at every Mass we are mysteriously drawn to Calvary.

We stand beneath the Cross where Jesus offers Himself completely for our salvation.

There He gives us His Mother. "Behold your Mother." These words are not simply part of history.  They continue to echo into our lives today.

At every Mass, Christ continues to give Himself completely to His people.

Sent Back Home

“One of the greatest gifts of this pilgrimage has been realizing that the same Jesus we encountered in Lourdes is waiting for us at home.”

He is present in every tabernacle.  He feeds us at every Holy Mass.  He calls each of us to holiness.

Many saints have made pilgrimage to Lourdes.  One day, Pope Leo XIV will also come as a pilgrim. Yet every Christian is called to make the greatest pilgrimage of all; the journey toward Heaven.

This pilgrimage has reminded me that the Diocese of Spokane has a unique gift in Our Lady of Lourdes as our patroness.

More importantly, it has reminded me that our mission is the same wherever we are.

To receive Christ.

To be transformed by Him.

And then to bring His healing and His love to a broken world.

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.

Reflections By Seminarian Mitchell Carey

St. Francis de Sales Seminary