Reporting from World Youth Day...

One of my Vice-Presidents for the Catholic Student Association at my college is over at World Youth Day. Stephanie Prisland is blogging about her experience:

August 13, 2011: Three planes and a bus ride later…


After almost a day and a half of travel, weve finally reached Lourdes, France. We went through New York, Pars, and Pau to get here. Ive never been so exhausted in my life, but I feel just as open to hear Gods message. Its amazing what a spiritual pilgrimage can make you do.
 
It is really different here being as its my first time being out of the country. Who would have thought that my first new country would have been France!? I keep forgetting English isnt the national language. Its amazing the things we take for granted.

Anways, so far Ive taken 205 photos. Once I get going, I just cant stop – the landscape and architecture are so fascinating…even putting aside the religious landmark!

The Grotto is soooo beatutiful in the most simplistic way. Multiple tiers of candles build their way up to honor the statue of the Blessed “Lady.” Bernadette called her just Lady. Mary appearred to her 18 times here – what wonderful miracles. I bet Bernadtte was so humbled to even be able to catch a glimpse of the most beautiful woma ever. How could she not obey what Mary told her to do?

We visited Bernadttes house before they moved from the mill. (Almost got “hit” by a gypsy boy on the way there! It made me so paranoid!) It was cool to compare lifestyles and how simplistic life was back then…or so it owuld seem.

We had a Eucharistic Procession/Adoration from the Grotto to just outside the Prairie. I was brought to tears mainly by the fact that I lost a dear friend, leader, and Savior to my lack of service to Him. How can I fail so many times? Regardless, the procession consisted of what seemed like easily a 100,000 people – just in Lourdes – on a random day! I cant imagine what WYD will be like!! :D

We took our own personal tour to the Upper Basicilia and the Crypt here. Its old Gothic architecture and the icons, satutes and stained glass are all magnificent. The stained glass in the Upper Basicilia depicted the apparitions that Bernadette saw of Mary. And the Crypt contained a monstrance that was somehow connected to PJP II. Ive never seen this in real life before!

So far, I am just in awe to be in another country. I am thank God for the wonderous opportunity to be here and worship and praise Him through the witness of His daughter Bernadette. I pray that Our Lady of Lourdes continues to fill our hearts with fire and continue to protect us on our ultimate destination: Madrid, Spain.

I thank God for the gift of Hiu slove and showing me what it is thorugh my family, friends, and these new brothers and sisters in Christ.

Please open m heart tomorrow as I embark on recieving the healing waters. I pray that I am able to truly believe in their power and that they heal all those deemed worthy.

As always, thank You for the gift of life. Amen.

What we have planned for tomorrow: finis our tour, get the healing waters, Mass, possibly bathe in the Grottos spring…we will see where it goes! Until then!