A few years back I organized a virtual pilgrimage for my parish, Saint Margaret of York, presented by the North American Lourdes Volunteers. It was through the Lourdes Volunteers that I first experienced Lourdes, and subsequently volunteered in Lourdes with them. After this virtual pilgrimage took place, a parishioner contacted me sharing that he felt his son had a healing that took place as a result of the graces of the virtual pilgrimage on that November night in 2013.
I had traveled to Lourdes a few times prior to the virtual pilgrimage, had encountered the message of Lourdes, and even learned of the many miracles and inexplicable cures that have taken place there. Yet, did I really believe this still happens today? Does Jesus, through the intercession of His Mother, still heal those who come seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing? I would have liked to have said with unequivocal doubt, "Of course I believe this. I believe that Jesus does still perform miracles- that He does desire to heal us all of anything that ails us." Yet, like Thomas in the Upper a Room after Jesus' resurrection found himself saying, "Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.", I too found, and still find, myself echoing this same prayer. So, when I received an email from the father of the boy claiming his son had received a healing from the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes on the evening of the virtual pilgrimage, I didn't really know what to think.
Fast forward three and a half years, and I found myself this past week discovering Lourdes through the eyes of this same child, subsequently one of my students a few years ago, and his family, as myself and Adam journeyed to Lourdes with them in thanksgiving for the gift of his healing. I listened as he shared that his favorite part of the pilgrimage was going in the baths. I observed him finding fascination in the stories of those who have had miracles that have taken place in Lourdes. I witnessed him bravely agree to share his testimony and story with the medical doctor at the sanctuary, who is entrusted with the job of determining if in fact a miracle did occur through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes from a medical perspective. And, I was reminded that this young boy, my friend Trevor, was placed in my life as my student and spiritual child to teach me a profound lesson- a lesson in faith, a lesson in hope, and a lesson in love. What a witness he and his family continue to share and give glory to Jesus, through Mary's intercession, for his healing, and more importantly for the gift of faith given to their family as a result of his healing!
Our meeting with the doctor in Lourdes! After taking this picture, he asked that we air drop it to him so he could tweet about meeting an American family! And tweet he did!
Each summer, as I pray over the class list of my incoming students, my prayer is always, "Lord, please place the students in my class whom I need to learn something from. And please, use me as a humble instrument in their lives to draw them closer to You." As the upcoming school year approaches, I pray this same prayer fervently. I am in awe of how the Lord continually answers prayers- prayers for healing, prayers for my vocation as teacher and soon-to-be wife, and prayers for many other things. As I rejoice in gratitude for the time in Lourdes spent with my fiancé and my student's family, I pray that Our Lady may continue to intercede for myself, my family and my students to draw us closer to Her Heart and the heart of Her Son!
Our Lady of Lourdes...pray for us
Saint Bernadette...pray for us
Mary conceived without sin...pray for us who have recourse to thee!
