Follow our Assumptionist journalist (Day 2)

Prayer

In the early morning in the sanctuary, everything seems lighter. The air is almost fresh, while the heat wave is announced for the rest of the day. Lourdes water comes to fill the gourdes of thirsty pilgrims, already. We also wash our eyes, hands, face. Non -ritual ablutions but that keep us in communion with so many believers around the world.

In the space of the sanctuary, celebrations are broadcast by the external sound. In front of the basilica of the Rosary, we hear the morning prayer, animated by assumptionist religious and lay people. Nicolas, who is also the master of the novices of the assumptionist religious in Europe, challenges us: “This star that we are looking for here, so many others have done it before us. What if we gave thanks for all those who preceded us on this earth to find the star? ”

A little further, near the cave, it is a celebration of an Italian mass that is broadcast. A small group of pilgrims settled on the benches, even where Bernadette was held at the time of the appearances. Time always seems to stop in this case. A rock, a source, of light. And brothers and sisters. Magi kings maybe?

Be in the grain

The large nave of the Saint-Pie-X underground basilica fills with an impressive crowd. On the sides, Talkie-Walkie in hand, Patrick, with others, watches over the grain. Man is part of the pilgrimage crisis cell, which must anticipate difficulties of all kinds. The heat to come, for example. “Yes, we watch out. This is why most of the celebrations of this week will take place in the shade in this concrete basilica. With the exception of the celebration of August 15 perhaps? We will see. “

You will have to think about covering your head well and drinking. Patrick wears the blue vest that identifies the hospital workers to the service. He has been coming to Lourdes for thirteen years, he believes to remember. But he has also participated, for twenty-three years, in the organization of the international military pilgrimage (PMI), earlier in the year. The former lieutenant-colonel can thus continue his commitment. He sighs: “At the PMI, we are used to opening the side doors of the basilica to make an air current. For the National, this is not the case. We will see what to do … “Heat and breath. Things are in good hands.

Bishop

Benoît Gschwind has been a religious assumptionist for forty years. “And this is my 43rd national pilgrimage of the Assumption,” he recalls in his word of welcome from the celebration. For two years, man has also become the bishop of the diocese of Pamiers (Ariège). And as such, this year he presides over the national year.

A new adventure that this episcopal commitment, almost missionary, for this origin of origin, in a large rural territory of the Southwest where the Christian presence, real, must face the challenge of growing distances in the diocesan mesh. “The advantage of being a poor church is that it is not difficult for me to bring together my 25 active priests around the same table to meet and discuss,” confided the man after a few months of service.

In his homily, he evokes these good or these bad stars that guide us or sometimes lead us in our daily life. “Here in Lourdes, no error, it is simply a question of finding Christ. To recognize him and to be reconciled with him. ” Later, it will also be necessary to start from this stay “by another path”, like the Magi Kings who had followed the star to Bethlehem before returning home, amazed, confused.