Lourdes 2025: the logbook

From Goma to Lourdes

“We don’t let my people live in peace.” This desperate observation is that of Jean-Bosco, found in Lourdes. He just returned from a stay on his land in the Congo, and more precisely to Goma where he went to visit friends. “A long journey. Five hours by Kinshasa plane to Kigali in Rwanda. And then four hours by road passing the Congolese border to Goma. ”

A perilous adventure when this region has been a land martedly marted by the violence of militias for years. Recently, the M23 paramilitary group invaded the city and took control of it. With its share of terror and violence. “I no longer recognize the city that I knew teeming and full of life. There, there are almost no more cars in the streets. And everyone is afraid of going out and being arrested, taken for an interrogation, even disappearing in dungeons. Or worse still. “

With his assumptionist brothers, Jean-Bosco feels a very small security. “For some time, they seem to respect the religious and religious. Which was not always the case. ” By taking a taxi, you can still go make some visits. Especially at the school of the “learned father of Alzon” which welcomes nearly 400 children from displaced families and refugees in very precarious conditions in this city abandoned by all.

“There is no more money circulating, no more banking system that works. And the new authorities are increasing taxes. Each small street seller must pay $ 2 a day. Ditto for each house which owes a monthly rent to the authorities. ” An unbearable charge for this people impoverished by years of war. Many run away, towards Kinshasa, towards Rwanda or neighboring Burundi.

There are almost no more young men on the streets. Many have been arrested or enlisted by force. “With the indoctrination they suffer, they become violent against their own people.” The M23 may then say that the violence is those of Congolese between them.

Jean Bosco’s smile has given way to the spite. “I also visited my old parents. I just learned that my father is hospitalized and I cannot help him. I only have the virgin of Lourdes to whom I entrust it in my prayer. I only have that left. ”

Compassion

Isabelle and Jean-Luc are happy. They tell me laughing that they have just found a religious who can prepare them to receive in a few days together the sacrament of the sick during the national pilgrimage. They had already asked for it last year, but without it leaving their great despair. Not easy to find the right contact when you are not hosted in the medical services of Notre-Dame receptions on the sanctuary or Saint-Frai in the alleys near the city.

There on each floor, large rooms welcome the elderly or sick people supported by teams of dedicated young people, surrounding volunteer medical teams. Shared meal times, prayer and festive evenings are also offered there. A touching experience for these young people often of good family when it is necessary to learn to take care every day of these heavy, painful, poor bodies.

Five days a year, Lourdes offers them a wonderful school of compassion lived. For Isabelle and Jean-Luc, the pilgrimage of compassion is still different. Their couple was formed late, in a mutual wonder that has been able to overcome fear. Isabelle has a depressed background linked to her handicap. But Jean-Luc, who has her own difficulties, has joined her, reassure her and offer her a shared future. There is no doubt that the sacrament of the sick will be able to illuminate their journey.