After lunch today, Fr Briggs and I paid a visit to the parish Church to say the prescribed prayers at the font where St Bernadette was baptised. Next to the Church is a statue of my hero, Mgr Peyramale so I took the opportunity of getting a photo of Fr Briggs standing next to the great man.Near to the Domaine, there are wheelchair lanes painted in the roads. These have been extended this year and there is a new one painted just outside our hotel.
The wheelchair lanes are used by conventional wheelchairs but also by the odd bath chairs that are a feature of Lourdes. Here you can see something of Lourdes outside the Domaine with its shops and restaurants catering for the 6-8 million people who visit each year between April and October:
This afternoon, we did the Stations of the Cross. I went with the children and the confidently mobile up the Espelugues Hill while Fr Briggs led the stations in the new Way of the Cross in the prairie opposite the grotto.On the way down from the high Stations, there is a celtic cross erected by Irish pilgrims. It seemed like a good place to have a photograph:
7 comments:
Nice pics - the kids really look like they're enjoying themselves!
Fr. Charles Briggs seems to be standing perilously close to the statue of the awesome figure of the Dean of Lourdes. I think initially I might have found the irascible dean somewhat alarming !
I suppose many people associate the name Peyramale with the screen portrayal by Charles Bickford in "The Song of Bernadette". While Bickford himself bore little physical resemblance to the great man, he turned in a powerful performance.
I found it interesting to read that Charles Bickford, already a famous name and a leading character in the film, was initially sceptical of the almost unknown young actress, Jennifer Jones, being cast in the central role of Bernadette Soubirous.
In the event, he was very impressed with her understated performance, and became a close personal friend.
Many thanks to Father for these photos. The weather in Lourdes is looking brighter. A safe journey home.
Is that the priest who celebrates mass at Maiden Lane? I'm sure I saw him at the ascension mass although he didn't preach.
Father,
I stumbled upon your blog accidentally (or providentially) today. I am a yearly volunteer in Lourdes from Texas, USA. It is great to know that there are solid Catholic priests still in Ireland. What a wonderful blog you have. Your parish is very blessed. I love to read Father Z too.
Blessings from Texas,
Lori
Many thanks, Lori - actually, despite my name, I am from England. But I like to see things from "the old country."
John Paul - that is Fr Briggs - he is a veteran of the Maiden Lane Masses.
Dr Peter - the portrayal of Mgr Peyramale is more balanced in the newer film. Although he is strict with St Bernadette to begin with, his protection of her from the pseudo-psychologists is wonderful.
The newer film ? That would be Jean Delannoy's 1988 film, I think.
Believe it or not, I've never seen it ! I must get a copy. Thank you, Father, for recommending it. I would very much like to see another interpretation of Mons. Peyramale.
It is a fact that the famous 1943 fim takes some liberties with the some of the facts and with the timing of various events, but then I suppose that is a hazard of all dramatisations !
I hope you are all safely back in England after your pilgrimage.
Yes, that's the one. There are two films: the first goes up to the point where St Bernadette enters the convent, the second takes up the story from there. Both well worth having.
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