Lourdes--The Torchlight Procession

A fitting start to the week took place this evening in Lourdes, the first stop on the eve of our first ride into the Pyrenean mountains. Lourdes is a small foothill town, famous for a water grotto and the free floating apparition of Mary that appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Lourdes is a major place of pilgrimage and alleged miraculous healings derived from a pure source of water which comes out of the grotto. Of course, I had to take a drink and preserve some water for later, and also decided that all water bottles this week must be constituted with Cyto-Grotto. We had the chance to participate in the Torchlight Marian Procession, where thousands of people from around the world walked around the square of Rosary Basilica at sundown. Hundreds of worshippers and pilgrims in hand-drawn wheelchairs and or lying in beds with wheels were rolled around the square. The crowd of thousands recited the rosary and sang the Lourdes Hymn while carrying paper shaded candles. Truly interesting to behold, and you could feel the faith and devotion of the people there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_of_Our_Lady_of_Lourdes#The_Grotto

So tonight, with grotto water dried on my thighs, I dream of tomorrow's first ride in the mountains.