a trip back to my favorite place on earth
Two weeks ago, I returned to what I’m finding is becoming a home away from home and probably my favorite place in the universe, which is Lourdes, France. Unlike recent trips there, however, this time I went with North American Lourdes Volunteers, the “first Lourdes Hospitality of the Americas”, that this time brought a group made up of over 200 hundred Americans seeking to spend time in this sacred space together for one week. A portion of this group included individuals signed up strictly as pilgrims experiencing significant physical and mental health challenges. The rest included doctors, nurses, sisters, clergy, and a zillion other ridiculously sacrificial volunteers who- from the moment we arrived at the airport to the moment we got home– committed to making sure these pilgrims had the most restorative, healing week possible.
As the first time social worker – volunteer this group has ever had on the trip, I eventually embraced my main role as simply practicing receptivity. Receptive to others’ stories and any social worky needs, but also, most humbling, in unexpected ways I found myself being cared for personally throughout the week.
This lesson came quickly, when on the first night of the trip, with a brain full of Benadryl in a failed attempt to not to have a killer migraine when I arrived, I found myself definitely delirious, and incredibly hungry when we sat down for dinner. While in this state and also getting there late, I immediately ate the food provided on the table in front of me when I sat down. After finishing, I met the cooking crew that I learned had been looking for me with a much less triggering meal than the quiche I had just eaten, totally mad at me for not seeking them out. I assured them I wouldn’t die, I’d just likely have more of a migraine. This caused them and a few others in the group to strongly reply with how much that was not okay.
They weren’t wrong. And for the rest of the week, I definitely didn’t feel alone in making sure I ate well–an area I rarely invest as much energy as I typically need–& I was struck by how much of a difference this made for me.
As the week went on, I witnessed only more examples of a certain sensitivity to the other that this group seemed to carry. The doctors and nurses that sacrificed their own sleep while covering night shifts and ensuring all received care and medications as was needed (while using their PTO, btw)… who also ended up taking a crew that got the stomach bug to the hospital for fluids and stayed there the entire time. Those that stayed up until 11 and woke up at 6am ensuring all meals were prepared and cleaned up after. Those who joyfully woke up to send our Midwest crew off at 3am the day we left.
But most significant to me (of course), was the intentional space created to receive stories of addiction, deep loss, cancer, disabling autoimmune conditions, loneliness, betrayal, and more- that everyone, whether volunteering or strictly on pilgrimage- brought with them in some way to this trip…that I felt honored to either receive individually or witness being welcomed and freely shared among the rest of the group.
Alongside so many opportunities to pray in a stunning space the mothering spirit of Our Lady also feels so present…it’s hard not to walk away from a week like this without an experience of God’s goodness. A goodness that seems to be especially present in the midst acknowledging all our quirks and brokenness, and need for God together. This is the type of community I’ve found Lourdes to foster, more tangible than ever to me this time around, and it’s my favorite kind.
I think I’ll be back. 🙂