Lourdes

 

I have a bottle on my shelf

Holy water Lourdes

Somebody must have brought it here

Was it me? Myself?

Been here for years

I’m sure of it

Glad it’s by my side

I do not drink or use it

But here it will reside

 

Water of the Gave

From the Pyrenees

Clear and pure and running fresh

Like a mountain breeze

Memories of my visits there

People and their faith

Gathered round a grotto

Kneeling on the earth

 

And Bernadette

Oh Bernadette

A pure and simple girl

Pure and powerful witness

Yes and no one’s fool

Incorrupt her body lies

Incorrupt she was

Told us what she saw that day

World then made a fuss

 

Holy places fascinate

Call us to draw near

Sick and sad and sorrowful

Fickle faith and fear

Lourdes still draws a crowd today

Webcam shows them there

Simple silent prayer and faith

Here you leave your care

 

Reverence each holy place

Each human face and heart

Stand in silent company

Each new day we start

Wash your face in water pure

Light a candle here

Touch the rock that is your faith

Here you find the cure

 

Brian Fahy

11 February 2022

 

+ I went to Lourdes many times as a chaplain with the Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT) between 1974 and 1991. The place and the experience deeply impressed themselves upon me. Impressive too as a human being, Bernadette Soubirous.