Two different worlds: The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Palace of Versailles

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

TWO of the top tourist destinations in France, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the Palace of Versailles are worlds apart in appearance and in ambience but they have one thing in common. Both are tourist magnets because they arouse curiosity.

The world’s fascination for Chateau de Versailles and its colored history continues to this day, in the same way that devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and faith in her powerful intercession has never waned.

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We had a chance to go to both places during the familiarization trip organized by Korean Air to Paris onboard their brand new Airbus A380.

THE SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

A visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is a most profound experience. The little grotto by the Pyrenees mountains where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl named Bernadette beckons to tourists from all walks of life. Our group led by Korean Air Cebu regional manager Hyung Soo Kim and Cebu Fortune Travel’s Aida Uy took the six-hour train ride from Paris, passing by hamlets and large tracts of farmlands, to the little town of Lourdes. It was my second time in Lourdes and still that feeling of awe came to me all over again.

There’s a holy presence and prayerful aura all over the place. What I found unforgettable on that visit was the sight of a quarter moon at seven o’clock on a Sunday morning slowly fading away into cloudy skies... yes, there was a moon at 7 a.m. when I was hearing mass at the Grotto. The quarter moon was a beautiful backdrop to the eucharistic celebration held at Mama Mary’s apparition site. Everything seemed surreal!

The statue of our Lady of Lourdes invites and inspires devotion. Countless miracles have been wrought through her intercession. The waters of Lourdes are known the world over for its healing powers. It comes from the spring that welled up on Feb. 25, 1858, when the Blessed Virgin Mary instructed Bernadette to scrape the earth. The water from this spring is collected in several big reservoirs from which the water in the Baths and the drinking fountains come from.

At the back of the Grotto is the stately Basilica of the Immaculate Conception which was built in response to the request of our Lady that a chapel be built on the premises. It is on a hilltop and consists of three levels. The uppermost is the main Basilica, underneath is the Crypt and the ground level is the Rosary Basilica which was built to honor the Blessed Virgin who always appeared with a rosary. It has 15 chapels consecrated to the 15 mysteries of the rosary (Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious) and now there are the illustrations of the five mysteries of Light added to its facade.

We were fortunate to get a chance to attend the afternoon procession of the Blessed Sacrament which takes place daily from the Esplanade to the underground Basilica of St. Puis X, the biggest in the world with a capacity of 30,000 devotees. The ceremony was absolutely touching! In the evening there was another procession, the Torchlight Marian Procession from the Meadow to the Esplanade.

We had to have a look-see at the house where Bernadette was born on Jan.7,1844 and lived in for the next 10 years. It was a very modest, no-frills home.

When it was time to go back to Paris, we felt a tinge of regret. There is something in Lourdes that tugs at the heart strings. Lourdes was one unforgettable pilgrimage!

CHATEAU DE VERSAILLES

Less than an hour away by car from Paris, Chateau de Versailles was built by Louis XIV at the height of his power. Considered the grandest and most luxurious among the 17th century French castles, the chateau inevitably became a symbol of royal excesses.

Our very knowledgeable guide regaled us with the details of that chapter in French history which I truly appreciated because on my first visit to Versailles in the late 80’s, I didn’t get the same thorough information.

Chateau de Versailles is famous for its Galerie de Glaces or Hall of Mirrors. The opulent hall counts 17 large arched windows matched by gleaming beveled mirrors in the entire 73 by 10.5 meter stretch. The hall sparkles with magnificent chandeliers hanging from vaulted ceilings adorned with paintings depicting events in the life of Louis XIV. More lights atop gilt-edged stands add to the room’s grandiose feel. Truly an astounding sight!

The palace tour had us all wide-eyed and overwhelmed with the works of art on the walls and ceilings, and the lavishness of the furnishings and decor. Yes, we had a good look at the State Apartments, the King’s Chamber and the Queen’s Apartment, and we also got a glimpse of the beautifully-manicured palace gardens. Everything spelled ostentatious display of wealth.

Lourdes and Versailles are poles apart. The Sanctuary of Lourdes bespeaks of holiness and unworldliness, while Chateau de Versailles flaunts power and wealth.