Dear family, friends, and supporters,
Our apologies for not posting an update sooner! Since our return, we have been busy with recovery, getting back to therapy, and preparing to host family. We have also needed some time to pause and reflect on our whirlwind travels. Going to Lourdes was an extraordinary and powerful experience, which stretched us to our limits and was truly unforgettable.
Even at the outset, there was so much grace surrounding this opportunity and which helped us make the journey in the first place. Last winter, when the Knights of Malta "interviewed" us for the trip, we were nowhere near ready to make such a voyage; Thom was far too weak, and we had no experience of traveling in our new circumstances. But, piece by piece, as the trip approached, necessities came into place.
In the days leading up to the trip, numerous of things beyond our control went wrong. The day before departure, Thom's new manual chair wasn't ready, despite the company promising it would be. While we waited, they constructed a temporary chair from spare parts in their warehouse. When the airport shuttle showed up the day of our trip, the wheelchair lift was malfunctioning and would not work. We had to ask people passing by to kick and jump on it to make it work. Once we arrived at the airport, all of the printers at the ticketing counter were malfunctioning. Our group of 400+ pilgrims waited for hours while they worked to get them back online. Once our group boarded the plane, there were mechanical difficulties, and 5 hours later, the flight crew had to cancel our departure altogether. At 1:00 am our group was back in the terminal and needing a place to stay. Amazingly, the Knights managed to find transportation and rooms for all of us in Baltimore. It was a grueling ordeal -- it was after 3:30 am before we got to our hotel -- and yet all the pilgrims remained kind and patient with one another and with everyone they encountered. It was a truly heroic display of virtue.
The next day, our group celebrated a private anointing Mass at the Basilica in Baltimore. It was a beautiful, uplifting experience that made everyone realize the pilgrimage had already started. And even though we hadn't managed to yet leave Baltimore, our adventure had begun. Travel that day went off without a hitch! And after a couple hours of sleep on the airplane, we arrived in Lourdes.
That week in Lourdes was extraordinary; not only by fully participating in the rich and traditional devotions of Lourdes, but by being part of this annual pilgrimage with Knights and Dames of Malta from all around the world. Over 30,000 Knights, Dames, companions, and sick (malades) gathered in Lourdes and participated in pilgrimage with us.
A highlight from the trip was most certainly having the experience of washing in the baths. This opportunity alone was miraculous. Since we arrived a day late, we unfortunately lost the reservations that had been made a year in advance for our large group. But somehow that day, despite the overwhelming crowd huddled in the pouring rain, we both managed to gain entrance. Other highlights include, taking part in the nightly candlelit rosary procession, the Eucharistic procession, and the massive international Mass on Sunday in the underground church. We also visited the one-room cachot where St. Bernadette lived for a time with her family and attended Mass in the church where she was baptized.
Every day a different Knight & Dame were assigned to care for Thom. They pushed his wheelchair and served in every way they could. Truth be told, this was a sacrifice for us because we didn't have much time to ourselves to share and contemplate the experiences of each day -- were were always in motion in seemed. There was also not much time for sleep. The days began very early and there was a full schedule. By God's grace, we managed to arrive at the start time every day because we did not want to miss out on any spiritual opportunities. Thom managed to survive on about half as much sleep as he needs, but that was something to offer up as well. To say we came back to DC exhausted, would definitely be an understatement.
Daily meals were shared in common with our group and these events were a great chance to get to know our fellow malades and their companions, to hear their stories and pray together throughout the day. For us, these individuals were a powerful example of hope and trust, and another reminder of the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of struggle. It was humbling to meet so many faithful members of the Knights of Malta and to be a recipient of their endless generosity. We had our share of difficulties that arose during the trip, inevitable consequences of such an undertaking, but through these moments and more, the Knights did their very best to care for us and see to our needs, always with patience and kindness. We will never forget it.
While we were in Lourdes, we embraced many opportunities to remember all of YOU in prayer -- all of you who have supported us, prayed for us, and prayed with us ever since the accident last summer. We brought a list of these names to Lourdes, and placed them on the altar at the Grotto during a private Mass offered for our group on the Saturday we were there -- almost a 1,000 names in total. We also lit a votive candle for all of your intentions.
Since returning home, Thom has had some of his best days of therapy! Last Wednesday, for the first time, he was able to take a step with his right leg! Natalie was holding the walker and got to see this leap of progress firsthand. Needless to say, his therapists are very excited and so are we! His occupational therapist has also been focusing more on the fingers in his right hand, which are beginning to show faint signs of recovery. As always, all of this progress means more work and more patient effort, but we have so much to be thankful for. Truly.
There is more to share, but for everything that we have yet to discern, and still don't fully appreciate ourselves, we thank you for your patience and continued prayers as we continue to be open to the Lord's Will and Our Lady's intercession.
Here are some of our favorite photos from our trip!:
Names of family, friends, and supporters left at the altar of the Grotto during our private Mass
Eucharistic procession
At the start of the candlelit rosary procession
Candlelit rosary procession, every night in Lourdes
International Sunday Mass in the underground church
