Bonjour ! Finally an update!

Dear Friends and family of Pilgrims,

Alas, we have a few minutes to post some updates! Our apologies to those who have been tuning in, as there was absolutlutely no internet connections in Lourdes so this is the first opportunity.

Let us start by saying; GOD IS GOOD! Today we are in Ars, the home of St. John Vianey, the Cure of Ars.

Everyone is doing amazingly well and the Holy Spirit is traveling with us!

Our day of travel on Sunday went as smoothly as possible. All of our flights were on time and we arrived in Lourdes by lunch time on Monday. All of the weather forecast for Lourdes said rain all week, however, we were met with much sunshine with only an occasional raindrop. Fr. Bob showed us around the sanctuary and grounds. Many decided to do the baths on the first day, which can only be described as powerful! Larry Boulet had such an incredible aura about him after he went in that was so wonderful to see! We celebrated Mass in the St. Joan D Arc Chapel in the Basilica along with a group of Korean Americans that we invited to join us. It was perfect. We all went to bed early that night as we had been up nearly 30 hours.

Tuesday we had Mass at 6:00 AM in the Grotto, the place where the Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette. To celebrate the Mass in that holy place can only be described as awesome! There was a bit of rain, but none noticed. After breakfast, we toured the town by foot to see the places significant to St. Bernadettes life. The Cachot, the church were she prayed, the hospice, plus other spots. After a nice lunch, many did the Stations of the Cross and more did the baths. The evening ended with a beautiful candelight procession with over 10,000 other pilgrims praying for the intercession of the Blessed Mother. Simply amazing.

On Wednesday we celebrated Mass in St. Gabriels Chapel and departed for Toulouse. In Toulouse, we made a brief stop at the Basilica of St. Serin prior to going to the airport. We arrived in Ars about 9 pm last evening.

Today in Ars was again, powerful. We started with Mass in the Basilica in front of St. John Vianey. Fr. Bob ended the Mass by asking Matt, a hopeful seminarian to stand in front of the Cure D Ars so we could pray over him and for him through the intercession of the beloved saint. There were no dry eyes. Tonight we have the opportunity for confession in Ars, which is what St. Vianey was known for. I will try to post a few pictures but if I am not able, I will do so at first opportunity. I wanted to mostly say that every one here is doing perfect and we have kept you all in our prayers and we ask for yours as well.

Au Revoir for now!

Fr. Bob Vaillancourt's Pilgrimage to France

Bounjour!

Welcome to our Journey Of Faith Blog for Fr. Bob Vaillancourts Pilgrimage to France.

Please stay tuned for more details as we update this in the days and weeks to come.

A few Resources to veiw in preparation:
Website for Lourdes: http://www.lourdes-france.org/index.php?goto_centre=ru&contexte=en&id=405&id_rubrique=405


OUR HOTELS:
Lourdes: April 27 & 28 = Tara Hotel
website link: http://www.lourdes-tara.com/eng/hotel_tara_lourdes.htm
Phone : 011 33 56 62 94 22 33
e-mail tara.hotel@wanadoo.fr

Ars : April 29 & 30 = Providence- Maison D'Accueil
website link: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/la-providence/english.htm
Phone : 011 33 04 74 00 71 65
e-mail accueil@ars-providence.com

Paray-le-Monial: May 1 & 2 = Hotel 3 Pigeons
website link: http://www.h-3-p.com/index-gb.htm
Phone: 011 33 0 38581 0377
e-mail hotel3pigeons@wanadoo.fr

Paris: May 3, 4, & 5 = Mercure Terminus Nord
website link: http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-2761-mercure-paris-terminus-nord/index.shtml
Phone: 011 33 1 4280 2000
e-mail h2761@accor.com