Day 7

Wednesday was cold and rainy most of the day. It was good we had purchased a raincoat for George during our time in town yesterday. Since he is in the Grotto, he is out in it all the time. We walk everywhere in Lourdes, so my jacket and Angela's raincoat are being utilized a lot. Angela and I go through our regular routine of walking to work, doing dishes and swiffering. We enjoy again our mid morning snack and a bit of shopping. Not much buying, mostly just looking for the perfect item, which we will no doubt recognize when we see it. I do purchase a 1.5 inch silver statue of Our Lady that will stick to my dash board. I had earlier confessed my recent addiction to Catholic radio, and Angela and I somehow feel this is an appropriate addition to my car's decor. Angela has her eye on a blue woolen cape, which seems to be the current rage. We do finally find one-locally made, water resistant, detachable hood, and the perfect length. It is deliciously warm when she tries it on. The price of 399€ is out of the budget, even though we are assured it will last a lifetime.

At lunch our Irish pilgrims sing "Happy Birthday to two of the helpers in the group. We learn it is Kelly's 21st birthday and her first time in Lourdes to serve. She is very surprised to learn that at my first service I was 46 years old. It isn't unusual for European young people to accompany diocesan pilgrimages as helpers who serve meals, push wheelchairs, clean up, and help carry, organize, etc. so by the time they are 21 they may have already served 5 years or so. When Kelly learns I am from America she says she's always wanted to visit America. "That's funny." I say, " A lot of people in America really want to visit Ireland." She proposes to spend a week at my house then have me spend a week at hers. I wonder if Cincinnati and Fairfield, Ohio would fulfill her dream of an American vacation.😉

Tonight is the special Mass of the Hospitalite' de Lourdes. At this Mass, people who have served 5 years with the Hospitalite' can made a commitment to come to serve every year, as long as they are able. We meet up with George and Luciano at the cafeteria and have dinner. This evening, Luciano's friend Christian is making his commitment, as well as a young man from Australia. We go to Mass wondering if we will see Denis and Linda there. As it turns out, Linda is the English language lector for the night. After this Mass each week, they have a reception in a little club that is for Hospitaliers only. We go to offer congratulations, but leave early. George wants to find a pub where they are watching a soccer match...his team is playing a "must win" match against a team which also "must win". We find one, but with only 20 minutes left in the match the score is 0-0. Unfortunately that is also the final score, and even a Guinness and our banter cannot lift his spirits.  Disappointed we slog through the town and up the hill to our rooms in the rain. Rafael, who is working with George and Luciano in the Grotto had earlier assured us that it will be a sunny day tomorrow. But trudging through the rain, and feeling cold all the way through, it is hard to believe. We shall see.