One day before our Saturday Mass started our Parish Priest asked me “if we plan a trip to Lourdes are you willing to go” At that time I startled by what our parish priest asked me and so I brushed aside his question. That was a year ago, but I never take this trip to Lourdes seriously instead but my mum (who accompany me) was more excited than me.Three weeks before our trip, there was a flu virus A H1N1 which attacked the whole world. Some of the pilgrims wanted to back out from the trip, but most of us having strong faith and didn’t back out. For me, if I would given the chance to travel, why not go for it. It’s an oppotunitely of the life time. If I would get the attack of A H1N1 virus then it’s God’s will. But in my heart, I wasn’t afraid of the virus. What I was afraid was the long distant journey, whether I could stand the long journey. Once I prayed, if it’s “Lord if it’s your will to allow me to go, please give me strength to go for trip”. That is the one prayer I said since our church started organizing this trip.
Actually I wasn’t that excited on going to Lourdes because I’m not a prayful person. But I know the Lord is very near to me as when I called on Him, I could feel His presence. I know Lourdes is a place healing takes place and I also want to be heal from my sickness.
I can’t believe of the hustle and planning, the real day has arrived. All 27 of us gathered at the Penang International Airport with excitement. Roslyn and Fredrick McGuire, our group leader. They were busy distributing the bag tags and mask for our face incase of A H1N1 virus, etc... I can see everyone was so busying tagging their bags. When everyone settled down with the baggage, it was time to check in our luggage and our boarding pass was given to us.
Our flight to Bangkok was at 10.45pm. It took more than an hour to reach Bangkok Airport terminal and it takes time for me to get down the plane. As Thai airplane only reached in the middle of the track and everyone has to climb down by stairs. Since there is no lift, I was taken down by a fork lift and a small van drove me and another disabled friends and her parents to the terminal, I have to go for nature’s call so the airport potter pushed me quite fast as we have less than an hour to board the plane to Paris.
We board a very a big and comfortable plane to Paris and we were served with 2 times serving. In between we were served with drinks, juices and wine. I was so trilled when I got the chance to drink red wine and other drinks all the way to Lourdes and also our trip back to Penang. It was a chance of a life time.
Throughout my journey in the airplane, I was served with good meals. When I had to go for my nature call in the plane, I was happy and thank God there were friends in our group who were willing to walk me to the toilet. I was seated 2 rows back from the toilet.
While the most dreadful place people want to enter was the custom checking point, it was the most interesting place for me in the airport. I find myself like a criminal having to search my whole body. At one checking point in Paris, the custom people have to stand me up to check from the top of my body until my leg. I find it quite fun.
Our journey took longer than I thought like it was never ending. after more than 12 hours journey we arrive at the Accueil Notre Dame (Hospital Hostel). There were 9 of us altogether, 3 disabled and our family members and 2 doctors who are brothers stayed at the Accueil. The rest of the group was taken to a nearby Hotel.
Before our trip, I was told that we were going to be spending our days in a hospital. My mind ran wild, I was thinking we were all going to stay in a hospital ward like our General Hospital. But to my great surprise, the hospital there was like our 1st class in a 5 Star hotel. I can say that it was much nicer than any hotel room I eve stay in Penang. I could feel the peace when I enter my 2 beded room. It was also very comfortable and clean. The toilet and bathroom were separated and it was all equip with disabled facilities.
The restaurant was very nearby our rooms and it was quite big and clean. We were served with French food in the restaurant. The main dish was bread like our Malaysian garlic bread. Two days after our arrival, there were a big European group consists of people old, young and disabled. The restaurant was full of noise because it was crowded with people.
It was raining the first 2 days and when I go out during the daytime and it was very cold outside. So I wore my jacket and was covered me 2 thick blankets (borrow from the hospital) a scarf on my head and a rain-coat. I find myself so funny.
Before I went I thought it would be a boring trip, never did I realize it was a great experience as everyday we went to different places. I went for the “BATH” twice because on the first day I faced language with the ladies incharged and I got into spasm. Later they didn’t take me in, instead the ladies just sprinkle water on my head and let me drink the holy water.
When I came out, I felt something happen to me. Suddenly tears kept flowing down from my check and I didn’t know why. I let myself continue crying without bothering people stare at me. At that time I was infront of the GROTTO and I pour my heart out to Jesus and Our Lady. I felt like Jesus was healing me emotionally as I have many hurts in me throughout my pass life. In my entire life I seldom cry.
The second day I went for the BATH again and this time I really went in. I was put me onto a stretcher and they pushed me into a room where there were many ladies inside. It was a different experience where 8 ladies carried me together with the stretcher into the water. I was concentrating on praying that I went in and came out without realizing it. I was really touched that these ladies were willing to carry people like me into the BATH. There were still many disabled and old people were all waiting for their turn to get in the BATH.
Another amazing thing was thousands of disabled, old and sick people came to Loudres for healing. When they were on the road, they would sit on a push cart (like our Malaysian beca) and many able body volunteers’ pulling the push cart from the hospital to a huge underground church and it took around 30mins walk and also to the night candle light and rosary procession. The Annoiting for the Sick is held everyday at the huge underground church at 5pm for ½ hour to 45mins, while the candle light and rosary procession held every night 9pm.
I went for the Anointing of the Sick for 2 days and I find it so amazing because the underground church is so huge that can take in 22,000 thousands people. Everyday all these disabled, old and sick people were taken there for healing. Only that sad that I didn’t get the chance to witness the candle light and rosary procession as my body was too tired of sitting the whole day. My mum went once for the night procession and she said it was so amazing the ground was full of people in front of the Rosary Basilica.
Altogether we had 4 Masses, we also make the Way of the Cross and visited Benadnette’s Muzeum. It was very interesting to know how Benadnette’s life. An Italian lady tour guide took to her muzium and down town to where the place she live when she was young. On the last day before we left, all of us got the chance to go to the nearby town to buy some souvenir home.
Our flight to Bangkok was at 10.45pm. It took more than an hour to reach Bangkok Airport terminal and it takes time for me to get down the plane. As Thai airplane only reached in the middle of the track and everyone has to climb down by stairs. Since there is no lift, I was taken down by a fork lift and a small van drove me and another disabled friends and her parents to the terminal, I have to go for nature’s call so the airport potter pushed me quite fast as we have less than an hour to board the plane to Paris.
We board a very a big and comfortable plane to Paris and we were served with 2 times serving. In between we were served with drinks, juices and wine. I was so trilled when I got the chance to drink red wine and other drinks all the way to Lourdes and also our trip back to Penang. It was a chance of a life time.
Throughout my journey in the airplane, I was served with good meals. When I had to go for my nature call in the plane, I was happy and thank God there were friends in our group who were willing to walk me to the toilet. I was seated 2 rows back from the toilet.
While the most dreadful place people want to enter was the custom checking point, it was the most interesting place for me in the airport. I find myself like a criminal having to search my whole body. At one checking point in Paris, the custom people have to stand me up to check from the top of my body until my leg. I find it quite fun.
Our journey took longer than I thought like it was never ending. after more than 12 hours journey we arrive at the Accueil Notre Dame (Hospital Hostel). There were 9 of us altogether, 3 disabled and our family members and 2 doctors who are brothers stayed at the Accueil. The rest of the group was taken to a nearby Hotel.
Before our trip, I was told that we were going to be spending our days in a hospital. My mind ran wild, I was thinking we were all going to stay in a hospital ward like our General Hospital. But to my great surprise, the hospital there was like our 1st class in a 5 Star hotel. I can say that it was much nicer than any hotel room I eve stay in Penang. I could feel the peace when I enter my 2 beded room. It was also very comfortable and clean. The toilet and bathroom were separated and it was all equip with disabled facilities.
The restaurant was very nearby our rooms and it was quite big and clean. We were served with French food in the restaurant. The main dish was bread like our Malaysian garlic bread. Two days after our arrival, there were a big European group consists of people old, young and disabled. The restaurant was full of noise because it was crowded with people.
It was raining the first 2 days and when I go out during the daytime and it was very cold outside. So I wore my jacket and was covered me 2 thick blankets (borrow from the hospital) a scarf on my head and a rain-coat. I find myself so funny.
Before I went I thought it would be a boring trip, never did I realize it was a great experience as everyday we went to different places. I went for the “BATH” twice because on the first day I faced language with the ladies incharged and I got into spasm. Later they didn’t take me in, instead the ladies just sprinkle water on my head and let me drink the holy water.
When I came out, I felt something happen to me. Suddenly tears kept flowing down from my check and I didn’t know why. I let myself continue crying without bothering people stare at me. At that time I was infront of the GROTTO and I pour my heart out to Jesus and Our Lady. I felt like Jesus was healing me emotionally as I have many hurts in me throughout my pass life. In my entire life I seldom cry.
The second day I went for the BATH again and this time I really went in. I was put me onto a stretcher and they pushed me into a room where there were many ladies inside. It was a different experience where 8 ladies carried me together with the stretcher into the water. I was concentrating on praying that I went in and came out without realizing it. I was really touched that these ladies were willing to carry people like me into the BATH. There were still many disabled and old people were all waiting for their turn to get in the BATH.
Another amazing thing was thousands of disabled, old and sick people came to Loudres for healing. When they were on the road, they would sit on a push cart (like our Malaysian beca) and many able body volunteers’ pulling the push cart from the hospital to a huge underground church and it took around 30mins walk and also to the night candle light and rosary procession. The Annoiting for the Sick is held everyday at the huge underground church at 5pm for ½ hour to 45mins, while the candle light and rosary procession held every night 9pm.
I went for the Anointing of the Sick for 2 days and I find it so amazing because the underground church is so huge that can take in 22,000 thousands people. Everyday all these disabled, old and sick people were taken there for healing. Only that sad that I didn’t get the chance to witness the candle light and rosary procession as my body was too tired of sitting the whole day. My mum went once for the night procession and she said it was so amazing the ground was full of people in front of the Rosary Basilica.
Altogether we had 4 Masses, we also make the Way of the Cross and visited Benadnette’s Muzeum. It was very interesting to know how Benadnette’s life. An Italian lady tour guide took to her muzium and down town to where the place she live when she was young. On the last day before we left, all of us got the chance to go to the nearby town to buy some souvenir home.
In the evening of our last night in Lourdes, all of us had a dinner together at the Du Calvaire Hotel where the rest of the group were staying. It was out of the Century (where we stay) and we took 10mins walk before reaching the hotel. We took a bubble lift into the hotel and another small lift to the restaurant. The lift was really small that only one wheelchair can go it.
It was an garden with open roof top where we could enjoy the fresh air. For me, it was a romantic place for couples can have dinner. It was really nice as we were served with red and white wine before dinner. Everyone was so happy chatting away while having our dinner. Before our second food was served, it started to rain and some of them have to move to the side. After dinner, as a compliment to our group the chef made a big cake for all of us.
I believe Mother Mary was the one who choose each one to go to Lourdes and I never realize I was one of the chosen one until I was back home. It was a great honour to be infront of the GROTTO praying to Our Lady in person and watching her.
I thank God that everyone in our group didn’t fall sick throughout our whole journey. I also knew Our Lady and Jesus protected all of us all from the A H1N1 virus. None of us had to wear the uncomfortable mask throughout the journey. It was like the virus never occured. When we reach back to Bangkok and Penang Airport then I saw some of the staff wearing mask even the Malay potter who helped me down the plane from our Penang Airport.
It was an garden with open roof top where we could enjoy the fresh air. For me, it was a romantic place for couples can have dinner. It was really nice as we were served with red and white wine before dinner. Everyone was so happy chatting away while having our dinner. Before our second food was served, it started to rain and some of them have to move to the side. After dinner, as a compliment to our group the chef made a big cake for all of us.
I believe Mother Mary was the one who choose each one to go to Lourdes and I never realize I was one of the chosen one until I was back home. It was a great honour to be infront of the GROTTO praying to Our Lady in person and watching her.
I thank God that everyone in our group didn’t fall sick throughout our whole journey. I also knew Our Lady and Jesus protected all of us all from the A H1N1 virus. None of us had to wear the uncomfortable mask throughout the journey. It was like the virus never occured. When we reach back to Bangkok and Penang Airport then I saw some of the staff wearing mask even the Malay potter who helped me down the plane from our Penang Airport.
Altogether i sat on 6 planes to and flo, 3 big busses and a van. It was a really tiring journey
but a very good experience.
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