LOURDES...

Certain places in the World can move us to tears by their beauty and wonderful artistic buildings. At first, that was my reaction when I visited the magical place called LOURDES.  

At one time it was just a small village, poor yet rich in natural beauty, being surrounded by the Pyranees.  I was impressed by my visit, yet a part of me felt uneasy.  Has it just become a Tourist place, with plenty of Liturgical goings on? Impressive, yet the surrounding nature seem to attract me more...

Then, I discovered where the magic could be found... the Stations of the Cross, beautifully carved out of blocks of stone, depicting the sorrowful and terrible sufferings of the Passion of Christ.

The figures portrayed seem to come to life, with expressions of sorrow and compassion, depicting Veronica touching the Face of Christ, her hand gently brushing his wounded cheek.

And, when Mary, His mother met her Son, somehow, I was not looking at figures carved out of stone, but a mother and Son embracing each other with such deep sorrow and tremendous Love.