Day's Program
Morning
9:45 Celebration of Reconciliation — On the main plaza
The "Bread of Life" community will present the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Afterward, we will wash our faces and hands, as the Virgin Mary asked Bernadette to do, and then we can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Afternoon
Free time — Activities available:
- visit Lourdes:
- Bernadette's house
- the Pyrenees Museum
- the Gemmail Museum
- Bartrès (4 km away)
- Film: Il suffit d'aimer
After Dinner
20:45 Easter Vigil — At the Basilica of Saint Pius X
"Jesus became like his brothers and sisters in every way… Because he himself suffered so greatly, he is able to help all those who are severely tested."
Saint Paul
The Prodigal Son
This performance took forgiveness as its theme, expressed through the parable of the Prodigal Son, staged by the Bread of Life community.
The aim was to show us the value of friendship and forgiveness.
Simple but effective costumes made it easy to identify the roles of the "good" and the "wicked."
The scene itself spoke volumes—divided by white and black drapes that helped us follow the passage from darkness into light.
Every element reinforced this duality between good and evil. Heavenly music accompanied the scenes of community, while a series of chaotic, indistinct sounds symbolized the corrupting society.
The person who abandons the community in a heartbreaking moment—stripped of a white tunic—is tempted by the corrupting world with all its weapons: money, hatred, selfishness, violence. But the pull of goodness proves stronger. After bathing in purifying water, the prodigal son returns to his community.
Good overflows and suffocates evil. That's when white drapes cover the black section of the stage.
….
Like the Passion play, this performance was deeply moving, but rather difficult to grasp—especially for some handicapped members of our group, according to a survey we took afterward.
The symbolism woven through both performances didn't always register. Another challenge was the distance from the stage, which meant not everyone could fully participate in these productions.
The Saint Paul Group
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
a poem by a friend
that cold late morning
on the esplanade
I may forget the tide of faces
the singing
the candles
the thousand ribbons in the wind—
but never
a priest
in white vestments
kneeling before a boy in a wheelchair.
the man was on his knees
his head bowed against the bowed head.
I'll never know if they spoke
or wept together
in silence
from too much pain
or from boundless joy.
I think that in that embrace
so tender and strong
they sought peace
together.
Christ Jesus Is Risen! Alleluia
The night was cold, all darkness and shadow. You could see nothing. It was as if the sun had never existed—as if the world knew only night. The darkness was so complete you couldn't even see inside yourself: your face, your conscience. Night ruled the world as though it contained only evil, violence, suffering, and death.
From far away came a sad, burning cry—from someone still searching for light in the darkness. They despised him and silenced him. Now the world belonged to night.
For two days after, we celebrated, wishing the light had been snuffed out in the world. Others wept without ceasing, afraid, anguished. "My God, have you abandoned me?"
On the morning of the third day, a glimmer of light rose in the darkness. Slowly it began to illuminate the whole world, penetrating the hearts of men, teaching them to love one another. The light was Love.
This Love fills the souls and hearts of those who possess humility, trust, and love.
This Love came into the world to heal the wounds of humanity and to save us from our misery—from suffering and death.
It is this Love that stirs the human heart, touches it, and consoles the soul with mercy. This Love is Jesus Christ himself.
The immense love of Jesus Christ embraces all our being, takes into itself all human weakness, uniting itself with each of us. And it gives us peace and eternal joy!
"Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!"
The voice of Christ's joy and victory will echo forever throughout this world. May God bless all my friends in Fede e Luce.
Francesco KIM — Korean priest
The Strongest Moments
For me, the most powerful moments came when I saw the same thought, the same longing, the same impulse, the same cry reflected in people's faces. In those moments I understood we were in communion—we had broken down every barrier, even the ones that usually hold most stubbornly in place.
One of these moments was the Alleluia during Saturday's vigil. It was a true Alleluia of resurrection, sung with a particular joy because I knew I was united with everyone else living that Resurrection, the Resurrection that happened for each of us, even for the smallest among us.
And it was precisely the smallest who showed me the simplicity necessary for pilgrimage—they helped me stop asking so many questions, to set aside the critical spirit I'd brought with me, and to seek the humility required to stand for a moment before the grotto. They reminded me that we are all in need of Resurrection.
Anna Cece