That whole Lourdes thing

[Gob]

Hundreds of Roman Catholic pilgrims have been evacuated from the sanctuary of Lourdes in France after heavy flooding in the area.

The Gave de Pau river burst its banks after days of rain, flooding campsites around the shrine and parts of the southern city itself.

Lourdes is famous for what many Roman Catholics believe was a vision of the Virgin Mary by a local girl in 1858.

Millions of pilgrims from around the world visit the shrine each year.

More than 450 pilgrims, including the sick and disabled, were evacuated from the area by Saturday, local officials say.



The water now is about a metre (three feet) deep in front of the grotto where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared, covering the altar.

However, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception itself - situated on higher ground - has not suffered any damage, officials say.

"I've seen nothing like it in 40 years," hotel owner Pierre Barrere was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Meteorologists warn that the rain - which has been falling since Thursday - is likely to continue until at least Sunday.

The sanctuary is the name given to the central area of the Lourdes pilgrimage site, which is home to 22 places of worship.

It was founded after 14-year-old peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have witnessed a series of visions in a cave.

Since then, many people suffering illness or infirmity claim to have been miraculously cured by spring water coming from the sanctuary.

[Sean]

Why evacuate them? The shysters who run the place can get more punters into the grotto now and make a killing!

They'll run a nice line in official VM snorkels and everyone'll be happy.

[The Hen]

Even the carers will be cured!

[Sean]

From Viz Top Tips:

Wheelchair Basketball Coaches! Skip Lourdes in your forthcoming European tour this year in order to avoid losing your star players.

[MajGenl.Meade]

So this guy has his wheelchair pushed into the water and cries out to the Lord "Lord please renew Me". They pulled the chair back out and it had new tyres

[rubato]

Europe's newest water park!

The slides can all have religious-themed names: Ride the "Saul" It's blinding fast!

yrs,
rubato

[dales]

The slides can all have religious-themed names: Ride the "Saul" It's blinding fast!

That is until it hits the "Road to Damascus" then some serious soul-searching takes place.

The "John the Baptist" slide occasionaly malfuntions resulting in a rather good soaking followed by another and another.

For a real adventure try the "King Herod"..... but watch your head.

The "Judas" can be your for thirty pieces of silver and the "KIng of Kings" trip is way out of this world. Highly recommended for any and all, you WILL NOT be disappoined!

[Gob]

"Free "all you can eat" fish sandwiches at the Water into Wine bar!

[oldr_n_wsr]

Free baptisms with full price admission.

[Big RR]

Why evacuate them? The shysters who run the place can get more punters into the grotto now and make a killing!

They'll run a nice line in official VM snorkels and everyone'll be happy.

A killing? I've never been to Lourdes, but is there an admission charge or a charge to obtain the water? It wouldn't shock me, but I doubt it. Sure, I would be there are lots of people who sell religious souvenirs, but does anyone know if those who run the site charge any sort of admission or sell the "healing" waters?

I've only been to one such site, in Sabana Grande Puerto Rico, and the entire site was open to all comers free of charge. There was a parking lot that charged a nominal fee, but free on-street parking was avaialable a short walk away. There was also a store that sold souvenirs, and a sign on the grotto that the waters were offered to all free of charge and could not be sold or used for treatments where fees are charged (at least so far as my limited spanish translated it). I don't buy the claims of any miracles associated with it, but it suprised me how noncommercial the site was.

[Gob]

How can I be bathed in the Baths?
The Baths of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes are marble bathing pools where pilgrims are immersed as they respond to the request of Our Lady to Bernadette: “Go drink of the spring and wash yourself there”. Going through the Baths at Lourdes is a human and spiritual experience carried out by pilgrims who wish to renew their Baptismal Commitment. The water for the Baths is provided by the spring of the Grotto.
There is free access to the Baths; there is no need to make a reservation. Pilgrims do not need to bring anything with them. All that is required is provided on the spot to preserve a person’s modesty and dignity. Pilgrims are advised to arrive about an hour before the opening times.
Opening Times:
April to October: weekdays: 9.00am to 11.00am and 2.30pm to 4.00pm - Sundays and Holidays: 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
November to March: Weekdays: 10.00am to 11.00am and 3.00pm to 4.00pm - Sundays and Holidays: 2.30pm to 4.00pm.

[Sean]

I haven't been to Lourdes either but my mother has. She's a devout catholic but would never go back there. True, there is no charge as such but pilgrims are pressurised into making donations at every turn... and being Catholics these people are very good at the whole guilt thing. The souvenir business is a huge industry at Lourdes and again the pressure is on to buy to support the work of the church. My mother described it as the most unchristian place she's ever visited... and she's been to Leeds!

[Crackpot]

Pressurised??

[Daisy]

My mother described it as the most unchristian place she's ever visited... and she's been to Leeds!

[MajGenl.Meade]

Pressurised??

She was steaming mad

[oldr_n_wsr]

About to blow her top?