Students Learn Language of Spiritual Healing Through Supporting Pilgrims in Lourdes

(August 9, 2024) — “Memorable.” “Profound.” “A sense of connection.” These expressions shared by a Georgetown School of Nursing student and a School of Medicine student capture their spiritual experience during a summer trip to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

Each year, 3 million pilgrims journey to Lourdes from around the world seeking physical or spiritual relief in the sanctuary’s storied healing waters. The pilgrims are welcomed to the “baths” by volunteers who offer spiritual support to those wanting to make the “water gesture” — drinking from the water and washing their hands and face.

Ainsley Bliss (N’26) and Zachary Wilson (M’26) were among the students who volunteered in the baths during their 10-day trip as part of Georgetown’s Lourdes Magis Immersion Program.

“Something that surprised me was the ability to understand one another despite the language barrier,” Bliss said. “We would communicate with body language, eye contact and smiles.”

“Too often, we hurry through our everyday tasks and interactions,” she added. “The language barrier forced us to slow down and be present. We became more aware and intentional of our use of facial expressions, tone of voice and human touch.

“The act of slowing down fosters a greater relationship and sense of connection that I hope to carry into my practice as a nurse,” she said.

Wilson felt blessed to join the nursing students on the annual pilgrimage.

On his last day in Lourdes, he met two pilgrims, an elderly American man and his wife, who entered the baths. Wilson, who wants to be an oncologist, said the husband had bone cancer and they had come to Lourdes in search of healing in the waters.

Wilson walked them through the water gestures and then asked if they would like to wash each other’s hands.

“I could see the depth of their love for one another as they happily performed this extra step,” Wilson said. “They had spent their entire lives together, and now a terrible illness threatened to tear them apart.”

Wilson later learned they were from the same small town in Virginia where he had grown up.

“I left the baths that day with a deeper sense of conviction in both my chosen career path and desire to become an oncologist,” Wilson said. “I want to fight for patients like him.”

Wilson said the Lourdes experience revealed the role of faith in the darkest moments of life.

“I believe that everyone who journeys to Lourdes with an open heart does receive something from God, even if it takes some time to become apparent,” Wilson said. “Faith does not guarantee physical healing, but it does provide meaning in suffering and the belief that we do not suffer alone.”

Scenes from the Lourdes Magis Immersion Program

The Upper Church at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes rises above the river nearby.

Eight students from the School of Nursing and one medical student (pictured far l) participated in the Lourdes Magis Immersion Program.

Preparing to volunteer in the baths where the students assisted pilgrims as they performed the “water gestures”: (l to r) My Nguyen, Charlotte Smith, Leah Nishiguchi, Chloe Smith, Kyra Masone, Ainsley Bliss, Josephine Davis, Natalie Abey.

Rain doesn’t deter the pilgrims to Lourdes. Each year, 3 million pilgrims journey to the holy site from around the world seeking physical or spiritual relief in Lourdes’ storied healing waters.

Visitors can request a candle be lit for them in the Chapels of Light. Candles have been burning continuously at Lourdes since 1958.

The group sampled French cuisine.

Leah Nishiguchi, Ainsley Bliss, Natalie Abey, Josephine Davis and Kyra Masone also visited Loyola, Spain.