Every day since our coming here has been for us a day of prayer, and,
at the same time, a day of rest--rest for body and for soul. There
is something in the very atmosphere of Lourdes which inspires
devotion and invites repose. Every morning the pilgrims assist at
Mass in the Grotto and many receive Holy Communion. We all of us
take our places, too, in the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and
at night, in the torch-light procession. This morning at ten o'clock
we had Solemn High Mass in the Grotto, with a Canadian as celebrant,
Canadians as ministers at the altar, and Canadians as singers. The
service was, of course, in the open air, and very solemn and
impressive it was. While we joined in the chant of the Mass, the
wind in the trees around about us seemed to sing an accompaniment,
and the hoarse-sounding Gave lent its deep bass voice as it sped on
its way to the ocean.
To-morrow at eleven o'clock we bid adieu to Lourdes. With Lourdes
our pilgrimage ends. At Paris, where we are due Monday evening, our
pilgrim party breaks up. Some will stay there for a season, others
will sail from Liverpool on the following Thursday, and yet others
will visit parts of Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, or of France itself,
before turning their steps homeward. Of this number is the present
writer. But here at Lourdes, as I have said, our pilgrimage ends.
And so from Lourdes, from this sweet shrine of Our Lady by the
sounding waters of the Gave, let me send after its fellows this last
leaf from