St. Bernadette’s encounter with Our Lady in 1858 has inspired hope and mercy in the hearts of millions. St. Bernadette’s simplicity, humility, and example is at the heart of Kellenberg Memorial’s annual Mission of Mercy to Lourdes, France. For the third straight year, Kellenberg Memorial has sent students to serve as missionaries in Lourdes. This summer, two groups of students served from July 5 to 18 and from July 26 to August 8. Both trips followed the same itinerary, stopping for the first leg of their journey in Bordeaux, where students toured the city and visited the La Madeleine Chapel and the residence of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade.
While in Lourdes, the students assisted with a variety of service assignments. Each day there was a need for assistance in the daily Eucharistic Processions and Rosary Processions. Students also served at the train station, where they greeted and assisted the elderly and infirmed as they arrived on their own journeys.
In all of their services, the students shared the same sense of charity and joy that Our Lady brought to St. Bernadette.