The New Prosperity Gospel
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us in our #healingeras
This photo was taken in 2021. I was dashing from an early morning breakfast to the grotto at Lourdes, where our group of pilgrims was going to celebrate Mass at sunrise on our last morning together. Claire, my friend Shannon called. She’s the greatest insta-friend I have, always looking for that shot that will look #aesthetic in a square. I turned, and grinned, and it produced this photo. I love it. It’s not a flattering pose and I’m absolutely freezing in my bare legs but I was so happy to be there, at Lourdes. You can tell, I think.
I came to Lourdes with a specific intention, as so many do. A problem I had taken to the Lord over and over again. I was determined to be the widow who wouldn’t stop banging on the door.1 The magic water, I had heard, could heal anything.
The air outside was cold and sharp; the sun peaked out from behind mountaintops and the leaves were drifting down from trees in shades of amber and gold. But as I stood there and a French woman poured water into my hands, I felt nothing. I experienced no change. This problem was not fixed. This brand of magic didn’t work on me. Out of the thousands of people who’ve made pilgrimage to Lourdes clutching walking sticks and wishes, the church has validated 70 miracles.