Our last full day together! Everyone could sleep in a little bit today, but we had to be ready to leave the Grand Moderne Hotel at 9:30 for our 10 AM Mass in the Grotto of Lourdes. We celebrated Mass right where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette and where the spring is now still bubbling with water. Everyone got to enter the grotto and see and touch things up close. Everyone collected water from the fountains to take home with them.
After the English-speaking Mass we went to hear Dr. Allesandro de Franciscis who is the head doctor from the medical department here in Lourdes. For 17 years, he has been in charge of the bureau that determines the authenticity of miraculous cures. He is an excellent speaker, entertaining, and full of information. It was an honor to have him speak to our group.
The rest of the day was free for everyone to do their final prayers and exploring at Lourdes before our farewell dinner at 6:30 PM.