Photos

Service to the sick in Lourdes transforms lives of local young people

For the past 24 years, Father Wayne Watts, pastor of St. John Berchmans, 2511 W. Logan Blvd., has taken young people in high school and college to Lourdes, France, to volunteer with the sick, or malades, as they are called there. Editor Joyce Duriga accompanied the pilgrims on their journey July 22-Aug. 3, 2018 to witness the transformations first hand.
Volunteers from Chicago and the Diocese of Belley Ars, France, push the sick in an evening rosary procession at the sanctuary in Lourdes, France, July 26. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Rory Neenan pulls the chariots of a malade as the group transports them from the hospital during their pilgrimage July 24. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Eric Ortiz pushes a malade through the grotto where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette. Pilgrims touch the walls of the grotto as they pass. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Chicago young people pull malades through the grotto where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette. Pilgrims touch the walls of the grotto as they pass. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Claire Russelll hugs a malade after giving him a T-shirt from Chicago July 25. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Luke Phillips hugs a malade after giving her a T-shirt from Chicago July 25. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Father Wayne Watts celebrates Mass with the pilgrims in a chapel at Lourdes July 27. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Joe Thursby and Rory Neenan pray during Mass July 27. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Consuelo Sahagun de Ortiz pulls a malade through Lourdes July 28. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Father Watts and Jack Nettleton hand out T-shirts and hats from Chicago to youth from Belley Ars, France, July 28. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
The pilgrims kneel as they pray the stations of the cross on a hill above Lourdes July 28. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Volunteers, called "hospitaliers," from the Diocese of Belly Ars wear armbands identifying their group. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Statues of Mary for sale around Lourdes. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Marco Marcato of Italy passes a clergyman and woman religious as he visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes July 27 in France before the start of the Tour de France cycling race. (CNS photo/Benoit Tessier, Reuters)
Marco Marcato of Italy is greeted by Father Andre Cabes, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, as he visits the grotto July 27 before the start of the Tour de France cycling race. (CNS photo/Benoit Tessier, Reuters)
A cyclist passes a statue of Mary July 27 during the Tour de France cycling race in Lourdes. (CNS photo/Benoit Tessier, Reuters)

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