Big Graces in the Small Village of Lalouvesc

As we’ve been traveling from place to place in France, I’ve occasionally had the opportunity to tell locals or other tourists where we’ve come from and where we’re going. Everyone has heard of Lisieux, Lourdes, Ars, and Annecy — but I’ve gotten blank stares whenever I mention the small town of Lalouvesc, which has a population of just 383 people. (When our bus of 49 pilgrims arrived last night, we increased the population by more than ten percent.)

This small town, however, has been a place of big graces. We began our morning with Mass for the feast of St. Teresa of Avila in the Basilica of St. John Francis Regis, namesake of St. John’s in Hollywood. Fr. Swink was the principal celebrant, and Fr. Ray preached the homily.

Fr. Ray recounted the remarkable ministry of St. John Francis Regis. He was a Jesuit with great zeal for souls and longed to be a missionary in the New World, like the North American Martyrs. When his superiors insisted that he remain in France, he redoubled his efforts in evangelization — preaching missions in the snowy mountain villages during the winter and ministering in the cities during the summer, where he helped free women from prostitution. His holiness inspired many other French saints, including St. John Vianney and St. Thérèse Couderc, whose incorrupt body rests in the same basilica as St. John Francis Regis.

After Mass, we were blessed with a mini-retreat in the basilica that included a talk by Fr. Ray, Eucharistic Adoration, and a second talk by Fr. Swink. Fr. Ray offered practical suggestions for a daily prayer routine and encouraged us to consider one change we could make in our spiritual lives as a result of this pilgrimage. Fr. Swink shared helpful advice for making time for prayer, overcoming distraction and dryness, and persevering even when we don’t notice immediate results. The mini-retreat was a beautiful opportunity to pause and reflect as we near the end of this extraordinary journey through France.

In the afternoon, we had plenty of free time to explore Lalouvesc. Some visited the local bakery, supermarket, and shops; others took advantage of the mountain trails for a refreshing hike. Still others prayed the outdoor stations of the Cross. A few also visited the Fountain of St. John Francis Regis, where he is said to have drunk when he came to Lalouvesc. Some claim the waters are miraculous.

It was a pleasant, leisurely afternoon, and we ended our day with dinner at the hotel — grateful for the friendships that have deepened during this pilgrimage.