Coming to Lourdes for the first time means first of all looking at and discovering this place where the Virgin Mary appeared eighteen times in 1858. It means feeling the faith of the thousands of pilgrims who respond to Our Lady’s call to “come here in procession” and observing the hope of all the sick pilgrims who come to the Grotto for a little comfort and – why not – the grace of healing. Seeing the charity of all those, volunteers and hospitallers, who come to serve others, means experiencing the Message of Lourdes in practice.