“Challenge”, the Boys Ward Magazine, Summer 1957 Lourdes It was a typical, English, April afternoon when we assembled with the hundreds of other pilgrims for the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. As soon as we were assembled we trooped to the Empire Restaurant for high tea. Straight after high tea we received Benediction. After Benediction we gathered on Victoria Station, and at 7 o'clock we said farewell to our friends and set off for Folkestone where we arrived about 11 o'clock. We boarded the "Côte d'Azur" and, after a very calm crossing, we landed at Calais where we were inspected by French customs officers. We left Calais at 1 o'clock and headed for Valenton where we were to pick up some dining cars for the long journey to the Pyrenees. We slept on the train from leaving Calais until just before reaching Valenton. At 5 o'clock next morning the dining cars were attached to our train and soon afterwards breakfast was served. The rest of the journey was a sightseer’s dream. After Valenton the next place of interest was Orleans where Joan of Arc laid siege to this great city Joan was later to be known as The Maiden of Orleans. From Orleans to Tours, then on to Poitiers and Angoulême, after which came the tedious ride over flat, plateau country lasting about two hours. Bordeaux! This large and stately harbour handles most of France's imports from southern countries. Bordeaux was the scene of "Cockleshell Heroes" who played so much havoc amongst the German shipping then in harbour. From (?) we had a rather tiring run to Dax which is the last main stopping point in France before the Spanish border. From Dax we went on to Puyoô, Pau and finally Lourdes, the town in which Our Lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. The Hotel Royal in which were staying exactly faced the Grotto (the Grotto being the place where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette). It is at the place, where the apparition took place, that the baths are. In these baths, which are fed by an underground stream that appeared just after the apparition, the sick are bathed and miraculous cures have been witnessed. Although the waters of the baths are never changed and the sick are constantly bathed in them, they are quite pure. Scientific tests have proved that no germs can live in this water, so it has gone on for years since Bernadette had the apparition. People have come just for the blessings; sick have come to be cured and in many cases, I can say, have been cured. It is not surprising that Lourdes attracts many thousands including bishops, priests, The Pope, and even folk from behind the Iron Curtain. One of Jim Smith’s photographs. Lourdes 1956. Jim is back left next to Dr Strode. Peter is front right.