August 9, 2012 - PARIS SOJOURN

Tomorrow, August 10, 2012, I will be on a Paris sojourn with my daughters Marissa and Cielo and my niece, Ritz, daughter of my sister, Glory. The sights and sounds of the City of Light has enraptured me in its web of Renaissance architecture and contemporary edifices, fascinating melting-pot of art, culture, fashion and culinary excellence. It is a cosmopolitan city of many wonderful things for the eyes to see, the ears to hear and magnificent array of time-honored crafts hands have created and a surplus of nuances for emotions to  surge and hearts to embrace. The very ambiance of the place where people of diverse origins, color, creed or attire meet and inter-act in a manner amicably with respect and understanding, consideration and assistance overwhelms me! Yet, Paris also is the capital of France where social reforms have ignited revolutions of such magnitude to effect political and social living.

What keeps me breathless with wonder and amazement is the old-world charm of the Renaissance structures of cathedrals and buildings coupled with the sweeping elegance of bold Modern Art. However, to me, the medieval masterpieces in painting and other art forms outshine the contemporary look although a certain harmony pervades in their contrasting features. With more than 2,000 monuments, breath-taking sanctuaries for worship and prayer which are masterpieces in themselves, I, nay, anyone can be easily carried to Cloud 9.

Most important of all, my visit to Paris always includes a pilgrimage to 140 Rue de Bac where our Blessed Mother appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in the chapel of the Convent of the Sisters of Charity on July 18, 1830, the first of several encounters. She leaned her hands on our Lady's lap as she was told of the great suffering that would come to the Church. In addition, she was told of a mission she was to undertake.

On November 27, 1830, our Blessed Mother appeared to her in an oval frame standing on a globe wearing many rings of different colors which shone rays of light. Around the margin of the oval were the words, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee." A large letter, M, was encircled with 12 stars and a stylized Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary. Our Lady said, " All who wear this medal will receive many graces." The medal which was struck upon instructions received by St. Catherine Laboure became known as "The Miraculous Medal" because of the reported cures and healing which number by the millions.

St. Catherine Laboure died at age 70 on December 31, 1876. Her body was exhumed after 57  and was found unravaged by natural law of death with her blue eyes open. I first saw her in 1975 and through the 18 times I have so far visited her, St. Catherine's body is still incorrupt and her eyes still blue. 

Another pilgrimage site in Paris is St. Vincent de Paul. But his story deserves a blog all its own.... for next time.