“Make the sign of the cross well”
Mgr. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, rector, paid tribute to the work of Father Mark Kemseke over the past 34 years, during which he has helped so many pilgrimages from Flanders and the Netherlands to discover the message of Lourdes and to celebrate its signs.
Father Mark Kemseke would like to give thanks for everything he received at Lourdes, “in particular making the sign of the cross well, and that is already a lot, as Bernadette Soubirous pointed out”.
The wisdom of Mary
The reading of 12th February, which tells the story of the Queen of Sheba discovering all the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-10), allows Father Mark Kemseke to say that, “the pilgrims of Lourdes come to visit those who have even more wisdom than this.” Mary showed this in just a few words: “Do whatever He tells you”. Bernadette who understood everything and retained the message transmitted by the Lady at the Grotto and brought it to us with wisdom, did the same: I am not responsible for making you believe it, I am responsible for telling you.” Father Mark Kemseke gives thanks for the wisdom these two women were able to give him. He can take it with him on his new mission. He will come back to Lourdes to drink again at the spring, in the sure and certain knowledge that “everything we receive here is good”.
The entire community of the Sanctuary entrusts him to the tender protection of Our Lady of Lourdes.
1 av. Monseigneur Théas
