Meeting Jesus Through A Blind Man: My First Time in Lourdes (France)
- JPaul Hernandez
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
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When I first arrived in Lourdes, I didn’t know quite what to expect. I had heard the stories, of course, but being there in person is a different experience entirely. If I’m being honest, my first impression was that it felt a bit like a "Catholic Disneyland." The sheer scale of it, the lights, the crowds—it’s overwhelming in the best way possible.
But beneath the spectacle, there is a culture that is truly life-changing. It’s a place that doesn't just invite you to be good; it pushes you toward it. In a world that often feels cynical, Lourdes is a reminder that charity and kindness are not just possible—they are alive and well.
The Moment of Uncertainty
During the evening candlelight procession, we encountered a blind man with a walking stick. He wanted to join the procession, but he clearly needed someone to guide him through the sea of people.
I’ll be vulnerable with you: my first instinct wasn’t purely charitable. For a split second, I wondered if this was some kind of modus operandi—a distraction to steal from us in the middle of the crowd. It’s a sad reality of the world we live in, and even as a coach and speaker who talks about faith, those "adulting" anxieties can creep in.
But in that moment of uncertainty, my friend Ace stepped up. He didn't hesitate. He assisted the man for more than an hour, walking side-by-side as we moved through the prayerful throng.
Treasures of the Church
Watching them walk together, I realized that Jesus was speaking to me through that man. It was a direct reminder of a profound truth: the poor are the treasures of the Church.
As a business advisor and coach, I often talk about "value" and "assets." In the kingdom of God, value isn't found in your bottom line or your follower count. It’s found in how we treat those who can do nothing for us in return.
Lourdes taught me that loving Jesus isn’t just about the big prayers or the beautiful cathedrals; it’s about the person right next to you who needs a hand to hold.
Pilgrimage Perspective
If you’re looking to grow—not just in your career, but in your character—start by looking for opportunities to serve where there is no "ROI" involved. Kindness is a leadership skill that the world desperately needs.
How can you love Jesus through the poor today? It might not be a pilgrimage in France. It might just be the person in your own neighborhood, or the colleague who is struggling in silence.
Let’s create a culture that pushes each other toward the good.
The best is yet to come,
JPaul Hernandez
P.S. join our next pilgrimage on October, The Divine Mercy and Medjugorje Pilgrimage here:
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