Ep 2. The Sacred Waters of Lourdes

The Sacred Waters of Lourdes is the second episode of the fifth season of the documentary television series Ancient Mysteries. The show delves into the incredible story of Lourdes, a place in southwestern France where a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a cave in 1858. The series explores the centuries-old belief that the waters of Lourdes have curative powers, with millions of pilgrims visiting the site every year to drink and bathe in the holy waters.

The episode begins by explaining the history of the Lourdes pilgrimage, which has been continuously popular since Bernadette first saw the apparitions. The show explores the phenomenon of religious healing in general, and how Christianity has long held that miracles such as these are possible through faith. The episode then uses archival footage and interviews with medical experts and pilgrims to display the sheer number of people who flock to Lourdes yearly.

Next, the show explores the scientific phenomena observed around the waters of Lourdes. Scientists have studied the water and found that it contains traces of metal and other minerals, which may have healing properties. The episode also delves into the theories of famed Swiss scientist Jacques Benveniste, who hypothesized that water had a "memory" that could retain the chemical signatures of substances it had been in contact with previously. This theory has been largely discredited in the scientific community, but the episode still posits that there may be some neurological or psychological benefit to drinking or bathing in the holy waters.

As the episode progresses, it shows modern-day pilgrims making their way to Lourdes, many of whom suffer from chronic illnesses. They all hope that they will experience some sort of miraculous healing through contact with the holy waters. Viewers are introduced to several of these pilgrims, including a woman suffering from multiple sclerosis, a man who breaks down in tears when discussing his battle with leukemia, and a young boy with cerebral palsy.

The show also explores the sociological reasons that Lourdes has remained such a popular destination for so many years. For many, the pilgrimage is a way to connect with their religion and renew their faith. For others, it is a way to cope with the emotional and physical pain of illness or injury. The episode includes interviews with several religious leaders and historians to better understand why the pilgrimage remains such an enduring and important part of the Catholic faith.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers are left to ponder the mystery and power of the Lourdes pilgrimage. Despite the lack of scientific evidence that the waters themselves have any healing powers, the sheer number of people who visit the site each year suggests that something profound is happening there. The show ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that perhaps the greatest mystery of all is the power of human faith, and the potential for it to inspire hope and healing in even the most dire circumstances.