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Viaje a Lourdes
Barcelona. 21 cm. 140 p. Encuadernación en tapa dura de editorial. Carrel, Alexis 1873-1944. Alexis Carrel, con una introducción de Dom Alexis Presse Traducción española por Luis Jordá. Agustin Núñez]. Trad. del v. de la port .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario.
- GenresCatholicSpirituality
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1950
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100 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Carrel
76 books114 followersFrench surgeon Alexis Carrel for his work on vascular ligature and grafting of blood vessels and organs won a Nobel Prize of 1912.
People awarded this biologist in physiology or medicine for pioneering suturing techniques. He invented the first perfusion pump with Charles Augustus Lindbergh to open the way to transplantation. Like many intellectuals, he promoted eugenics before World War II. He faced media attacks over his alleged involvement with the Nazis. The foundation for the study of human problems during Vichy implemented the eugenics policies; his association as a regent and with ultra-nationalist Parti Populaire Franςais of Jacques Doriot led to investigations of collaborating with the Nazis, but he died at the end of his life before people ably held any trial.
People also elected Alexis Carrel, a prominent laureate, in 1924 and 1927 as an honorary member of the academy of sciences of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
People awarded this biologist in physiology or medicine for pioneering suturing techniques. He invented the first perfusion pump with Charles Augustus Lindbergh to open the way to transplantation. Like many intellectuals, he promoted eugenics before World War II. He faced media attacks over his alleged involvement with the Nazis. The foundation for the study of human problems during Vichy implemented the eugenics policies; his association as a regent and with ultra-nationalist Parti Populaire Franςais of Jacques Doriot led to investigations of collaborating with the Nazis, but he died at the end of his life before people ably held any trial.
People also elected Alexis Carrel, a prominent laureate, in 1924 and 1927 as an honorary member of the academy of sciences of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 30, 2020
A report of the pilgrimage to the famous city of Lourdes, where many desperate patients were going to get cured by the miraculous Virgin Mary, the Lady of the city. Alexis Carrel [named Lerrac in the book] describes the people who go there with the hope of getting cured. Poor or rich, they are all suffering and their only hope is a miracle. Almost 20% of them gets cured. The author asks a priest about the other 80% who hope for a cure and suffer the miseries of the long journey in vain. "You are reckoning without faith, my dear Doctor answers the priest. Those who are not cured come back comforted, and even if they die when they get home they are still happy!"
The author reports what he sees. But this is not simply a scientific report. It is written as a fictional account in the third person and is really a joy to read; a compelling and a very touching text:
"... the rays of the sun were glistening above the small green hill, entering the door of the wagon and hitting the face of the sick girl. The birds were chirping. A wonderful smell of the grass was emerging by the soil. The purity of the air was mixing perfectly with the beauty of the landscape. Τhe adorable beauty of the day that was just beginning, emphasized the horrors of the sick people in this train that moved triumphantly through the countryside. The pity face of this young girl at the peak of her age, where she should enjoy life-but she wouldn't even have the chance to taste it; how miserable she was in the midst of this impossible happiness surrounding her? And yet, as Lerrac clearly saw, none of her likes wanted to give up to despair. Everyone was struggling on his own-the need to live, the seeking of life. Happy are those who believe that there is high above an Intelligence that wisely leads the world and keeps us safe from the blind powers of destruction". (the text of the book is in French, so please forgive any errors in my translation).
The author reports what he sees. But this is not simply a scientific report. It is written as a fictional account in the third person and is really a joy to read; a compelling and a very touching text:
"... the rays of the sun were glistening above the small green hill, entering the door of the wagon and hitting the face of the sick girl. The birds were chirping. A wonderful smell of the grass was emerging by the soil. The purity of the air was mixing perfectly with the beauty of the landscape. Τhe adorable beauty of the day that was just beginning, emphasized the horrors of the sick people in this train that moved triumphantly through the countryside. The pity face of this young girl at the peak of her age, where she should enjoy life-but she wouldn't even have the chance to taste it; how miserable she was in the midst of this impossible happiness surrounding her? And yet, as Lerrac clearly saw, none of her likes wanted to give up to despair. Everyone was struggling on his own-the need to live, the seeking of life. Happy are those who believe that there is high above an Intelligence that wisely leads the world and keeps us safe from the blind powers of destruction". (the text of the book is in French, so please forgive any errors in my translation).
Lerrac is not a Christian. He is a well known scientist and he believes in the truths of science. He declares that he would be convinced only if he could see "...a leg growing back after amputation, a cancer disappearing, a congenital dislocation suddenly vanishing".
But in the end, after the experience of this voyage, his view changes. To quote Lerrac once more: " These various phases of his [intellectual] development had brought him nothing but unhappiness. As he looked back upon his life, he realized that, after all, the Catholicism he had unfortunately failed to understand had given him more peace. Now he was alone and in darkness. Intellectual systems no longer seemed to count. In the face of life and death, mere theories were void. It was not science that nourished the inner life of man; it was the faith of the soul."
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September 23, 2024A NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING SURGEON'S "NOVELISTIC" TALE OF HIS EXPERIENCES AT LOURDES
Alexis Carrel (1873- 1944) was a French surgeon and biologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1912 for pioneering vascular suturing techniques. He advocated eugenics, and supported policies of gassing "undesirables," and was accused of being a Nazi collaborator a during the occupation of Vichy France. This book was written probably shortly after his 1903 visit to Lourdes, but was not published until after his death. The book was written in the third person (ostensibly by a "Dr. Louis Lerrac"---Carrel's last name reversed).
The first chapter states, "Lerrac was convinced that the Lourdes phenomena deserved scientific investigation... A systematic study of the Lourdes cures had never been undertaken. Lerrac had decided to make the attempt. If the cures turned out to be only imaginary, he would not be losing much time. If, on the other hand, there were definite results, no matter what caused them, this fact, established scientifically, might have considerable interest... if, by wild chance, the facts were true, it would be a signal opportunity to see something profoundly interesting and the way would then be open to the most serious speculations." (Pg. 3-4)
He recounts a dialogue with a priest: "Out of every three hundred patients, some fifty or sixty always feel they have improved or been cured when they return.' 'And what about all those who hope for a cure and suffer the miseries of the long journey in vain?... They must die of fatigue and despair when their hopes are not fulfilled!' 'You are reckoning without faith, my dear Doctor... Those who are not cured come back comforted, and even if they die when they get home they are still happy!'" (Pg. 5)
"Lerrac" recalls, "Absorbed in his scientific studies, his mind had been strongly attracted to the German system of critical analysis ... His religious ideas, ground down during the analytic process, had finally been destroyed, leaving him only a lovely memory of a delicate and beautiful dream. He had then taken refuge in tolerant skepticism. He had a horror of all that was sectarian... He both hated and loved the fanaticism of the Lourdes pilgrims and their priests whose sealed minds were lulled to sleep by a blind faith... Truth, he thought to himself... was always a sad and bitter thing. He was an unhappy man." (Pg. 15-16)
In a discussion with a former classmate who asked him what kind of disease cure would convince him of miracles, he replied, "I would have to see an organic disease cured... a leg growing back after amputation, a cancer disappearing, a congenital dislocation suddenly vanishing. If such things could be scientifically observed, they would mean the collapse of all the laws we now accept, and then it would be permissible to admit the intervention of a supernatural power... we can never underestimate the power emanating from thousands of people united in one fervent purpose... It may possibly have a healing effect, in itself.
"But it is also certain that this power does not act on organic disease... If I should ever see such a remarkable phenomenon... I would willingly throw overboard all the theories and hypotheses in the world. But there is little danger. My purpose in coming here is to record what I see with all possible accuracy... I propose to be entirely objective... If such a case as hers [tubercular peritonitis] were cured, it would indeed be a miracle. I would never doubt again; I would become a monk!" (Pg. 20-22)
But later, "A longing now swept over Lerrac to believe, with these unhappy people among whom he found himself, that the virgin Mary was not simply an exquisite creation of the human brain. Lerrac was praying, now... Lerrac's exaltation did not last. He forced himself back into the safe paths of scientific investigations... However, Lerrac kept his detachment and was prepared to accept the evidence of any phenomenon he might observe himself." (Pg. 28)
Still later, "As he made his way past the thousands of fervent, rapt pilgrims, however, Lerrac found that he no longer wanted to smile at their childlike, fantastic hopes. All he had ever believed was turned upside down. The wildly improbable had become a simple fact. The dying were cured in a few hours. These pilgrimages had a power of their own and brought results; above all, they taught humility." (Pg. 39)
Soon, he concludes, "The Lourdes cures are incomparably superior to any known methods of therapy... All means of relieving pain and curing the sick are good, provided they succeed. It is the results that count. I have been able to observe a remarkable event... since I have seen an apparently incurable chronic invalid restored to health and normal life. These facts must be recorded, they must be conscientiously studied; above all, they must not be ignored and scorned." (Pg. 42)
He summarizes, "These various phases of his [intellectual] development had brought him nothing but unhappiness. As he looked back upon his life, he realized that, after all, the Catholicism he had unfortunately failed to understand had given him more peace. Now he was alone and in darkness. Intellectual systems no longer seemed to count. In the face of life and death, mere theories were void. It was not science that nourished the inner life of man; it was the faith of the soul." (Pg. 46)
Though more than 100 years old, this thoughtful book will still be of great interest to anyone studying Lourdes.
Alexis Carrel (1873- 1944) was a French surgeon and biologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1912 for pioneering vascular suturing techniques. He advocated eugenics, and supported policies of gassing "undesirables," and was accused of being a Nazi collaborator a during the occupation of Vichy France. This book was written probably shortly after his 1903 visit to Lourdes, but was not published until after his death. The book was written in the third person (ostensibly by a "Dr. Louis Lerrac"---Carrel's last name reversed).
The first chapter states, "Lerrac was convinced that the Lourdes phenomena deserved scientific investigation... A systematic study of the Lourdes cures had never been undertaken. Lerrac had decided to make the attempt. If the cures turned out to be only imaginary, he would not be losing much time. If, on the other hand, there were definite results, no matter what caused them, this fact, established scientifically, might have considerable interest... if, by wild chance, the facts were true, it would be a signal opportunity to see something profoundly interesting and the way would then be open to the most serious speculations." (Pg. 3-4)
He recounts a dialogue with a priest: "Out of every three hundred patients, some fifty or sixty always feel they have improved or been cured when they return.' 'And what about all those who hope for a cure and suffer the miseries of the long journey in vain?... They must die of fatigue and despair when their hopes are not fulfilled!' 'You are reckoning without faith, my dear Doctor... Those who are not cured come back comforted, and even if they die when they get home they are still happy!'" (Pg. 5)
"Lerrac" recalls, "Absorbed in his scientific studies, his mind had been strongly attracted to the German system of critical analysis ... His religious ideas, ground down during the analytic process, had finally been destroyed, leaving him only a lovely memory of a delicate and beautiful dream. He had then taken refuge in tolerant skepticism. He had a horror of all that was sectarian... He both hated and loved the fanaticism of the Lourdes pilgrims and their priests whose sealed minds were lulled to sleep by a blind faith... Truth, he thought to himself... was always a sad and bitter thing. He was an unhappy man." (Pg. 15-16)
In a discussion with a former classmate who asked him what kind of disease cure would convince him of miracles, he replied, "I would have to see an organic disease cured... a leg growing back after amputation, a cancer disappearing, a congenital dislocation suddenly vanishing. If such things could be scientifically observed, they would mean the collapse of all the laws we now accept, and then it would be permissible to admit the intervention of a supernatural power... we can never underestimate the power emanating from thousands of people united in one fervent purpose... It may possibly have a healing effect, in itself.
"But it is also certain that this power does not act on organic disease... If I should ever see such a remarkable phenomenon... I would willingly throw overboard all the theories and hypotheses in the world. But there is little danger. My purpose in coming here is to record what I see with all possible accuracy... I propose to be entirely objective... If such a case as hers [tubercular peritonitis] were cured, it would indeed be a miracle. I would never doubt again; I would become a monk!" (Pg. 20-22)
But later, "A longing now swept over Lerrac to believe, with these unhappy people among whom he found himself, that the virgin Mary was not simply an exquisite creation of the human brain. Lerrac was praying, now... Lerrac's exaltation did not last. He forced himself back into the safe paths of scientific investigations... However, Lerrac kept his detachment and was prepared to accept the evidence of any phenomenon he might observe himself." (Pg. 28)
Still later, "As he made his way past the thousands of fervent, rapt pilgrims, however, Lerrac found that he no longer wanted to smile at their childlike, fantastic hopes. All he had ever believed was turned upside down. The wildly improbable had become a simple fact. The dying were cured in a few hours. These pilgrimages had a power of their own and brought results; above all, they taught humility." (Pg. 39)
Soon, he concludes, "The Lourdes cures are incomparably superior to any known methods of therapy... All means of relieving pain and curing the sick are good, provided they succeed. It is the results that count. I have been able to observe a remarkable event... since I have seen an apparently incurable chronic invalid restored to health and normal life. These facts must be recorded, they must be conscientiously studied; above all, they must not be ignored and scorned." (Pg. 42)
He summarizes, "These various phases of his [intellectual] development had brought him nothing but unhappiness. As he looked back upon his life, he realized that, after all, the Catholicism he had unfortunately failed to understand had given him more peace. Now he was alone and in darkness. Intellectual systems no longer seemed to count. In the face of life and death, mere theories were void. It was not science that nourished the inner life of man; it was the faith of the soul." (Pg. 46)
Though more than 100 years old, this thoughtful book will still be of great interest to anyone studying Lourdes.
October 25, 2025
The fact that he was a Nazi affiliate is disgusting, but there's something utterly fascinating about this story. 1) He knew his career would be over in France if he acknowledged the miracle yet he still did it as a non-religious person 2) He went back multiple times and witnessed another miracle 3) He didn't mean to publish this book - it was found after his death. He never threw it away even if he could all those years. 4) He converted in his death bed and became Catholic before dying.
The fact that he never meant to publish it is what draws me to this story - it's almost like a memory he never wanted to forget, which is why he wrote it down. it's why his name is written backwards - he doesn't want others to know that he's the main character even if they stumbled upon it but it's almost like a confession that pleases him of what he knew to be true. The miracle he witnessed of Marie Bailly (someone he thought might die on the way to Lourdes) is fascinating too in that she lived until 58 years old spending her life serving others in a religious order.
1.His religious ideas, ground down by the analytic process, had finally been destroyed, leaving him only a lovely memory of a delicate and beautiful dream. He had then taken refuge in tolerant skepticism... Truth, he thought to himself as he sweetened the coffee which had just been brought, was always a sad and bitter thing. He was an unhappy man.
2. To the scientific mind a miracle is an absurdity. But if its existence is observed under such conditions that there is no room left for any possibility of error, it must be recognized as a fact.
3. She may die any moment right under my nose. If such a case as hers were cured, it would indeed be a miracle. I would never doubt again; I would become a monk!
4. It was the resurrection of the dead; it was a miracle!
5. She had been reclaimed from her misery, she had been restored to light, freedom, love - to life itself!
6. It was not science that nourished the inner life of the man; it was the faith of the soul.
The fact that he never meant to publish it is what draws me to this story - it's almost like a memory he never wanted to forget, which is why he wrote it down. it's why his name is written backwards - he doesn't want others to know that he's the main character even if they stumbled upon it but it's almost like a confession that pleases him of what he knew to be true. The miracle he witnessed of Marie Bailly (someone he thought might die on the way to Lourdes) is fascinating too in that she lived until 58 years old spending her life serving others in a religious order.
1.His religious ideas, ground down by the analytic process, had finally been destroyed, leaving him only a lovely memory of a delicate and beautiful dream. He had then taken refuge in tolerant skepticism... Truth, he thought to himself as he sweetened the coffee which had just been brought, was always a sad and bitter thing. He was an unhappy man.
2. To the scientific mind a miracle is an absurdity. But if its existence is observed under such conditions that there is no room left for any possibility of error, it must be recognized as a fact.
3. She may die any moment right under my nose. If such a case as hers were cured, it would indeed be a miracle. I would never doubt again; I would become a monk!
4. It was the resurrection of the dead; it was a miracle!
5. She had been reclaimed from her misery, she had been restored to light, freedom, love - to life itself!
6. It was not science that nourished the inner life of the man; it was the faith of the soul.
to-keep-reference
February 1, 2022Carrel es un médico ganador del premio Nobel que se convirtió al catolicismo luego de su viaje a Lourdes.
Citado en Jesús, el buen Pastor de la historia humana.
Citado en Jesús, el buen Pastor de la historia humana.
August 21, 2025
The personal account of a skeptical Nobel prize winning physician witnessing an unexplainable miracle at Lourdes. It’s written very well like a novel in the third person. You can watch Carrel wrestle through his own doubts in a very relatable way. This book was very short and free to borrow on Internet Archive. The focus is at times uncomfortably on Mary the mother of Jesus for a Protestant.
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February 6, 2022Le miracle de Lourdes aurait été décisif pour la conversion du Dr. Carrel, d'un agnostique (ou un athée, je n'en suis pas sûre) à un fervent croyant. Je m'attendais une description plus excitante des événements, mais ma curiosité à été toujours satisfaite malgré la narration plutôt froide.
November 6, 2025
Charming short fictional read loosely based on real people. Great for preparation for a pilgrimage!
May 15, 2024
Lo sguardo di Lerrac si posò su Marie Ferrand, e gli sembrò che il suo aspetto fosse cambiato. Si sarebbe detto che i riflessi lividi del suo volto erano scomparsi e che la sua cute era meno pallida. Sono allucinato, si disse. È un fenomeno psicologico interessante, e forse sarebbe necessario prenderne nota.
Lerrac si sedette su una sedia vicino a un anziano contadino, e gli uscì dal cuore questa preghiera:
“Vergine Santa, soccorso dei disgraziati che ti implorano umilmente, salvami. Credo in te, che hai voluto rispondere ai miei dubbi con un grande miracolo. Non lo comprendo e ancora dubito, ma il mio grande desiderio e l’oggetto supremo di tutte le mie aspirazioni è ora credere, credere in modo appassionato e cieco senza discutere né criticare mai più...."
Lerrac ha avuto l’impressione che grazie alla mano della Vergine avesse raggiunto la certezza, e ha creduto perfino di sentire la sua dolcezza ammirevole e pacificatrice in un modo così profondo che, senza la minima inquietudine, ha allontanato la minaccia di un ritorno al dubbio
Lerrac si sedette su una sedia vicino a un anziano contadino, e gli uscì dal cuore questa preghiera:
“Vergine Santa, soccorso dei disgraziati che ti implorano umilmente, salvami. Credo in te, che hai voluto rispondere ai miei dubbi con un grande miracolo. Non lo comprendo e ancora dubito, ma il mio grande desiderio e l’oggetto supremo di tutte le mie aspirazioni è ora credere, credere in modo appassionato e cieco senza discutere né criticare mai più...."
Lerrac ha avuto l’impressione che grazie alla mano della Vergine avesse raggiunto la certezza, e ha creduto perfino di sentire la sua dolcezza ammirevole e pacificatrice in un modo così profondo che, senza la minima inquietudine, ha allontanato la minaccia di un ritorno al dubbio
May 28, 2016
I had seen this book referenced multiple times (possibly by the same author) and was particularly interested in it as a primary source documentation of one patient's healing at Lourdes. The author was an agnostic (?) physician whose motivation in traveling to Lourdes was to once and for all expose the place for the sham he believed it to be.
His patient was literally on her death bed (or pallet) when she was carried to Lourdes. She felt her strength returning as the waters of Lourdes were sprinkled on her. The miracle continued to unfold over the course of some days and God healed her completely!
His patient was literally on her death bed (or pallet) when she was carried to Lourdes. She felt her strength returning as the waters of Lourdes were sprinkled on her. The miracle continued to unfold over the course of some days and God healed her completely!
October 28, 2015
Well written (good translation, too). There are many important points about science and belief, certainly valid today.
It's supposed to be a true story, but it's a novel and it's hard to know what in the account is true (and some of the details of the real event are said to be incorrect). Carrel didn't publish it in his lifetime, apparently knew it could ruin his reputation as a doctor. Was that the only reason? What really happened at Lourdes? I only wish weknew.
It's supposed to be a true story, but it's a novel and it's hard to know what in the account is true (and some of the details of the real event are said to be incorrect). Carrel didn't publish it in his lifetime, apparently knew it could ruin his reputation as a doctor. Was that the only reason? What really happened at Lourdes? I only wish weknew.
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