The essence of Lourdes

I have been to Lourdes, France, twice -- once as a pilgrim in 2001 and last year as a tourist. Susan Spano wrote such a fine article, which caught the essence of Lourdes [“Slice of Heaven,” Sept. 7] that I felt as though I were there again.

Spano didn’t miss a thing. She is right in saying that traveling as a pilgrim gives an insight that is not possible as a tourist. I imagine that is probably true in many other places.

Thank you for the article. Spano always captures more than the obvious.

Marge Lauerman

Burbank

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Loved the article on Lourdes and wanted to let you know there is a Lourdes of the West right here in Altadena, at Lake Avenue and New York Drive.

It is a beautiful grotto with a statue of the Virgin Mary and is well visited and used by the parish of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

A real slice of heaven for me, and it is local.

Tom Joyce

Pasadena