by Jan Dixon
Special to The Leaven
BASEHOR — Dr. Michael Skoch of Holy Angels Parish here believes he has experienced one of the most peaceful places on earth.
Lourdes, a small town nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains of southwestern France, is one of the most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Known for the 1858 apparitions of the Virgin Mary to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous at the Massabielle Grotto, it has long been associated with healing and hope.
“The peacefulness of the sanctuary surpasses anything that has to do with the size or location of the community,” said Skoch, who recently spent Holy Week there serving with the Lourdes North American Volunteers program.
Service is nothing new to him. A family physician for more than 35 years, Skoch has also served as an ethics consultant for Catholic Community Health in the archdiocese. His recent trip marked his fourth time volunteering in Lourdes.
His work there is simple, yet deeply meaningful: being present to the needs of pilgrims, assisting those with limited mobility and responding to whatever situations arise throughout the day. Alongside these responsibilities, volunteers are also given time for personal prayer.
One of the most profound aspects of his service has been assisting in the private spring water baths.
“Quite similar to my career in a medical office, you quickly become privy to some very private moments,” he said. “In this case, spiritual moments.”
Among his most memorable experiences was assisting a pilgrim who had never been baptized and was carrying significant spiritual burdens. Unable to walk, the man was gently lowered into the bath on a stretcher. When he emerged from the water, he suddenly declared, “I have to be baptized.”
Soon after, the pilgrim was baptized at the sanctuary, marking a powerful moment of transformation that left a lasting impression on Skoch.
Many who journey to Lourdes arrive with great physical or spiritual needs, often relying entirely on the help of others. Witnessing their faith, determination and perseverance has deeply impacted him.
“I realize how weak my efforts have been at times,” Skoch said. “It’s a real sense of encouragement that I get from helping the people that we serve.”
The Lourdes North American Volunteers program is rooted in the example of St. Bernadette, with a mission to serve the sick, the suffering, and those most in need. Volunteers from all walks of life are invited to participate, assisting pilgrims in a variety of ways — from pushing wheelchairs to helping with meals or simply being present to those in need.
For Skoch, the work is both humbling and essential. He encourages others to consider serving, emphasizing that the only requirement is a willingness to help.
Each evening in Lourdes, thousands gather for the candlelight rosary procession.
“The visual and auditory experience of seeing 10,000 to 15,000 people processing and reciting the rosary in several different languages is a very moving experience,” he said.
As he looks to the future, Skoch plans to continue a lifetime of service, remaining open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He hopes to return once again to Lourdes, where his own faith has been both deepened and renewed.
In the shadow of the Pyrenees, amid candlelight and quiet prayer, Skoch encountered more than a place — he encountered a calling. And it is one he carries forward, wherever the next opportunity to serve may lead.
