Saturday, September 4, 1999

In the evening between the Rosary and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the clouds began to darken with dark clouds that began to roll in.  In the left hand side of the photo you can actually see the rain begin to fall in the distance.

Just before the Divine Liturgy was scheduled to begin, the torrential downpour began.  Anyone that didn't quickly take shelter was completely soaked.  This picture, taken from behind the altar of the Lourdes Grotto, shows the heavy rainfall.

During the storm, the Shrine Altar, like the Lourdes Grotto, became a shelter for rain dodging pilgrims.