Car Park or Catholic Art: Thoughts on Lourdes' Most Controversial Basilica

Today we got to experience many of pilgrimage sites in Lourdes including the Basilica of St. Pius X. Since it's consecration in 1958, this unconventional basilica designed by French architect, Pierre Vago, has drawn criticism from a myriad of tourists journeying to Lourdes. Despite its functionality to efficiently accommodate up to 25,000 faithful, the basilica has had complaints range from its poor acoustics, gloomy and uninviting appearance, and its lack of natural light. In the following report,  we offer up our own Pilgrim's perspective on the basilica.
Peter: My first impression of St. Pius' basilica was subtle to say the least.  I will be completely honest: I had no clue I had entered a structure at all, much less a place of worship.  My group and I were hurrying to catch a screening of the Bernadette film, and it was only after a few minutes of being inside did I realize I was in one of the largest structures of worship I had ever entered, and not some underground transit tunnel with a Catholic orientation.  As you can see from the adept photography of my companions, the basilica is an immense, cavern-like structure, that indeed left me wondering first where I should park my car and then where I should sit to worship the Lord.  Despite the at first offsetting appearance of St. Pius, it is not without it's good points.  I actually enjoyed what the huge space did to the acoustics, as it provided the worship band with a truly ethereal edge.  I also was surprised to find a small chapel to Saint Therese almost buried in a back wall.  The chapel's simplicity did much to compliment the simple little way of this great saint.All in all, St Pius X Basilica is not with out its merits, but it might leave you wishing for something less...subterranean.
Eric: With all that occurs in Lourdes, it is very easy to overlook this somewhat offputting underground Basilica. However, with scrutinization and closer examination, the Basilica of St. Pius X appeared to me as an intriguing and somewhat accommodating work of simplicity. The criticism received, however, tells a different story. Where some tourists see unappealing concrete beams, I see a traditonal,  humble, structured area of worship. Where tourists complain about the lack of natural light, I enjoy the peaceful ambience the low lights provided. During the Eucharistic Adoration, the seclusion from worldly distractions because of its underground setting allowed for a calm and focused environment for prayer. While the basilica did have its drawbacks, such as often muddled acoustics and the occasional unfortunate seating arrangement, in my personal reporter's opinion, this is a sight in Lourdes one shouldn't pass up.