World Notes FRANCE

For more than a century, Roman Catholics have flocked to the shrine at Lourdes to pray and bathe in the sacred waters of the grotto spring. Five million pilgrims are expected to visit this year, enriching the town by nearly $400 million. So many faithful are coming, in fact, that a holy-water shortage has developed. For the first time in its history, Lourdes is rationing the blessed potion.

Lourdes officials suggest that the shortage may even be a blessing in disguise. "It's a good opportunity to explain to people that you don't just come to Lourdes to drink the water or get dunked," said spokesman Loic Bondu. "What's important is the act and personal conversion. Faith isn't found in water alone." Nor, town officials might be praying, is tourism.