Lourdes Pilgrimage News

Friday, 06 August 2010

Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage
to Lourdes 2010



Read here about 
our recent pilgrimage

Thursday 29th July - Preparation Day 

 

Bishop Terence Brain will be joined by Fr Anthony Kay VG [Director of the Pilgrimage] and priests and people from around the diocese on this year's Pilgrimage to Lourdes, the seventy-eighth Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Some of our pilgrims set off this morning very early by coach and are spending the day travelling through England to the south coast to get the ferry across to France.  Some are then continuing the journey through the night to arrive in Lourdes tomorrow morning, others are stopping off south of Paris for an overnight bed and breakfast before continuing their journey tomorrow. The rest of us will be gathering at Manchester Airport tomorrow for flight at either 8.00am or 3.00pm.  By tomorrow evening all 650 pilgrims should have arrived safely in Lourdes to be ready to begin our pilgrimage on Saturday morning.

The fundamental idea at the heart of a pilgrimage is that we are all sick and in some kind of need. It is true that we focus on caring for sick and disabled pilgrims who would otherwise not be able to undergo the journey for various reasons. However we realise that we are all making our way forward towards God as one family – the physically sick, people with disabilities and the able bodied, under God’s guidance, care and inspiration. Lourdes provides us all with a special insight into the peace and acceptance of the sick, especially those with a serious illness. Hopelessness and despair is replaced by inner peace and acceptance of illness. This is very much due to the spirit of Lourdes and the sharing of experiences.

Each year there is a Pastoral Theme for the Pilgrimage which is decided by the Sanctuary at Lourdes and the theme for 2010 is ‘With Bernadette, let us make the Sign of the Cross’. ‘From baptism to burial, the life of all those who are baptised takes place under the sign of the cross. Expressing our relationship with God, this sign marks our entry into life as a Christian, our lifelong pilgrimage with Christ and the end of our earthly journey’. We will explore this theme throughout our time in Lourdes in our Liturgies; Anointing of the Sick, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Hour, visiting the Grotto, the Baths and taking part in the Blessed Sacrament and Marian Torchlight processions. Although there is a full programme planned for the week there are also opportunities for quiet time and prayerful reflection.  

Friday 30th July - Departure Day

Many of our pilgrims had been preparing for many months and finally the day of departure, for the majority of pilgrims, came at last.  There were two full charter flights from  Manchester airport to Lourdes as well as a large number of pilgrims booked on a scheduled flight as well.  The first set of pilgrims, including all the sick and elderly pilgrims along with the doctors and nurses, The Bishop and the Pilgrimage Director, and a group of young people arrived bleary-eyed, but excited, at Manchester airport about 5.00am on Friday morning to begin the check in process and the loading of the aircraft.  Miraculously, the first miracle of the week, the plane was all loaded by 7.30am and we set off at 8.15am, only fifteen minutes later than schedule.  The plane, thanks to a tail wind, arrived for the first time in living memory, twenty minutes early in Lourdes airport.  This smooth journey set everyone in a good mood and bodes well for a good week together.  The plane then returned to Manchester for the second group who flew out, only a few minutes late as well, at 3.15pm.

The afternoon and evening were spent settling into hotels and for exploring the Shrine of Lourdes.  For many who had returned after previous visits it was like coming home, as if we had never been away, and those pilgrims immediately went about visiting their favourite places: a visit to the Domaine and the Grotto were first on the agenda for most.  For others, for whom this was a first visit the afternoon there was a lot to take in, but most of the pilgrims took it in their stride and spent the afternoon exploring this wonderful place.

For many of our sick pilgrims today was a long day but they are all in great spirits and delighted to be able to be here with us.  They, with the help of the doctors and nurses and army of young volunteers are settled in the Accueil Marie St Frai and very much looking forward to the week ahead.

The weather today is beautiful, not too hot, and ideal for spending some quiet time at the Grotto reflecting on the journey and reflecting on the week ahead that we have together in this special place.  We have had a quiet day today with no organised events or liturgies but just time to settle in and be here in Lourdes.  Tomorrow we begin our pilgrimage with introductions in the morning and the Opening Mass in the afternoon and walking in the Torchlight Marian Procession in the evening.

 

Saturday 31st July

9.00am Introduction for Young Volunteers
10.30am Introduction for Hotel Pilgrims
2.00pm Opening Mass of the Pilgrimage
9.00pm Torchlight Marian Procession 

Introductory Meetings

This morning all the young people gathered for a meeting together and Fr Anthony and some of the pilgrimage co-ordiantors spent a little time introducing them to the story of Lourdes and to the theme of this year's pilgrimage.  After this short introduction the young people gathered for some training as well as taking the opportunity to have a walking tour around some of the might sights of the town of Lourdes.

Later in the morning a large group of hotel pilgrims gathered together for an introduction to the Pilgrimage and to the theme of our pilgrimage this year: "With Bernadette, let us make the sign of the Cross".

Fr Paul Daly, Chaplain to the Medical and Nursing Team, reflects on the Torchlight Marian Procession:

Mary told Bernadette to ask the people to come in procession. This evening the Bishop, priests and people once again fulfilled Mary’s request. Together with several thousand others from throughout the world, we gathered as the sun was setting on another hot day. Many thousands of candles were lit as at 9pm the Rosary began. 

It was Pope Paul VI who described the Rosary as the great 'Gospel Prayer'. As we prayed the Our Father in Latin, ten Hail Mary’s in many different languages and sang the Glory Be, we reflected on different episodes in the early life of Jesus, from the Annunciation of his conception to his finding in the Temple. Particularly moving was the group from Lebanon leading the Hail Mary in Arabic, 'salam aleikham, Mariam' words and sounds practically identical to those Aramaic words with which the angel greeted Mary.

As we sang and prayed the Rosary we walked our common journey, from our Diocese of Salford and from across the world, as the pilgrim people of God on our way to the Kingdom of God. We walked and prayed not just for ourselves but for each one of you who reads this blog. We walked for all those unable to come to Lourdes this year; for those whose generosity has made our pilgrimage possible; for those whose prayers and petitions we have brought with us. And, as a pilgrim people, we helped those who found it difficult to walk alone, those for whom, disability, illness or old age meant a helping hand was needed, for none of us journeys to the Kingdom as a solo traveller - we go as a gang, as a community, helping each other along the way.

Nor do we walk in the dark. Many thousands of candles dispelled the darkness of the night and lightened our steps. It is the light of Christ that will guide our steps not just in these days but when we come home. Its that light, shining on the face of Mary and reflected on the face of Bernadette, the light of Christ, that, as God`s gift we bring to others.

Sunday 1st August

9.00am Sunday Mass
12.00pm Picnic Lunch and Prayer Service for Young People
5.00pm Blessed Sacrament Procession
8.00pm Social Evening for Accueil Pilgrims

"What a difference a day makes, twenty four little hours..." No, not crooning in the Hotel Astoria, just thinking about the way the weather here is so unpredictable. Yesterday was glorious sunshine, and this morning we woke to the pitted patter of rain and the hilltops shrouded in low clouds. But that's the Pyrenees for you... Oh, and the traffic is all going the other way round too, Lourdes changing it's one way system on the first of each month... What a difference a day makes ...

Having said that, Lourdes is still Lourdes! And the Salford pilgrimage continues. This morning we braved the rains for our Sunday morning Mass in the very modern church of Saint Bernadette on the far side of the river, looking across to the Grotto. As usual, the great crowd of pilgrims gathered and filled the space. Our preacher today was Fr Joe Sweeney, from Saint Patrick's, Rochdale. He entertained us with a question he'd been asked in Lourdes: since he started seminary with our Bishop, and was ordained priest on the same day as him, why was he still a priest?! He had a serious point to make, telling us all about memories of Cardinal Newman from Oscott College, looking forward to the beatification in September. He reminded us of John Henry Newman's writings, especially "The Dream of Gerontius", which describes a faithful man's happy death, so unlike the story presented by the Lord in the Gospel today, of the greedy man who was only concerned with filling his barns with the goods of this earth. Fr Joe ended his sermon with a reminder that Newman became a Cardinal very late in his life, without ever becoming a bishop - so there was hope for him yet!

We have with us on pilgrimage a Children and Families Group which started about 3 years ago with just a few families and each year since has grown in number.  It is good to see that this year we have with us a large group of families with young children and that the children make such a contribution to the life of the pilgrimage. This morning, as at each Mass, they made a contribution to the music and liturgy with their own kind of musical "accompaniment" to the hymns of the Mass.  It is a joy to see such families with their children so much at the heart of our diocesan pilgrimage.

The end of Mass saw the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton creeping into the church to keep out of the rain, so we had to make a sharp exit (the lengths we're going to to keep Fr Anthony's notices brief!).  It was then back to town to get ready for lunch and our young people for their own service and time with the bishop.

The Young people made their way up the hill behind the town to the City St Pierre for a picnic lunch and a liturgy with the bishop. The young people give so much of themselves during the week and are so busy that it is good for them just to have a little time for themselves.  

A good lunch was enjoyed by all and then time was spent chatting, laughing and playing games on each other.  It is a joy to see so many young people simply enjoying each others company and chatting and mixing quite naturally. The young people also mix and chat quite naturally with the bishop and the priests and this time together is appreciated by everyone.

After lunch everyone moved inside for a time of prayer and reflection together with the bishop.  Fr Kieren introduced the service and the theme and the Bishop had the opportunity to speak directly to the young people.  The music and liturgy was led by some of the young people themselves and Roisin Murden, the co-ordinator for young people on the pilgrimage.

At 5.00pm each evening the Blessed Sacrament Procession takes place in Lourdes.  Traditionally we have taken part in the Blessed Sacrament Procession as a Diocese on the Sunday afternoon of our Pilgrimage.  Today Bishop Terence and our Diocesan Pilgrimage were asked to lead the procession, with some of our young people carrying banners and thuribles and incense bowls and Bishop Terence carrying the Blessed Sacrament flanked by Canon Tony McBride and Fr Anthony Sudlow.

The Blessed Sacrament Procession is a very moving occasion and this afternoon there were a large number of pilgrims taking part from all parts of the world.  The Procession starts at the Podium opposite the Grotto and makes its way across the bridge and round the Domaine and into the Underground Basilica.  Once the Procession is there time is spent in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament before the blessing of the Sick and Benediction for all pilgrims.  

This evening a group of the Helpers and Young people put on an evening of entertainment in the Hotel Solitude.  Dr Kieren Moriarty was persuaded to take his traditional slot and sing some of the old songs and Sarah Taylor, one of our young group leaders, gave us beautiful renditions of two more contemporary songs after which pilgrims enjoyed a few games of bingo and each others company.  There was a lovely atmosphere and it is always a joy to see the young people mixing in a social setting with our older and sick pilgrims.  

Over the last number of years we have had a number of senior helpers and volunteers who have met someone in Lourdes and ended up getting married.  Over the last few years we have had a lot of weddings of couples who have met on the Lourdes pilgrimage and this year we have lots of families with us of parents who have met in Lourdes.  This evening Dominic Kenny proposed to Kathryn Thompson opposite the Grotto and the wonderful news was announced at our Social Evening.  Dominic and Kathryn met on the pilgrimage a few years ago and everyone is absolutely delighted with the news.  Dominic has just graduated in Theology and will begin his teaching in September and Kathryn is a Police Officer. Congratulations to both of them is offered by us all.

 

Monday 2nd August

9.45 Mass at the Podium (opposite the Grotto)
with the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
1.30pm Visit to the Baths for Accueil Pilgrims
5.00pm Holy Hour for Priests with the Bishop

Again this morning we woke to the low cloud that can hang over Lourdes and a light drizzle but from early morning there was great hope that the drizzle wouldn't last too long and it proved to be right.  At 9.45am we gathered at the Podium which is a large altar and gathering space directly opposite the Grotto for a celebration of the Mass.  We gathered together with the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton.  Bishop Seamus Cunningham of Hexham and Newcastle presided at the Mass, our own Bishop Terence Brain preached the Homily, Bishop Kieren Conry of Arundel and Brighton concelebrated and the musicians and choirs of the three dioceses joined together to lead the music lead by the choir director of the A&B diocese. 

The afternoon today has been left rather free and pilgrims are taking the opportunity to visit the Baths, to explore the Sanctuary, to spend some quiet time alone or out on an excursion to one of the nearby places to visit.  The Sick pilgrims that travel with us and stay in the Accueil Marie St Frai are given the opportunity of making a visit to the Baths.

Mary told Bernadette that pilgrims should come and wash in the waters flowing from the spring in the Grotto and still, in their millions they come. Many take a drink of the waters from the taps provided and take some home. One former pilgrim and lover of Lourdes, now gone to God, added a little to her brandy every evening! Very many pilgrims choose to bathe in the waters: today it was the turn of the Salford pilgrims.

While a band of musicians and a cohort of clergy from Salford and Arundel and Brighton led the Rosary in many different languages, our pilgrims, young and old, those able and those on need of assistance, one by one entered the waters, entrusted their cares to the Lord through his mother and came out of those chilly waters refreshed and renewed.

It is all done with great sensitivity, dignity and privacy. But as we waited my turn in the little curtained-off area with a few others, one notices that here there are no longer any distinctions or differences to set us apart; awaiting our turn there is no national dress or uniform or clerical collar or designer label or even a Salford Diocesan badge to mark us out - only our common humanity awaiting our turn. That must have been how it was for Jesus on Jordan's banks awaiting his baptism as one of the crowd, one with us.

And with all the frailty of our human existence we come before the Lord, as Bernadette came at the call of his mother, and bathing in those cold waters which take our breathe away, we are filled anew with the Breathe of God that cleanses and renews. 

The visit to the Baths was followed by Afternoon Tea at the Hotel Gallia et Londres where the sick pilgrims enjoyed some time in the presence of the young volunteers and the children and families group.  The company and the chat, along with a few games of bingo and a few songs, were enjoyed by everyone.

At 5.00pm the priests here on pilgrimage gathered for some quiet time together in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Evening Prayer with the Bishop in the Chapel of the Accueil Marie St Frai.  The small chapel in the Accueil, the place of welcome in which our sick pilgrims stay, is a most beautiful simple little chapel, often undiscovered by the majority of pilgrims here in Lourdes.  The priests sang Evening Prayer together and because of the amazing echo in the chapel the singing sounded wonderful and as if there was a group of a hundred priests singing together.  It is always good to get together in prayer with our bishop and we prayed for all the pilgrims and for all our priests and people back home in the Diocese of Salford.

After Evening Prayer the Bishop and the Priests took the opportunity to have dinner together.  As most of the priests travel out to Lourdes with their own parish and deanery groups and stay in different hotels it was good to have the opportunity to come together for a meal.  Priests often live on their own these days and it is good to be able to get together now and then and share a meal and whenever priests get together in each company great fun and chat is had by all.  This year we have in Lourdes with us three seminarians, Christopher, Michael and Alf and it was a joy to have them with us for the time of prayer and the meal. 

We also had the privilege of having with us Canon Kevin O'Connor who, for about twenty seven years up until the year 2000, was the Director of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.  Canon O'Connor today celebrated his eightieth birthday and being a great man of Lourdes and a great supporter of the Diocesan Pilgrimage over so many years it was fitting that he could be in Lourdes for this great milestone in his life.  Canon Tony McBride, who succeeded him as Director of the Pilgrimage, proposed a toast to Canon O'Connor and paid tribute to him and his life as a priest and we all responded by singing "Ad Multos Annos" after which Canon O'Connor responded graciously with a few words. We wish Canon O'Connor continued health as he continues to serve the people of St Margaret Mary's, New Moston, as their parish priest.

Tuesday 3rd August

8.30am Mass with Anointing of the Sick
9.45am Pilgrimage Photograph
1.30pm Passage through the Grotto for Accueil Pilgrims
 

Before leaving the Diocese for Lourdes many of us had looked on the weather reports and for a few days before travelling the weather reports had predicted that Sunday and Monday would be wet and that turned out to be the case. But the reports had also forecast that Tuesday onwards would be good weather. So it was with much relief and joy to see on waking up the signs that the weather had turned. There was an early morning mist but you could see behind the mist that the sun was breaking through.

Described as "the heart of our pilgrimage", today we celebrated the Mass of the Anointing of the Sick. It was an early start but the pilgrimage gathered as always, ready to enter into another of our great celebrations.

The sick and all who were to be anointed took their special places, and we began with the hymn "When I survey the Wondrous Cross", a link to this year's theme, and a message picked up by Fr Francis Wadsworth in his powerful and moving homily, which talked about the love of Christ revealed in the cross, a love that we share in through this great sacrament. Then came the moment of anointing, always one of the most moving in the pilgrimage. The nurses and doctors held hands around the sick, and the young people formed a wonderful band of blue to surround all of us as our brothers and sisters were anointed with holy oil.

As we ended our Mass there was another Diocese waiting to get into the Church of Saint Bernadette - a huge group of pilgrims from the French town of Albi, whose helpers were sporting a particularly distinctive uniform of black dresses and white pinafores - complete with white berets! Is it time for a change for Salford? Hmmmm ....

Today was a fairly quiet day after that, with time for excursions and a chance for people to take advantage of the better weather. Shopping was obviously a major excision for some of clergy, with many being seen scuttling back to their hotels clutching bags from various ecclesiastical suppliers. What.s going to appear in your church next week, we wonder?  

Wednesday 4th August

9.30am International Mass
10.00am Mass for Accueil Pilgrims
10.00am Mass for Children and Families Group
2.00pm Service of Reconciliation
8.00pm Prayer Vigil 

It is hard to believe it is Wednesday already, many of our pilgrims have been saying today.  Last Friday it felt as if we had so much time ahead of us to do so many things and here we are only a couple of days to go before the end of our pilgrimage.  But what a great day we have had today.  This morning there different opportunities for the celebration of Mass. The Main Mass of the day was the International Mass that takes place here in Lourdes every Wednesday and Sunday.  Pilgrims from all over the world gather together in the Underground Basilica of St Pius X for the International Mass.  For many pilgrims this is one of the highlights of the week because here at this Mass you can visibly see the Church: many peoples from many countries speaking many languages all gathered together as one around the altar of the Lord.  Today Cardinal Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of the Peoples, celebrated the Mass and welcomed everyone warmly at the beginning of the Mass in Italian, English, French and Spanish. 

Some of the Accueil pilgrims who didn’t want to go to the International Mass had the opportunity to go to a quiet Mass celebrated with the two Chaplains to the Sick, Fathers Michael Buckley and Francis Wadsworth.  Also this morning the Children and Families Group had the celebration of Mass at the Cathedral of the Trees at the Cité St Pierre.  From all accounts that was a very joyful celebration and it was good to see the children and their families taking such an active part in the liturgy.  About three years ago two of our Senior Helpers who had come on the pilgrimage for many years had the idea of brining sick children to Lourdes with their families and also of gathering together during the week all the families that come on the Diocesan Pilgrimage.  That was three years ago and now the Children and Families Group has grown from strength to strength so much so now that the group has about one hundred pilgrims, mums and dads, family members and lots of little children.  Seeing them together is such a wonderful sight and their presence among us has brought much joy to our pilgrimage and great hope for the future.

Yesterday we celebrated Mass with the Anointing of the Sick, and this afternoon was a celebration that is, in a sense, the twin of anointing - the other sacrament of healing, Reconciliation or Confession. It is always a very moving occasion, because it is such a personal, deep and sometimes challenging thing to look into our lives with honesty and seek God's forgiveness.

We gathered in Saint Bernadette's church, which is becoming something of a home from home. Our Vicar General, Father Anthony, was presiding at our service today (which led some of us to wonder how he would manage to give out notices at the end as well! Needless to say he managed...!), and Father Simon Stamp, the Bishop's Secretary, preached a very powerful homily and examination of conscience. In it, he reminded us that today is the feast of Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, who would frequently spend up to fourteen hours a day in the confessional in Ars (at which point some of our clergy shuffled a little uncomfortably!)

Next came the time of confessions, when each person had the chance to go to one of our priests. This was a remarkable and wonderful time. One thing that has to be mentioned is the wonderful, prayerful attentiveness of our young people - who stayed focused and prayerful for well over an hour as the confessions continued and we all joined in praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. There's a lot of negative stuff talked about young people today (as probably in every age), so it's well worth putting on record the fantastic way in which our Salford young people join in with our celebrations.

This Evening, on the Feast of St John Mary Vianney, Patron Saint of all priests, we had Vigil of Prayer from 8.00pm until 11.30pm.  We have had this time of prayer on our pilgrimage for the last three years and it has been very well received by all the pilgrims.  This evening there has been a wonderful atmosphere of quiet prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with readings from the Scriptures, from the writings of John Henry Cardinal Newman, and songs every hour. Pilgrims, young and old, have been coming in and out of the chapel all evening and spending some part of the evening in quiet adoration.  It was very moving sitting at the back of the chapel and seeing sick and elderly pilgrims as well as young people together in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.  Most notable was the devotion that the young people showed in the way they entered the chapel, often genuflecting on both knees before the Blessed Sacrament and happily spending time on their own in quite prayer.  At 11.30pm a chapel full of pilgrims sang Night Prayer of the Church together before retiring after a long but very special day here in Lourdes.

Thursday 5th August

10.00am Stations of the Cross
2.00pm Closing Mass of the Pilgrimage

Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, our final full day in Lourdes arrives.  Nobody can quite believe that we are already coming towards the end of our pilgrimage, but here we are.  Traditionally on the last day we have Stations of the Cross in the morning and our Closing Mass in the afternoon.

This morning the Bishop led the Stations of the Cross on the Calvary Hill behind the Shrine and Fr Michael and Fr Francis, Chaplains to the Sick, led the Stations opposite the Grotto.  Both groups were well attended and everyone was able to take part despite the drizzle of rain on and off.

After Lunch we celebrated the Closing Mass of the Pilgrimage and, like our Opening Mass last Saturday, this was celebrated in the beautiful Rosary Basilica. Fr James, our Musical Director, and the musicians were on great form this afternoon and helped us join together in the celebrating a beautiful Mass for the closing of our pilgrimage.  Many people afterwards commented on what a moving and heart lifting celebration the Mass was this afternoon.

At the end of the Mass Fr Anthony took the opportunity to thank everyone for their presence on the pilgrimage, to thank those who had organised the pilgrimage and all those who had participated in any way.  He particularly thanked the Bishop for leading the Pilgrimage, the priests for being with us and supporting the Pilgrimage, the Sick Pilgrims, the Volunteer Helpers and the Young People.  After this those Volunteers who had offered three, five, ten received a medal for their service over the years.  Also Paddy Kerr and Sr Veronica were presented with Platinum Medals for Long Service to the Diocesan Pilgrimage.

After the Mass Bishop Terence processed with many of the Pilgrims to the Grotto and placed the Diocesan Candle at the Grotto alongside the many other candles from other dioceses that had been placed there over the last few days and weeks. Our Candle remains there as a sign of the prayers that we have said and the prayers that we leave here at the Shrine of Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes.

After the lighting of the Diocesan Candle the Senior Helpers of the Pilgrimage, i.e. the Doctors and the Nurses, the Team Leaders, the Group Leaders, the Pilgrimage Committee and all those who have a Senior Role whilst were are in Lourdes in helping to keep the Pilgrimage running smoothly for everyone gathered together in the Bar of the Gallia et Londres Hotel for a pre-dinner drink.  Fr Anthony and Patrick took the opportunity to thank them personally for all their hard work and commitment throughout the year in helping to prepare for the Pilgrimage and for all that they did during the week.  This year's Pilgrimage was one of the smoothest yet in terms of organisation beforehand and logistics during the week and that is down to, in no small way, to the countless number of Senior Helpers who are so committed to the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.  A debt of gratitude is due to them all for all that they do. 

 

Friday 6th August  

8.00am Mass for the Journey

This morning came round for many pilgrims far too quickly.  Some groups had an early Mass: the Sick pilgrims on the top floor of the Accueil St Frai; some of the hotel pilgrims in the Sacred Heart Chapel of the Accueil St Frai; other parish groups in different places. After breakfast groups then started the journey back home: coaches picked up those who were travelling by air and took them to the airport ready for planned departures at 12.20.  The first plane got off pretty much on time and the second plane was only delayed by a short time.  This, coupled with the fact that there were no delays on the way is a first, if not a miracle!  

Some pilgrims were then departing by coach today and others were spending a quiet day in Lourdes today and departing tomorrow overland by coach.

The feelings today from all our pilgrims were ones of gratitude for a wonderful week.  Everyone was expressing on the journey home and back in the arrivals hall at Manchester airport this afternoon what a wonderful week they had had.  The many sick pilgrims were truly grateful for the experience of going to Lourdes and were thankful for all that they had been helped to achieve during the week. The many young people that were with us had a fantastic week and really enjoyed the pilgrimage so much so that many are already planning to be with us again next year.

Over all, the Pilgrimage went extremely well and was appreciated by everyone who was a part of it.  Those of us who organise the Pilgrimage would like to thank all the 700 pilgrims who travelled with us this year.  We very much enjoyed organising the Pilgrimage and we very much enjoyed everything about the Pilgrimage and everyone who was part of it.  We might have a little time off now to recover, but not long, as the planning for Lourdes 2011 will begin in the next few weeks.  If you have been with us this year please try and join us again next year.  If you have not been with us then please think about it and encourage a small group of people from your parish to come with us.  Details of next year's pilgrimage will appear on the Diocesan Website as soon as they are available.  

Thanks for following us on this little blog.  I hope you have enjoyed sharing our Pilgrimage. 

Our Lady of Lourdes. Pray for us.

St Bernadette. Pray for us.