"Hello, my name is Bernadette, I'm from Belfast" , "Oh, hello, I'm Mary and I live in Norwich", two pilgrims quietly strolling along the river bank in the shade of the trees in the Domain, the very heart of all that that small French town, Lourdes, at the foot of the Pyrenees, represents worldwide.
Pilgrims from the diocese of East Anglia, Northampton, Clifton, Southwark, Portsmouth and masters and pupils from Stonyhurst College gather once a year, usually towards the end of August, in Lourdes to honour Our Blessed Lord and His Holy Mother Mary - the Immaculate Conception - who appeared to Bernadette, a simple peasant girl in 1859.
A programme of spiritual exercises is undertaken during the five days spent in Lourdes and despite the hustle and bustle, Our Lady seems to touch us all in some way or other and pilgrims return home with some special moments to treasure - whther it is a quiet moment of prayer at the Grotto, the great gathering for the International Mass where pilgrims gather from every corner of the earth, the blessing of the sick, the huge torchlight procession or to travel to Bartres for Mass celebrated in the village church where St. Bernadette worshipped as a child- treasured moments which wipe out any inconveniences experienced in travelling the pilgrim road.
Although for most pilgrims nowadays accommodation is in large comfortable hotels -even the Acceuil, or hospital, where sick pilgrims stay, is modern and cheerful - we are all pilgrims and as such offer our problems to Our Blessed Lady in penance and thanksgiving.
For more information concerning the Catholic Association Lourdes Pilgrimage contact the Diocesan director: Rev Andrew Neate, contact details available from the parish office -Tel: 01733 562528
| Visit the official website at www.lourdes-france.org |
Michael Elmore