East Anglian pilgrims ‘process’ through Lourdes

More than 50 pilgrims from across East Anglia joined with 400 others for the Catholic Association annual pilgrimage to Lourdes from August 23 to 30. Pilgrimage director Dcn Huw Williams reports.

“Come in procession” is the pastoral invitation this year in Lourdes. It is said that in Bernadette’s dialect, the word for “procession” and the word for “pilgrimage” are the same.

The first pilgrims flight met at Stansted Airport for an early start at 5am and despite plan and ‘wasp’ delays we arrived safely, to be joined later by flight from Birmingham Airport.

As we were the first flight of this year’s pilgrimage, we were able to spend the afternoon in Lourdes: an opportunity for pilgrims to orientate themselves and settle in before the events programme began.  We were able to attend Mass at the Accueil Marie St Frai where some of our Assisted Pilgrims were staying, supported by the Catholic Association’s excellent health care team.

The next morning we all attended the Gathering Mass for the Pilgrimage celebrated by Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark – our first full gathering. This is a beautiful setting in St Bernadette’s Church over the river from the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette.

In the evening Sr Jane Livesey CJ gave a talk to a packed room entitled ‘Our Lady Invites us…’ and reminded us of what Mary said to the steward at the wedding in Cana: ‘Do whatever He tells you.’  We were reminded that we too are called to do whatever He tells us. 

The International Mass on Sunday 25th in the underground Basilica of St Pius X was filled with 25,000 pilgrims providing a spectacular display of the Universal Church. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop John Wilson. Pilgrims from the Catholic Association Pilgrimage were invited to read and present intercessions at the Mass.  The International Mass is a great celebration of the many cultures and pilgrimages that come to Lourdes each year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evs-ryfwM1E

For those who were unable to attend the larger Mass, a smaller one was celebrated by the Chaplain of the CA Hospitalité and to the Assisted Pilgrims, Fr Nicholas King, SJ.

On Sunday afternoon we had opportunity to go on the MacGill Mystery Tour showing places of significance to St Bernadette around Lourdes.  Later that day we participated in the Blessed Sacrament Procession which took place entirely in the underground basilica due to a weather warning for thunderstorms.

In the evening The Catholic Association Hospitalité welcomed new prayer members – an integral part of the Hospitalité who have an important role to pray for all members and the success of the Pilgrimage’s mission to spread the message of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Monday was a busy day.  The Pilgrimage Photograph in the morning on the steps of the Rosary Basilica, as is customary, was followed by Mass at St Bernadette’s Church before lunch at our hotels.  A penitential service followed after lunch providing the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from the priests and Bishops present while the musicians provided a background of reflective hymns. 

A talk was given by Archbishop John Wilson reflecting on the Synod of Bishops – which he thought should be called the Synod of the People of God.  That evening our pilgrimage group was leading in the torchlight procession – always an inspiration to visitors to Lourdes.

Tuesday had a different format from previous years.  We did not have separate diocesan Masses but headed for the beautiful Cathedral of the Trees, in the Cité St Piere just above the town of Lourdes, for Mass as a whole pilgrimage group.  The main celebrant at the Mass was our own Bishop Peter Collins.

The afternoon was left free to allow people to explore Lourdes or to go on a visit to Gavarnie known for the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Gavarnie Falls, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On Tuesday evening, the Youth Service took place, led by Fr James Cassidy (Diocese of Northampton). The theme of the service was ‘God works through hands of our young people’. Many thanks to the Music Group for being part of this service.

The Pilgrimage has always relied on our youth – many volunteers have started as youth – do you know someone that might be interested in joining us in 2025?

Mass at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadettte was on Wednesday morning, after which we had a photograph of the East Anglian Pilgrims.  Bishop Peter then blessed a candle for the East Anglian Pilgrimage which was taken to the Chapelles de Lumière where further prayers were offered

Bishop Peter hosted a Lunch to thank the nurses from East Anglia who had volunteered to help support the Assisted Pilgrims on pilgrimage. They give their time generously in the service of those in need.

Stations of the Cross took place in the afternoon with the High Stations available and an alternative service at St Bernadette’s Church for those not attending the High Stations.

The third of the series of talks was a panel discussion rather than a talk with the opportunity for members of the audience to participate.  Panellists gave the stories of their journeys in faith and of how they maintain their faith in a challenging world, after which the audience were invited to make comments about their own experiences.  Sr Veronica, one of the panellists, revealed that it was the 25^th anniversary of her profession that very day.

In the evening there was a social for East Anglian and Catholic Association Pilgrims at the Hotel Eliseo – a chance to meet and chat over a drink with other pilgrims and Bishop Peter gave a blessing for any religious items that were brought along.

Thursday arrived, the last full day of our pilgrimage. Time had flown by. We began by visiting he baths where we took part in the immensely moving ‘Water Gesture’ repeating the actions of St Bernadette when, at the instructions of Our Lady, she found the spring in the Grotto.  After this there was a service of Anointing of the Sick in the morning during which it poured down with rain and, thankfully, the worst of the downpour had passed by the time we were on our way to lunch.

The joyful Thanksgiving Mass, the final gathering for the whole pilgrimage, was led by the Glanfield Children’s Group and closed with the song ‘Rise and Shine’ led and signed by the children.  This Mass was described by Fr Peter Wygnanski as one in which ‘anything can happen’   and in his homily we were reminded that with God there is so much more.

Friday was the day of departure.  The flight for Stansted left later in the day and so East Anglians were able to spend the morning in Lourdes.  Mass was available at St Joseph’s Chapel in the Sanctuary and Bishop Peter celebrated Mass in the Accueil Marie St Frai for assisted Pilgrims and helpers also waiting for the later flight.

Everything ran smoothly for our return home and we arrived back at Stansted with no delays. Deo gratias.

Next years’ pilgrimage to Lourdes will be from August 22 to 29.  Put it in your diaries and do join us, if you can, in answer Our Lady’s call to ‘come in procession.’

More pictures, stories, and reflections available from:

https://cliftondiocese.com/pilgrimage/lourdes/

https://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/virtual-pilgrimage

Pictured top is the Diocese of East Anglia pilgrim group, in the middle Dcn Huw Williams and Dcn John Morrill with the Lourdes candle and, below, the nurses thank-you dinner hosted by Bishop Peter Collins.

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