The day we have been waiting for has arrived and our 84th Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes is now underway.
The day begun with Mass for our advance party of volunteers at the Poor Clare's Convent, celebrated by Fr. Kieren Mullarkey who asked us in his homily to ensure that we find time this week to spend with God. That may sound like a strange request at first, considering we are here on pilgrimage, however as Fr. Kieren said, it is very easy to spend the whole week rushing around Lourdes from service to service or spending time with friends, without actually stopping for a moment just to sit quietly with a clear mind to allow God to speak to us.
A team of volunteers eager to begin their first shift.
Shortly after lunch we were delighted to welcome pilgrims who arrived on the first two flights from Manchester this morning. After an early start and a good flight they were happy to have arrived in Lourdes and to have swapped a rainy Manchester for a baking hot Lourdes!
The final flight of the day landed at around 4.45pm (local time) and as well as our hotel pilgrims, also on board were our Acceuil pilgrims who, as Bishop John reminds us, ‘are at the heart of our pilgrimage family’.
Our volunteers deserve huge credit today for their hard work. Pilgrims were welcomed with a smile, a friendly face and an efficient service which ensured a smooth transfer from the airport to their hotels in Lourdes. It is quite amazing to see the Salford family swing into action and today they did our Hospitalité and the blue shirts of Salford proud.
This evening our welcome Mass for hotel pilgrims was celebrated by Mgr. Canon Anthony Kay VG, in a packed Chapel Kolbe in the Domain. After a pleasant afternoon and some time to unpack and unwind, this was a nice way for our pilgrims to ease into our pilgrimage week and to give thanks to God and Our Lady for a safe journey to Lourdes.
Tomorrow we look forward to our passage through the Door of Mercy and and following that, the Opening Mass of our pilgrimage in this extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Stay with us, Lord, on our journey.
