What better way is there to begin a day in Lourdes than with Mass at the Grotto. This Mass is the highlight of our pilgrimage week. We are blessed to have the opportunity to celebrate in the special place in which the Blessed Virgin appeared to Bernadette. We shared our Mass this morning with the pilgrimage from the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle. Presiding was Bishop Terence who began by reminding us that whilst we are at the Mass we should remember to place our petitions with Our Lady and to pray for those who are not with us on pilgrimage but have asked us to pray for them during this week.
Our Grotto Mass this morning.
Just over two weeks ago Father Michael Deas was ordained Priest at Salford Cathedral and just over three weeks ago Rev. Mark Paver was ordained Deacon in Rome. We are delighted to have them both with us in Lourdes this week and Father Michael provided us with an excellent homily that focused on the Blessed Virgin, the Immaculate Conception and his ‘geeky’ understanding of the translation of the Gospel we heard today, from it’s Greek origin.
Bishop Brain during our Grotto Mass.
This afternoon was free time for our pilgrims and many chose to take part on one of our two planned excursions; one to the beautiful town of Gavarnie, and one to the relaxing setting of Lac du Lourdes, a picturesque lake in the Pyrenees.
This pilgrimage is a very special one for our Children & Families Group who are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year. They spent the afternoon at the waterpark on the outskirts of Lourdes which is an excellent facility and a huge hit for both children and parents!
Our CAF Group celebrate their 10th anniversary this year.
To end our programme for the day or young volunteers have been leading a night time reflection and liturgy on the Prairie which is a large grassed area across the river from the Grotto and a fantastic place to relax and to gaze across at the beautiful Grotto from.
We are delighted that Bishop John and Father Steven Parkinson have arrived safely here in Lourdes tonight after a long journey from World Youth Day in Krakow. Bishop John will preside for the remainder of our pilgrimage and will begin by celebrating our Mass of Mercy which takes place in the morning.
We hope that you are enjoying our blog thus far and it was wonderful to know that many of you joined in our Grotto Mass this morning from home via the Sanctuary’s YouTube channel. Rest assured that you are all in our prayers and thoughts here this week.
The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes stands in the exact spot
where the apparitions took place.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
