Despite having had our social evening for the whole pilgrimage last night, all of our volunteers were present and correct and ready for duty this morning on this the hottest day of our pilgrimage so far. Temperatures reached a scorching 29 degrees this afternoon but there wasn’t many complaints as our pilgrims enjoyed the sunny weather for our last full day here in Lourdes as a pilgrimage family.
A beautiful day in Lourdes
Our programme for the day began with the service of Reconciliation in which all members of the clergy are available to hear confession for our pilgrims and volunteers. Once again our musicians and choir provided a beautiful ambience as pilgrims took part in the service. Many pilgrims find this a very emotional moment in their pilgrimage and a good opportunity to offload any worries or concerns that they have carried with them here to Lourdes.
This afternoon was our Closing Mass. As Bishop John remarked in his opening to the Mass, it seems only yesterday that we gathered in Salford Cathedral for our pre-departure Mass and here we were 10 days later at the twilight of our pilgrimage and preparing for home. For the only time this week we gathered in the stunning Rosary Basilica which provided a beautiful setting to celebrate our wonderful time together here in Lourdes.
Bishop John during the Closing Mass
During his homily Bishop John referred to Pope Francis’ analogy of the church as a ‘field hospital after a battle’ and he continued that perhaps Lourdes is ‘Our Lady’s field hospital after a battle’. We come here together and help to heal each other’s wounds, to work out our priorities and to support each other through our time here. We can be certain that Our Lady will hear our petitions, will pray for us and will help us in our times of need, just as the healing waters of the spring heal those in pain.
The end of Mass saw the presentation of service awards for volunteers from our pilgrimage who have completed 3, 5, 10 and in two cases, 25 years service! An amazing commitment and our gratitude and congratulations goes to those who received awards
Thank you really doesn’t seem enough to say to our President of the Salford Hospitalité, Brian Hampshire, who after 52 amazing years of dedication and hard work to the organisation has decided to step down as President. Already a holder of the Bene Morreti medal bestowed upon those who provide great service to the church by the Holy Father, Brain was presented with gifts and a standing ovation by all those in attendance. Brain has his own song in which the lyrics to the chorus of the famous Proclaimers song ‘500 Miles’ are replaced with ‘ Brian Hampshire, Brian Hampshire, Brian Hampshire. . . . ‘ and we’re sure those lyrics will echo around the streets of Lourdes tonight.
Presentation to Brian Hampshire, retiring as President of the Salford Hospitalité
And so with heavy hearts we prepare to leave this special place. We thank Our Lady for her blessings bestowed on us this week. We thank our pilgrims and volunteers for all that they give so freely to our pilgrimage and we look forward to gathering here again in Lourdes next Summer.
Pilgrims on our first flight of the day have drawn the short straw with a 6.30am pick up from their hotels, but shortly after this two other flights will take our pilgrims home to sunny Manchester.
This evening we will officially end our pilgrimage in a very fitting way as we lead the nightly Marian Torchlight Procession and our volunteers proudly carry the statue of the ‘Beautfiul Lady’ through the Sanctuary as we sing ‘Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!’
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Stay with us, Lord, on our journey.
