Nottingham Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2009

Lourdes is in south-west France in the Pyrenees and is a wonderful place to go.  I have just returned from 7 days organised by the Nottingham Diocese.  It was all very well organised – we flew from Nottingham East Midlands Airport to Tarbes – flying time only 1 hour 40 minutes – some pilgrims travelled  by coach.  There were 8 pilgrims from Spalding and 9 pilgrims from Holbeach.  This was my second visit to Lourdes; my last visit was 40 years ago.

It was in 1858 when Our Lady appeared before Bernadette and said:-

“Would you give me the favour of coming here for fifteen days?

I promise you to be happy, not in this world, but in the other.

Penance penance penance. Pray to God for the conversion of sinners.

Go drink at the fountain and you wash yourself there.

Go and tell the Priests to come here in procession and to build a Chapel.

I am The Immaculate Conception.”

These were the highlights for me:-

• It was inspirational seeing so many young people looking after and wheeling the sick and disabled pilgrims.
• Being at The Grotto either in the day time or evening.  A place of complete peace for private prayer. Bishop Malcolm said Mass at The Grotto.
• The Mass of anointing the sick on the forehead and palms of hands by Bishop Malcolm.
• The Torchlight Procession.
• All the Masses were joyous occasions with all the young people there.  The music group particularly made the Masses very moving.
• Immersion in the baths in the water of the Massabielle Spring.  The water is just as cold as 40 years ago.
• The Stations of the Cross with life size statues.
• Wonderful weather and good food at the hotel.



Diana Smith

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