This year the Shrine celebrates the 150th Anniversary of Our Lady appearing to young Bernadette Soubirous in the Grotto at Massabielle. In answer to the teenager’s question: ‘Who are you?’ the Lady answered: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception’. This took place on the Feast of the Annunciation, the 25th March, in the Year 1858 during the sixteenth apparition.
Ever since then, millions of pilgrims have made the journey to the ‘Little Town of Lourdes’ to be in that place touched by the feet of Mary who is ‘full of Grace’. Why? So that we may be close to her, who carried God’s Love for each one of us, and in so doing, draw closer to her Son.
From earliest times, pilgrimages involved a great deal of careful preparation and many sacrifices. Our pilgrimage is never any different! Throughout the year numerous people work tirelessly to raise funds and make sure everything is in order for us to travel to Lourdes in safety as a diocesan family. Across the diocese, there is an air of great excitement and anticipation to be part of this Jubilee Year.
With direct bookings, including those who affiliate, we shall number over 1,800 pilgrims. Other groups and individuals, who have made their own arrangements, may well take our numbers from the diocese to more than 2,000!
For the 100th Anniversary in 1958, 1,800 pilgrims travelled in a caravan of 3 trains from Birmingham. Some of those pilgrims will be with us this year too: Tony and Marie Flanagan, John Baron, Denis Hughes, Freda Davis, Molly and Jo Barnacle, to mention but a few!
Organising such an exodus is a logistical nightmare especially with increased numbers of pilgrims from all over the world wanting to be in Lourdes for the Jubilee. Our pilgrimage overlaps with the International Military Pilgrimage who celebrate their 50th anniversary. Hotels and beds are over subscribed and finding ‘a room in any Inn’ has tested the expertise and patience of Tony Flanagan and Trish Brookes in our pilgrimage office. For many pilgrims this year, choices are limited and sometimes changed. The understanding and co-operation received makes for a greater sense of pilgrimage and of journeying together.
In addition to parish groups, we will be supported by almost 300 teenagers drawn from 10 of our Secondary Schools, Soli House, Alton Castle, and our Diocesan Services for the Youth and Young Adults. Spiritually, we are under the leadership of Archbishop Vincent, Bishops Philip and David, and some 40 ‘odd’ priests. Our physical well being is the responsibility of a team of 13 doctors and almost 30 nurses who will care for Sick Pilgrims in the Accuiel Notre Dame and numerous Hotels.
The huge amount of preparation from across the diocese and in all sections of the pilgrimage bodes well for a great pilgrimage. I am sure it will be an occasion of grace for those fortunate to be on the pilgrimage and for the many back home whose intentions we carry with us to Lourdes.
