This week many parishioners from across the Diocese are in Lourdes on the annual Arundel and Brighton Pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims are quite a few from our own parish, both sick pilgrims and helpers. Please remember them in your prayers as I'm sure they will be praying for all in our parish whilst they are in Lourdes.
This year is a special year as it is the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Our Lady to St Bernadette. Because of the anniversary the numbers of pilgrims has been increased from the usual 800 to 1,000 people to accommodate all those wishing to attend.
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This year I was delighted to be in Lourdes not only with friends from St Anns but also my two daughters. Carly has been regularly visiting Lourdes with the diocese as a helper for many years and this time, she and I were also accompanied by Camila. It was a very good seven days following the normal Lourdes timetable with Mass every day, a reconcilation service, Mass with the anointing of the sick, the Blessed Sacrament procession and torch light procession, early morning Stations of the Cross for able pilgrims along a high mountainous walk and the newly completed 'low' stations for all pilgrims which are spectacular.
Also this year, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the apparitions the Lourdes Sanctuaries have devised a route through the town and Sanctuary to take in key stages of St. Bernadette's life called the 'Jubilee Way'. Pilgrims are invited to follow this way and pray at each stage, ie to pray where Bernadatte prayed as a child. Pope Benedict has announced that every member of the Christian faithful following this way, and fulfilling the usual requirements of confession and holy communion and praying for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff would be granted a plenary indulgence.
Lourdes is always a very special place where you have ample time for people and prayer. Despite the increased numbers in Lourdes this year, this was all still very possible. Going to Lourdes on the diocesan piligrimage is to be highly recommended. The only problem you have is that you never only go once!
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