Hundreds take part in our 70th Lourdes pilgrimage

Around 750 people from across the diocese helped make our 70th pilgrimage to Lourdes an overwhelming success.

The party included 49 supported pilgrims in the Accueil Notre Dame and another 20 staying in hotels in the town.

They were looked after by seven doctors with varying experience from junior doctors to consultant status, 12 nurses of all grades and 99 handmaids and 60 brancardiers, both these groups coming from all walks of life, ages and skills.

There were also 107 young people from across the diocese, including 12 youth leaders, plus 25 musicians and choir members, who enhanced our celebrations throughout the week.

Pilgrims travelled in two specially chartered planes flying from Teesside Airport, with others coming by train, coach and car for our first seven-day pilgrimage since the pandemic.

There was warm sunshine throughout the week, with a couple of dramatic thunderstorms failing to dampen pilgrims’ spirits.

Services took place in venues including the Rosary Basilica, the Basilica of St Pius X, the St Bernadette Centre and the Grotto. There was also Stations of the Cross and a midweek trip to the Lac de Lourdes.

Speaking after the Thanksgiving Service, Bishop Terry, who led the pilgrimage, said: “It’s been unique and special for me, especially to be present at the International Mass at Pentecost, where we had people of every language and nation gathering together and praising God in one voice. That’s a miracle in itself.

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A few years ago, I can remember meeting some good people who had come all the way from the USA to take part in our rally. One of them bore the name “Postgate”, hence their desire to travel such distances to take part.

Can I urge as many as possible to come along?

Blessed Nicholas is our local martyr, and we should be loyal to him and the tradition he gifted us with his life’s blood. Numbers have been getting low over the last ten years or so. We don’t have to travel as far as our American friends. It will be good to see you all there.

Towards the end of the month and the beginning of August, a group of young people will be setting off to Lisbon to join our Holy Father (health permitting) at World Youth Day.

I would expect they will be among a huge crowd of at least a couple of million young people from all over the world. Just keep them all in your prayers.

You might take note of how much media coverage there will be from the main news

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