Processions in Lourdes

A GUIDE TO THE PROCESSIONS IN LOURDES

During our week in Lourdes we will participate as a pilgrimage in two processions – the Torchlight and the Blessed Sacrament. We will also process as a Diocese. In this article we explore the meaning of taking part in a procession.

A procession is a journey which symbolises in mini-form what our pilgrimage is about. It is the courage to move out of our comfort zone, join with other people and seek to encounter the Lord. Every procession starts with one type of order – through the goodwill of all participants we get ourselves ready and in line – and ends with a different experience – we celebrate being together as “Church, People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit.” (Vatican 2)

Aprocession is not: ✙ A race – we will all get to the final destination. There is no prize for being the first. Indeed in the Blessed Sacrament Procession the most honoured position is at the end of the Procession where the Bishop carries the Host. ✙ A march–we are each one of us unique individuals making together a pilgrim Church, not an army on the march. Our goal is unity not uniformity. ✙ A parade – many people will look on as we process through Lourdes, but we are not showing ourselves off to others. We are witnesses of faith obeying the command which Our Lady gave to Bernadette telling people to “come in procession”. Aprocession is: ✙ A humble and respectful walk accompanied by meditation, song and prayer. ✙ A community in which many different groups - a people of all nations - come together to worship. We do not choose the place where we walk – we accept humbly the place that is given to us in order to form part of that community. ✙ A reflection of what the Church is – the people of God walking towards the Light, overcoming tribulations on the way, renewing itself constantly under the action and the influence of the Holy Spirit.