Tomorrow the Deaf Community start their pilgrimage to Lourdes. We join with the parish of St Mary & St Michael, Commercial Road to this beautiful place of pilgrimage. In 1858 Bernadette was told by "Aquero" to tell people to come in procession and to wash in and drink the waters. During the week we will do both these things and many more besides.
Archbishop Bernard Longley preached today in Lourdes about the gifts of the Spirit. As we start our pilgrimage we pray for these gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control as we share this pilgrimage experience.
Monday 25th May
We arrived in a warm and sunny Lourdes and started our pilgrimage with a walk through the Grotto and time in the domain praying for those who have asked for our prayers. This evening we watched the torchlight procession from outside the crypt and finished our day getting to know the other members of our group.
Tuesday 26th May
Our day started with a beautiful Mass in the lower chapel of the Accuiel St Frai with members of the parish of St Mary and St Michael and the Deaf Community all contributing.
In the afternoon we split into two groups to pray the stations of the cross. Following this we visited both the Bolly Mill where Berndette was born and the Cachot where her family moved to when they fell on hard times. We finished the day by joining the torchlight procession following Our Lady's words to Bernadette to tell people to come here in procession.
Wednesday 27th May
Bright and early we headed off to International Mass in the Underground Bascilia lead today by Bishop William Kenny from Birmingham.
Our afternoon was spent up the Pic de Jer enjoying the wonderful views of the Pyrennees.
We have been greatly blessed by our young helpers with us who have been helping all the time and have all learned some signing too.
We came together again in the afternoon for the rosary led by Fr Willie and signed by Christian Keeley SJ and Sarah Metcalfe. Then the young and the young at heart went and enjoyed an evening of CJM's music.
Thursday 28th May
The Mass today was led by members of the Deaf Community with different people signing the reading and hymns. it was a beautifiul celebration. Following this the whole group had their photo taken outside the Crypt.
During the afternoon members of the group went to the baths and some for the first time experienced that emotional and prayerful blessing.
After an ice cream or two we joined the Blessed Sacrament Procession which was led by Plymouth Diocese (and ended up near the front somewhat by accident!). Bishop Mark O'Toole precided and after the devotion was over he come and had a chat with the community. The day ended with an hour at the grotto at midnight a peaceful and prayerful way to finish the day.
Friday 29th May
The final day of our pilgrimage; we can't believe where the time has gone! This morning at Mass the names of all the group were added to the pilgrimage candle. We processed to the Grotto and left our candle burning there along with our prayers.
We have made many new friends on this pilgrimage. Our grateful thanks to Fr WIllie Skehan, the community at St Mary and St Michael's church in Commerical Road and our team of young helpers who all made us so welcome and shared with us in this special experience of Lourdes.
