‘I myself will gather [them] from all the countries where I have dispersed them, and will bring them back to their pastures’ (Jeremiah 23:3).
The words from today’s first reading hold a particular significance for our pilgrims today, many of whom gathered at the Basilica of St Pius X for the International Mass this morning to celebrate the Sunday with pilgrims from all over the world. The Basilica, a vast underground concrete structure, was a striking sight for the first-timers among us!
The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Nichols, who reflected on our shared identity in Christ, who has overcome all barriers between peoples: ‘In our world today there is so much conflict, division and hostility. They have no place here. Rather, in this great celebration we glimpse a new humanity, a single family of people, mighty in diversity, strong in unity.’
This Mass was particularly significant for the Westminster pilgrims, with the Redcaps leading the entrance procession and several of our diocesan seminarians serving in the sanctuary.
Others headed to St Joseph’s Chapel for a lively Family Mass presided by Bishop Nicholas Hudson. Among the attendees was Francisca, who started coming to Lourdes with her father and now visits regularly with her husband Joseph and their two sons, one of whom is volunteering with the Redcaps. For them as for many others, the Lourdes Pilgrimage is a family tradition that spans multiple generations!
The afternoon brings with it the promise of Sabbath rest; after all, in today’s gospel Christ tells his disciples to ‘come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’ (Mark 6:31).
Meanwhile, our Redcaps were treated to a powerful vocation story from Fr Mike Maguire and a chat with Cardinal Nichols, and the curious embarked on a walking-tour of Lourdes, undeterred by the light drizzle!
The evening brings with it an exciting event for us: the chance to lead tonight’s Marian Torchlight Procession. As darkness envelops the world for another night, this is our chance ‘keep watch with Christ’ together with Our Lady, who shelters us under her mantle.
