Written by Fr Andrew Gallagher
Westminster’s 700-strong party of pilgrims has returned from Lourdes, with hearts overflowing after six extraordinary days filled with a closeness to Our Lady and through her, to her Son.
This year’s pilgrimage theme, ‘Come in Procession,’ echoed the words Mary spoke to Saint Bernadette during one of her 18 apparitions at the grotto in 1858: ‘Go tell the priests to build a chapel here and to come in procession.’ And we processed; a lot. From the opening Mass in St Bernadette Côté Grotte, to the Marian Torchlight Procession and the Blessed Sacrament Procession our steps were filled with faith and devotion.
Among the many unforgettable moments, a highlight was our pilgrimage's International Mass on the Sunday. Joining around 20,000 believers from around the world, and led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, we united in a powerful testament to our shared faith. The sight of thousands of pilgrims, coming together in the underground basilica to worship the Lord was a profound and moving experience.
While many of us may had been on pilgrimage before, there is something unique about a diocesan pilgrimage. You become more aware that the Church is a vast community and that there are many others who share your faith and a similar desire to bear witness to the joy of the Gospel.
This year’s Westminster pilgrimage reflected the diversity of our diocese, with a range of pilgrims including Cardinal Vincent, Bishop Nicholas, priests, seminarians, diocesan employees, assisted pilgrims, volunteers, young people, and many others. It was an opportunity to publicly witness to the unity of our faith in Jesus.
There are so many to thank, including all those who contributed to the planning and preparation, who make the pilgrimage a safe and holy experience. A special thank you must be extended to our incredible team of Redcap and St Frai volunteers. Their selfless dedication, tireless energy, and unwavering support for their fellow pilgrims was nothing short of inspirational.
Words alone cannot capture the profound impact Lourdes had on our pilgrims. Each day is documented on the diocesan website, with a video from one of the pilgrims. If you haven’t already, I urge you to explore these reports from all six days of the pilgrimage.
The images tell the story at its best, and perhaps they will stir something within you, compelling you to embark on this journey yourself.
Whether you are considering your first pilgrimage to Lourdes or looking to relive the experience, preparations for our 2025 pilgrimage are already underway. I hope to see many more of you join us on this journey.
Register your interest in the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2025 here.
