Today marks the halfway point of our pilgrimage, as pilgrims continue their journey of prayer and hope here in Lourdes.
This morning, Cardinal Nichols visited the pilgrims and medical team at St Frai, before making the journey over to the hotel where our redcap volunteers are staying. Here he took the opportunity to talk to them about his experience of the Conclave, where he among the other Cardinal Electors selected Pope Leo XVI as the successor to Saint Peter.
Mass was celebrated by Bishop James Curry in St Bernadette’s Cote Grotte, including the Anointing of the Sick. This brought comfort, healing, and peace to many assisted pilgrims and carers, as they entrusted their sufferings and worries to God’s loving care.
‘At that time: When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word
and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’
Matthew 8:14-17
Latrer we spoke with Bishop James, who shared his thoughts on the Sacrament of the Healing of the Sick following the Mass. He said:
'I found as a priest and now a bishop that this sacrament has a special resonance. There is a moment when you are saying the prayers and laying your hands on someone who is in need, is weak. That could be a weakness of the mind, heart and soul. Yet someone you know it is not your power or words that are making a difference in their lives, but the words and healing power of Christ.'
This evening, Westminster pilgrims also led the Blessed Sacrament Procession; a powerful reminder of Christ’s real presence among us.
Later tonight, pilgrims will gather once again in the Cote Grotte for a special reflection on this year’s Jubilee theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. As they continue this week together, pilgrims are called to be signs of hope in the world, for their families, parishes, and all those they carry in prayer.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as we keep you in ours.
