This afternoon, pilgrims gathered at Cité Saint Pierre, Lourdes’ beautiful open-air ‘Cathedral in the Trees’, for Mass celebrated beneath the canopy of branches and sky.
Here, Bishop James Curry celebrated Mass. In his homily, surrounded by beauty of God’s creation, he spoke of the importance of protecting our natural world.
‘Mary Mother of God reminds us and calls us always to be open to that call to cherish the Earth, to cherish the wisdom, to cherish the yes we live with, always be conscious that wisdom listens, knowledge speaks.’
Today, we also spoke to Nina and Skye, Westminster Youth Ministry’s chaplains leading this year’s Redcap volunteers. The Redcaps are young people who dedicate their week in Lourdes to serving the assisted pilgrims with kindness and care, pushing wheelchairs and offering friendship throughout the pilgrimage. Their presence is a visible sign of hope and selfless service, living out the Gospel in small but powerful ways.
Later this evening, pilgrims will come together for the Penitential Service, a powerful reminder of the unlimited nature of God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The service will include a reading, a homily, and a time of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, followed by individual Confessions and concluding with Benediction.
