The following video was filmed during our 2018 pilgrimage. It illustrates the love and compassion that are central to our week in Lourdes, with people of all ages enjoying each other’s company in this very special environment.
Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, chose Bernadette to be a channel for the 'message' of Lourdes. The video below introduces her story.
Between 11th February and 16th July 1858, Mary appeared to Bernadette a number of times, delivering a message which still encourages millions of people to hear Our Lady’s call to pilgrimage today. Click on the tab below to journey in St Bernadette’s footsteps and explore the eighteen apparitions.
Lord, I thank you for the gift of being alive this morning.
I thank you for the sleep which has refreshed me.
We pray for those who may have had a restless night
because of pain or anxiety.
May this day be better for them.
I thank you for this day and a chance to start again.
Lord, this day is full of promise and opportunity.
Help me to waste none of it.
This day is full of mystery and the unknown.
Help me to face it without fear and anxiety.
This day is full of adventure.
Help me to be fully alive to it all.
During this day may I become a more thoughtful person,
a more prayerful person,
a more generous and kindly person.
Help me not to be turned in on myself,
but to be sensitive and helpful to others.
Let me do nothing today that will hurt anyone,
rather, let me make life more pleasant for those I meet today.
When night comes, may I look back on this day without regrets
and may nobody be unhappy because of anything I have said,
done or failed to do.
Lord bless this day for all of us.
Amen.
Author Unknown
Let me dedicate
my life today
to the care of those
who come my way.
Let me touch each one
with healing hand
and gentle art
for which I stand.
And when tonight
the day is done,
O let me rest in peace
if I helped just one.
Author Unknown
Pilgrims may wish to prepare for our pilgrimage by praying a Novena. A Novena is nine days of prayer and is often undertaken in preparation for an important life event. It is said that immediately after the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven, the Apostles prayed together each day, in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. Nine days later the first Pentecost took place with the Holy Spirit descending upon them.
Our Pilgrimage Book of Remembrance contains the names of loved ones who have died. The book is displayed prominently on the Sanctuary at every pilgrimage-led celebration of Mass while we are in Lourdes.
Please email us if you would like the name of a deceased family member or friend added to our Book of Remembrance.
