‍

Our annual Lourdes Pilgrimage begins this week with people of all ages travelling to France today (Thursday 27) and tomorrow (Friday 28). The pilgrimage is one of the most significant pastoral events in our diocesan calendar, with pilgrims journeying to Lourdes to serve one other and to renew their commitment to walk with Jesus - with the help of Our Lady and St Bernadette.

Joining Bishop Richard and the Pilgrimage Office this year are 114 Assisted Pilgrims, 99 Pilgrims, 186 Helpers and Leaders, 56 Redshirts and Leaders,33 Nurses, Registered Mental Health Nurses and Health Care Assistants, 7 Doctors, 24 Chaplains, 10 Assistant Chaplains and 33 Support Team members.Writing in this year's Pilgrimage Handbook, Bishop Richard says:

‍

“The theme in Lourdes this year 'Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here' speaks to me not only of the Basilica of Lourdes and the blessings that flow in Lourdes, but also of the ‘living stones, building a spiritual house’ (1 Pt. 2:5). We are the Church, the Body of Christ, each living stone with the gifts and talents that we have received from the Lord. When the time comes for us to return home, may we return as ‘living stones’ firm in faith, growing in hope with the love that will enable is to truly build the Kingdom of God.”

‍

‍We look forward to sharing news from the pilgrimage across diocesan social media channels and in next week's E-Bulletin. You can sign up to receive the E-Bulletin by clicking here.