The Autumn pilgrimage left Shannon Airport early on Monday morning. All 189 pilgrims arrived safely to glorious sunshine, something we Irish are not used to at the present time. The choir from Carrigaholt and Cross parishes, with support from other West Clare parishes, are leading us in music and song. All are remembered in prayer during this week of pilgrimage.
The second day of our pilgrimage began with Fr Brendan Quinlivan celebrating Mass for the feast of St Thérèse known as the Little Flower. After Mass, the traditional pilgrimage photo was taken on the steps of the Basilica.
In the afternoon pilgrims took part in a penitential service, the Blessed Sacrament procession, and the Blessing of the Sick. The day concluded with night prayer and Rosary at the Grotto. Earlier in the evening our Pilgrimage Secretary Mary Freeman brought all the petitions collected during the recent visit of the Relics of St Bernadette to our Diocese to the Grotto where they were placed and prayed for by all who come to the Grotto each day.
The highlight for all Pilgrimages to Lourdes is always the celebration of Mass at the Grotto. This morning, Killaloe Diocese led the mass in English. Our celebrant was Monsignor Ken McCaffrey from Dundee in Scotland who is a regular visitor to our diocese each year. Despite the rain, the prayer was offered and the praises of God were sung in the feast of our Guardian Angels. The inclement weather allowed pilgrims time for private devotion like visiting the Adoration Chapel, water gesture at the baths, visiting the churches and basilicas, and spending time with each other in the many cafes in Lourdes.
We all gathered in the Pius X underground Basilica for the Stations of the Cross, led by Fr Brendan and our pilgrimage secretary Mary Freeman. Each day concludes with night prayer and rosary.
The fourth day of pilgrimage began with Fr Brendan leading us in the celebration of Mass for the Sick where the Sacrament of Anointing was made available to all who requested it.
After Mass, some pilgrims took a walking tour of Lourdes, while others used the time for private prayer. Lourdes is very busy this week as the French National Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage takes place. It’s great to see and be exposed to the universal Church at prayer, and it is very encouraging to see so many young people from all over France on pilgrimage and giving of their time to help the sick.
In the afternoon, we gathered for a time of Eucharistic prayer and the blessing of the pilgrimage candle. This year our candle was lit by Al & Noreen Hayes who are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of their marriage. The ceremony concluded with a procession to the Grotto with the candle as we prayed the rosary.
The day concluded with pilgrims participating in the Torchlight Marian Procession and our daily night prayer and rosary.
As the French National Pilgrimage filled the square for morning Mass on Friday, pilgrims from the Killaloe Diocese gathered in the Basilica of The Immaculate Conception to celebrate the feast of St Francis of Assisi. After Mass pilgrims were free to wander and stroll in the French sunshine.
In the afternoon some opted to go to Gavarnie on the Pyrenees for a break away from Lourdes. Others stayed in the sanctuary and Grotto for private prayer. Some pilgrims went to the recently renovated parish church that holds the baptismal font that baptised St Bernadette. The day concluded with our farewell and thanksgiving ceremony in St Joseph’s Church before taking part in the Marian Torchlight Procession which brings an end to the day in Lourdes.
The journey has begun as we prepare to leave Lourdes after six grace-filled days. On the last day, Fr Brendan celebrated our farewell Mass. After Mass pilgrims went to the Grotto for their final prayers of farewell. After lunch and with bags backed pilgrims headed for the airport on route to Shannon Airport
The highlight for all Pilgrimages to Lourdes is always the celebration of Mass at the Grotto. This morning, Killaloe Diocese led the mass in English. Our celebrant was Monsignor Ken McCaffrey from Dundee in Scotland who is a regular visitor to our diocese each year. Despite the rain, the prayer was offered and the praises of God were sung in the feast of our Guardian Angels. The inclement weather allowed pilgrims time for private devotion like visiting the Adoration Chapel, water gesture at the baths, visiting the churches and basilicas, and spending time with each other in the many cafes in Lourdes.
We all gathered in the Pius X underground Basilica for the Stations of the Cross, led by Fr Brendan and our pilgrimage secretary Mary Freeman. Each day concludes with night prayer and rosary.
The fourth day of pilgrimage began with Fr Brendan leading us in the celebration of Mass for the Sick where the Sacrament of Anointing was made available to all who requested it.
After Mass, some pilgrims took a walking tour of Lourdes, while others used the time for private prayer. Lourdes is very busy this week as the French National Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage takes place. It’s great to see and be exposed to the universal Church at prayer, and it is very encouraging to see so many young people from all over France on pilgrimage and giving of their time to help the sick.
In the afternoon, we gathered for a time of Eucharistic prayer and the blessing of the pilgrimage candle. This year our candle was lit by Al & Noreen Hayes who are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of their marriage. The ceremony concluded with a procession to the Grotto with the candle as we prayed the rosary.
The day concluded with pilgrims participating in the Torchlight Marian Procession and our daily night prayer and rosary.
As the French National Pilgrimage filled the square for morning Mass on Friday, pilgrims from the Killaloe Diocese gathered in the Basilica of The Immaculate Conception to celebrate the feast of St Francis of Assisi. After Mass pilgrims were free to wander and stroll in the French sunshine.
In the afternoon some opted to go to Gavarnie on the Pyrenees for a break away from Lourdes. Others stayed in the sanctuary and Grotto for private prayer. Some pilgrims went to the recently renovated parish church that holds the baptismal font that baptised St Bernadette. The day concluded with our farewell and thanksgiving ceremony in St Joseph’s Church before taking part in the Marian Torchlight Procession which brings an end to the day in Lourdes.
The journey has begun as we prepare to leave Lourdes after six grace-filled days. On the last day, Fr Brendan celebrated our farewell Mass. After Mass pilgrims went to the Grotto for their final prayers of farewell. After lunch and with bags backed pilgrims headed for the airport on route to Shannon Airport
