Lourdes Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is a ritual journey with a hallowed purpose. Every step along the way has meaning. The pilgrim knows that life giving challenges will emerge. A pilgrimage is not a vacation; it is a transformational journey during which significant change takes place. New insights are given. Deeper understanding is attained. New and old places in the heart are visited. Blessings are received and healing takes place. On return from the pilgrimage, life is seen with different eyes. Nothing will ever be quite the same again. Macrina Wiederkehr

As day broke over another school day a group of staff and students began assembling for departure on the College’s Annual pilgrimage to Lourdes in Southern France.

Lourdes has been a place of special pilgrimage for Christians especially those in the Catholic Tradition for many years.

As Tour Leader Mr David Postlethwaite called the group to order, last minute goodbyes and special thoughts carried the group to Dover for the crossing to France.

A very quick crossing saw the party return to the coach as we settled down to an afternoon siesta (coach style). As the travelling progressed concerns were raised about the noise coming from the air conditioning. However, it was soon realised that in fact it was Mrs Brown’s snoring that was the real issue!

The party on route was suitably fed from Ms Jan Phillips’ large white Tesco bag. Pork pies were particularly sort after as were cakes, chips and biscuits.

We settled down for the long haul with sleep beckoning, however the issues with the air conditioning seemed to get worse!

A new day dawned on a sun filled, picturesque landscape with the Pyrenees as a magnificent back drop to this scenic region of southern France.

We arrived at our hotels, everyone dispatched to their rooms to unpack, shower and settle in to get ready for the wonderful experience Lourdes was going to offer.

However, the party leader known for his love of running took no time to don the running shoes and set off for a 45 minute run around Lourdes.

Our first meal together as a group was lunch where the students quickly bonded into a lovely group. Some recuperation time was had and then we walked to our first Mass, celebrated by a lovely, warm and open South African Priest. In his sermon Father Paul stated that we are giving thanks for our life and that the 16th July was the last time the Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette. Indeed a special time to be in Lourdes.

Coming out of Mass one of the senior students was overheard to say “you can feel a special spirit all around you.”

Back to the Hotel for the evening meal and then preparations for our first Candlelight Procession around the main Grotto area. Some 20, 000 people assembled to be part of an amazing, spirit filled and emotive experience. Candlelight, hymns and prayers wrapped around each one of us on that evening. A lesson on how the world should be and what it would be like when all assembled walked in love, friendship and the common good. Late night then off to bed for some rest and recuperation.

The day broke into a lovely sunrise, students and staff assembled for breakfast. We were surprised to learn of Mrs Brown’s top breakfast tip “try dipping your croissant into your hot chocolate delicious”!

Off to Sunday Mass with English speaking pilgrims our opening hymn was Bind us together Lord. Very appropriate as the group had knitted together very well. The message from the priest’s sermon was to “see the face of Christ in others” Another important message from the Lourdes experience.

We now departed on a walking tour of Lourdes taking in all the main sites associated with the life of the young Bernadette. Excellent commentary by Mr Postlethwaite gave great insight into the early years of this most remarkable young lady.

In the afternoon we travelled to a special scenic spot called PIC DU JOUR which gave outstanding views of the whole region. Coach travel to the mountain followed by a “short walk” back to the town. Short walk was the definition used by our group leader! However, the group returned to the town much leaner and fitter than at the start of the day.

Preparations for our final Candlelight Procession were in hand as we set off to take part. Once again an amazing, spiritual and uplifting experience.

New day and a new experience was about to dawn. With the song ringing in our ears “We’re off to sunny Spain, Viva Espana”, we set off for a day at the beach in San Sebastian. A perfect day of Sun, Sea and Fun. The return trip was a great way to relax especially for Mr Postlethwaite who has now decided to give up long distance running and take up the challenges of a triathlon. The group now returned to the main grotto area where prayers, petitions and candles were lit for family and friends. It was also at this time that we paused to remember fellow student Harry Harper RIP.

Returning to our Hotel for our final meal the atmosphere was relaxed where laughter, banter and friendship was so much in evident, not only amongst our team but also from the hotel staff who provided great support during our stay.

Our final morning and we set off to say the “Stations of the Cross”. Perhaps as the time in France came to a close the final word should go to Our Lady who said, “I want you to ask people to come in procession, pray and reflect at this place”

We have done as you have asked and in return we pray that you continue to bless, guide and support the college community in the coming year.

Ave! Ave! Maria

Facts about Lourdes, France

The most visited pilgrimage shrine in the Christian world, Lourdes is not an ancient site but of more recent development. Lourdes is the site of a Marian apparition in 1858.

The pilgrimage season at Lourdes lasts from April through October, with the main day being August 15, the Marian Feast of Assumption.

Four to six million pilgrims from around the world visit the shrine each year and it is estimated that more than 200 million pilgrims have come to Lourdes since 1860.

History of Lourdes

The origins of its sanctity begin with the fourteen-year old girl Bernadette Soubirous. Between February and July of 1858, Bernadette saw apparitions of a white-robed lady 18 times in a small grotto called Massabiele, near the town of Lourdes.

In the apparitions Bernadette was told to instruct the village priest to build a chapel in the grotto, which many people would soon come to visit.

On the day of the 16th apparition, March 25, the lady revealed herself as the Blessed Virgin Mary. During her ecstatic trance in the grotto, Bernadette began to dig in the earth until a small puddle of water appeared. Over the next few days the puddle enlarged into a pool and eventually became the sacred spring for which Lourdes is now so famous.