A reflection about Lourdes by a St. Frai Pilgrim
On Friday, I set off with the Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. As it was the 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions, it was a very special year.
When we arrived at the airport we were met by the Hospitaliers, who were very good with all the arrangements for the journey. After some delay, we set off to Lourdes. We arrived safely and were taken to the St Frai.
Our Welcome Mass was lovely. In the afternoon we followed in the footsteps of St Bernadette by doing the ‘Jubilee Walk’, which was very well organised.
All our Masses, the Blessing of the Sick, the visit to the Baths, and the Torchlight Procession gave a lovely spiritual blessing. Our Farewell Service always seems to give a sad feeling and makes you remember everyone you have met in the week and wonder if you will meet up again in the next Pilgrimage.
I would like to thank Bishop Tom, all the Clergy, Doctors, nurses, Hospitaliers, Youth, and not forgetting the Office Staff who worked hard in getting the Pilgrimage organised. On behalf of all Pilgrims - a big ‘thank you’ for another spiritual and happy Pilgrimage.
A reflection about Lourdes by Lorna, who has travelled to Lourdes for the first time
“I went to Lourdes this year for my first time with the Lourdes music group. I went as my sisters had been for the past three years and had a great experience and I thought it would be a good opportunity for me.
As it was my first year I was not to sure what to expect, but the months leading up to Lourdes gave me a good idea as I got to know everyone during fundraising events we organised and took part in. The fundraising days such as, bag packing, race nights, musical nights, Irish night and many other things were great fun and a good way of getting to know people.
The weeks leading up to Lourdes became quite busy, filled with meetings and singing and instrumental practices, this was so we could learn new songs and try to perfect them for when we arrived at Lourdes.
The Lourdes Music Group travelled to on their pilgrimage on Friday, we went by plane and flew from Manchester airport. When we did arrive in Lourdes we went to our hotel, had some to time to unpack, before dinner then went straight to our first mass where we sang for a number of local pilgrims.
As we had early morning starts I though it was going to be very tiring, which it was, but the fun and enthusiastic people we went with got us through each day, with a smile on our faces.
Our daily timetable varied as one day we were involved in three masses per day and on another we were pushing the sick and elderly around Lourdes on a Jubilee Walk. We also had some free time to relax and have fun with friends. One of the days we stayed in Lourdes we went to a Water Park, where there was a huge lake with pedalos for everyone to enjoy.
As the week came to a close and we prepared to leave, we could all see that the 44 people that had travelled to Lourdes on the pilgrimage had become 44 friends.
My memory of my first time in Lourdes will always stick with me; and I look forward to going to Lourdes again next year.”
A reflection about Lourdes by Rachel, who has been travelling to Lourdes with the Music Group for the past ten years
“My first visit to Lourdes with the music group was in 1999 and at 15 was the youngest member of "the family" I’d joined after being part of the confirmation group that year and I didn’t know what to expect and I believed it would be a one off trip... but I couldn't have been more wrong! The jubilee year was my 10th year with the Lourdes Music Group (LMG).
LMG is a fantastic group to become a part of, on both a spiritual and social level. It strikes the right balance, providing the music for the pilgrimage each year is an enormous responsibility, as it provides for people an atmosphere in which to experience God on their individual journey.
To have pilgrims take time to come up to you during the week telling you how you've touched their lives or sang their favourite hymn is very emotional for me personally. To know how many people I’ve shared my gifts with for so many years is something truly special.
2008 also added another dimension to the LMG when we helped out with and had more contact with our sick pilgrims, joining them on their Jubilee Walk. I found this time very comforting and important; the lady I helped is now very close in my heart as she brought out a side of me not seen since my Nan passed away. This enabled me to enter into the week wholeheartedly knowing every word I said and note I sang was prayed and offered up to God.”
A reflection about Lourdes by Suzie, who has travelled to Lourdes for the first time
“This year I went to Lourdes with the Lourdes Music Group for the first time. It was very different than I had expected. Not only was it a chance to have time to myself and pray but I also made amazing friendships.
The preparation and fund raising for the pilgrimage was also a great experience and I made lots of new friends. I can't wait to return next year!”
A reflection about Lourdes by Jane, who has been a part of the Music Group since making her confirmation
"I can’t really remember how I first got involved with the Lourdes Music Group. It is based in my parish and I just drifted into it after my confirmation the way I drift into most things but I’ve been going ever since and I know I would make the same decision again.
The job of the LMG is to provide the music and singing for the masses and services while the Liverpool Pilgrimage is in Lourdes. This ranges from singing as part of a large choir in many different languages at the Blessed Sacrament Procession to singing at a small service for Liverpool Pilgrims in the hospital. Being a part of the Liverpool Pilgrimage has a real sense of community and you can’t walk down the street in Lourdes without seeing a familiar face from home.
For the past few years we’ve also had the opportunity to help out at the Saint Frai for the first few days of the pilgrimage pushing wheelchairs. We take the sick pilgrims down to mass and on a tour of the domain. It is a great experience because you get to meet so many new people and learn about all their differing experiences of Lourdes.
As well as singing the group also have daily group prayer (which can be anything from Hail Mary to High School Musical depending on who organises it!) and a group mass (usually under a tree at the Water Park). We also get to take part in the Torchlight Procession and walk the Stations of the Cross. We also spend a couple of hours or so each day practicing the music for the upcoming masses.
But it isn’t all Holy. We get free time each day and the evenings are spent socialising as a group in bars and hotels around Lourdes. We also usually go on a daytrip to the nearby Water Park and one evening is designated as a theme night. For the theme night we split into groups, dress in fancy dress and put on a bit of a show. It is generally about making a fool of yourself and is a good laugh. Our last theme was Lourdes Vision (countries of the world) but we’ve also done Cartoon Characters and Superheroes and had a Big Brother themed night.
And everything doesn’t just finish when we get home from Lourdes. For a couple of months before we go we spend time practising and we also sing a various masses in the Archdiocese throughout the year. We also do a fair bit of fundraising with everything from shows and entertainment evenings to bag packs and car washes. We also socialise together a lot during the year with nights out, parties, daytrips etc. One of the highlights is The Oscars; our reunion night, a month or so after Lourdes. We all dress up in black tie gear; watch a film of our pilgrimage and have an awards ceremony and after party.
So why do I go to Lourdes with the LMG? Well, Lourdes is a chance to get away for a week that is completely different from everyday life. It gives me a chance to think back on my year; put any sad things behind me and say thank you for the good things. But more importantly Lourdes is about friendship. The group is always laughing and doing something mad and I always have a great time. For me The Lourdes Music Group Pilgrimage is all about friends, whether it is the new acquaintances you make or the friendships you strengthen." |
