In 1925 Bishop Dudley Carey-Elwes led the first Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Since then it has become an annual multi-Diocese event run under the auspices of the Catholic Association.
Lourdes is a town in the French region of Bigorre, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, where in 1858 the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, appeared 18 times to a simple teenage girl, Bernadette Soubirous, in order to draw people into a deeper relationship with her son Jesus. 150 years later, the Lourdes shrine attracts over six million visitors every year, which , of course, includes our own pilgrimage.
We spend a week in Lourdes every August. Whether we are 'assisted pilgrims', or helpers, young or old, clergy or laity, we are all in need of spiritual renewal, and our journey to Lourdes helps our pilgrims to refocus in their life's journey to God.
This year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage is from 21st to 28th August 2009
For further information about how the Pilgrimage is organised, what events typically take place on pilgrimage, some of our policy documents,and a downloadable brochure produced by Tangney Tours, as well as materials from our archives and photo galleries, check the Catholic Association website .
For booking forms, printed brochures and further information contact The Director of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Fr Damien Walne, at 1 Elwes Way, Great Billing, Northampton, NN3 9EA or email admin@ourladyandstanselm.org.
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The Pilgrimage last year took place from 22nd-29th August 2008, and Bishop Peter accompanied the group. Here's what he had to say about it shortly after returning:
“More than 130 people from our Diocese were in Lourdes during the last week of August. We were there with pilgrims from the dioceses of Southwark, East Anglia, Clifton and Portsmouth. Also with us were members of the Stonyhurst Association and of the Carmelite British Province. Together we formed the Catholic Association Pilgrimage.
All of us were touched by the spirit of the Jubilee Year marking the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Blessed Lady to St. Bernadette. Once more we experienced a call to personal conversion. Many of us trod the Jubilee Way starting at the Parish Church where Bernadette was baptised and ending at the Oratory in the hospital where she received First Holy Communion. To complete the Jubilee Way we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The theme of the Jubilee Year is the Mission of the Church, and much of our prayer was focussed on the mission of the Church in our Diocese.
There was a great buzz around the place as Lourdes prepared for the visit of Pope Benedict during the second weekend of September.
To round off the pilgrimage we had a great Diocesan party with the young who rolled the wheelchairs, with the sick and the elderly who were rolled, and with everyone in between!
This year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage is from 21st to 28th August 2009. It would be great to see more and more of us taking part. Do contact our Diocesan Director, Father Damien Walne, on 01604 406410 for details.”
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Assistant Director is Rev. Deacon Michael Fleming from St Gregory's, Northampton.
Secretary is Mr Michael Carter from High Wycombe.
Youth Chaplain is Fr. Andy Ollard