Monday 27 May 2024 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day One Expand Monday – The Feast of St Augustine of Canterbury Today is an arrival day, with pilgrims joining by coach and by air throughout the day. We think of our pilgrimage intentions: Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for MayFor the formation of religious and seminarians - We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel The Church throughout the worldPope Francis, Bishop Stephen Wright - Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle, the Canonisation of Blessed Dominic Barberi. The Sanctuary of LourdesBishop Jean-Marc Micas - Bishop of Tarbes & Lourdes, Father Michel Daubanes - Rector of the Sanctuary and all Sanctuary staff and volunteers. Our DioceseArchbishop Bernard. Assistant Bishop David, Bishops Elect Richard & TimothyBishops Emeriti - Philip & William. Episcopal Vicars: Canon Paul Fitzpatrick and Canon Paul McNally. Our Priests, Deacons, Religious & Laity. Our IntentionsVocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and the Consecrated Life. All our parishes and communities as we seek to implement the Diocesan Vision. Christian Unity.Those whose intentions we bring to Lourdes. All those who celebrate anniversaries whilst in Lourdes. All who are Sick. All victims of abuse, injustice or violence Refugees and Asylum Seekers. An end to the wars in the Holy Land, Ukraine and all parts of the world.Our Benefactors. The Faithful Departed. Mass at Rosary Basilica - Homily Fr Craig Szmidt gave the homily: To Jesus through Mary "There is one question that will be asked many times in the coming days: “How many times have you been to Lourdes?” But even if it’s your first time, or if you’re a relatively new to the Lourdes Pilgrimage you will very quickly feel at home, as we once again begin gathering here as an Archdiocese. "It doesn’t matter if this is your first, third, tenth, or fiftieth time – or even if you’ve lost count – Lourdes somehow finds a special place within our hearts. Whatever our reason for coming here on pilgrimage – whatever our illness, our burdens or our difficulties – we bring them before Jesus in faith." Read full homily Photo gallery: Mass at Rosary Basilica
Tuesday 28 May 2024 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 2 Expand Our Lady Queen of Peace Tuesday – Opening Mass Dear Fellow Pilgrims, We have arrived in Lourdes and our Pilgrimage begins. Take an opportunity to see how many people are here with us: all ages and backgrounds, those who carry many burdens (which might not be obvious to us) and those who are simply joyful to be here and to be thankful. We gather as the People of God from the Archdiocese of Birmingham and beyond. We come with many intentions – both our own and those who have asked us to pray for them during these days. Our week together will go quickly, so let’s make the most of it and all of the opportunities it will bring us. The musical prelude for our week is ‘Out of Darkness, God has called us, claimed by Christ as God’s own people; Holy Nation, Royal Priesthood, walking in God’s marvellous light.’ You might recognise these words from the New Testament: the First Letter of St Peter, Chapter 2, verse 9. It speaks to us of what it is to belong to the Church. The image associated with the Synodal Pathway led by the Holy Spirit and encouraged by Pope Francis is of the People of God on a journey. As we sing ‘Out of Darkness’ each time this week, let us be aware that we belong to the Church because we are the Church. In this Opening Mass of our Pilgrimage, we honour Our Lady, Queen of Peace. We pray for peace in the world, peace in our homes and families, peace in our hearts. Out of DarknessOut of darkness god has called us,Claimed as Christ as God’s own people.Holy nation, royal priesthood,Walking in god’s marv’lous light. 1. Let us take the words you give, Strong and faithful words to live.Words that in our hearts are sown; Words that bind us as your own Opening Mass: Homily Bishop David Evans gave the homily: "The ways of God are mysterious but the mystery may not always be apparent till later, or until one event is connected to another. Today’s first reading bears that out when we consider Aaron; for why would God trust with that stupendous blessing the one who was responsible for making the golden calf and encouraging God’s people to worship it? "That event is also more complex than might at first appear." Read full homily Photo Gallery: Opening Mass Tuesday – Reconciliation This year, our Penitential Service takes place near to the beginning of our Pilgrimage Week. It is not easy for anybody to go to Confession, but in this act of God’s mercy, we know that we are not alone. The priests and bishops who are with us on pilgrimage (who also know what it is to go to Confession) are instruments of God’s mercy and wish to support you in coming before the Lord and leaving our burdens with the Lord, hearing the words ‘Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace and I absolve you from your sins…’ If you can trust in God’s goodness and want to get the most out of what this pilgrimage week offers, be confident and be encouraged to come to Confession and celebrate the mercy of God as it is offered to you. Do not be afraid…. familiar words from the Bible. In this context, do not be afraid if it has been a long time since you last celebrated this Sacrament, last went to Confession. If that is the case, or if you don’t know where to start, please take the opportunity that is offered you this week, to come to Confession, and just be honest and say: It’s been a long time and I don’t know where to start… and the priest will guide you gently through the Sacrament, leading to forgiveness of your sins. Homily Fr Andrew Franklin gave the homily Read full homily Lord God, We come before you as your children, confident to call you Father, mindful of our sins, but filled with hope in your merciful love. Through the power of Spirit, you give the sacraments to your Church as a sign of your abiding presence. Prepare us for the encounter to which you call us today. Grant us the grace to respond without hesitation to Our Lady’s invitation to draw close to her Son, Jesus with repentant and contrite hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Photo Gallery: Reconciliation Tuesday night - Marian Torchlight Procession Tonight the Archdiocese of Birmingham had the honour of leading the Torchlight Procession. Thousands of people from across the world had gathered at the Sanctuary to witness this very special event. A large number of pupils from across our schools were heavily involved - as flag bearers, as torchlight holders and carrying Mary on the procession. What a wonderful spiritual encounter for us all. Photo Gallery: Torchlight Procession
Wednesday 29 May 2024 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 3 Expand Wednesday – International Mass Thousands of people from across the world gathered for this morning's International Mass in the Underground Basilica. Youth vigil Tonight the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) hosted a Youth Vigil in the St Bernadette Chapel. Uplifting music and song, adoration and prayer, and time for discussion. Many of our young people attended as they continue to experience the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. As part of their time here they work shifts in the Accueil, looking after our older and sick pilgrims. Photo Gallery: Youth Vigil
Thursday 30 May 2024 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 4 Expand St Bernadette Thursday - Hospitalité Mass We celebrated our Opening Mass, and we have seen the International Mass – two great expressions of belonging to the Church of our Diocesan Family and of the Universality of the Catholic Church expressed in many languages. Today’s Pilgrimage Mass, in honour of St Bernadette who experienced the apparitions of Our Lady that give so much meaning to this holy place, focuses on our sick pilgrims and on those who care for them. The Lourdes Hospitalité is the group of wonderful volunteers – both on our Pilgrimage this week, and in Lourdes throughout the Pilgrimage season each year – who give their time freely to care for sick pilgrims. The world sees sickness as a problem to be avoided. For most people, sickness is not a choice and it can be a Cross to carry. But the sufferings of our Servant King, Jesus Christ, have given new meaning and purpose to suffering in our human condition. The Gospels show Christ to have a profound love and concern for those who live with sickness of any kind, and he brings not only healing but dignity and wholeness. Lourdes is often seen as a place of miracles. It is said that you don’t always return from Lourdes with the miracle you wanted, but the power of God at work in you can be a miracle that you did not expect. Today, we thank God for our pilgrims who work to bring comfort and care to our sick pilgrims. We also thank our sick pilgrims for their presence among us and for reminding us of the dignity of life in all stages and in every circumstance. Sometimes, seeing the needs of others gives us more reason to be grateful for the blessings in our own lives. We do not forget the many people who devote their lives to caring for family members in their own homes. Homily Fr Tom Farrell gave the Homily: "My predecessor at Christ the King in Coventry was Fr Eamon Clarke. "He was an avid reader. He would devour books and usually get through two newspapers every day. "But even with his love of books and newspapers, he would say, “don’t buy a newspaper at the weekend. They don’t deserve to be called newspapers. They are full of holidays, cars, fashion and home improvements – lifestyle. Telling things have to be perfect for us to be happy. A perfect lifestyle.” "Things are probably even more challenging now with the growth of social media, bringing picture perfect images and fake news." Read full Homily Photo Gallery: Hospitalité Mass Thursday - Holy Hour We joined together at the Rosary Basilica for Adoration and the anointing of the sick. Homily Fr Alex Taylor gave the homily: As we near the end of our time together, just to say I’ve found my first time on the diocesan pilgrimage a very moving experience. Why? Because of the many encounters I’ve had with our pilgrims. It would seem a good idea to focus this reflection on the theme of encounter, because encounter moves us. Encounter is at the heart of who we are as he People of God. Pilgrimage to Lourdes is itself founded on an encounter. The encounter between Our Lady and a young girl called Bernadette. This type of encounter we call an apparition. The first of these was on February 11th, 1858. God’s intention in sending Mary to Bernadette 166 years ago was this… to lead us to encounter Jesus and to help us to live the gospel. In the thirteenth apparition of March 2nd, Mary’s invitation to Bernadette, which forms the theme of this year's pilgrimage encounter, Mary asks: Go and tell the priest that the people are to come here in procession, and they are to build a church here. Everything about these days of pilgrimage is to do with these words of invitation, come in procession. We are the pilgrims who make the church that Mary asked for in this place. Read full homily Photo Gallery: Holy Hour and Anointing
Friday 31 May 2024 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 5 Expand Feast of the Visitation of Our Lady to Elizabeth Friday – Grotto Mass - Closing Mass We are blessed today, to celebrate the great Feast of the Visitation of Our Lady to her cousin, Elizabeth – the meeting in the wombs of both of Jesus and his cousin John the Baptist. We are also blessed to celebrate this Feast at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St Bernardette. These are moments to savour where we reflect on the experiences of our week together. As we prepare to return home, we hope and pray that something of this week will remain with us and that we will be changed by our Pilgrim experience. Grotto Mass: Homily Archbishop Bernard Longley delivered the Homily during today's Mass: "When I woke up this morning it came as something of a surprise to realise that today we would be celebrating the Closing Mass of our pilgrimage. Lourdes has been full of surprises over the last few days – and we can only imagine St Bernadette’s surprise at meeting Our Lady just here beside the River Gave – just as St Elizabeth must have been surprised as well as delighted at seeing her cousin Mary at the Visitation." Read Homily in full Photo Gallery: Closing Mass in the Grotto Friday Evening Prayer Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer of the Church are two hinges of the Church’s day. They are prayed by Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Religious each day as part of the promises of their chosen vocation. But every one of us is asked to consecrate the different parts of the day by our prayer. You might consider making Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer of the Church something that you could pray more regularly as a fruit of your pilgrimage this week. A good app to buy which can help this is called Univeralis. It has Morning and Evening Prayer, Readings and Mass responses and much more for all the year round. Photo Gallery: Friday Evening Prayer and Eucharistic Procession