Friday 31

Friday Closing Mass

Theme: Good news to the poor - we honour Mary who sang the praises of God for raising up the poor and lowly

It is a blessing to conclude our week of pilgrimage on a special Feast of Mary: the Visitation, the occasion when on her visit to her cousin Elizabeth, Mary sings the praises of God for putting down the proud of heart and raising the lowly: the Magnificat (My soul glorifies the Lord).

At the Altar of God today, and following the Lord's Ascension into Heaven, the whole Church awaits the coming of the Holy Spirit.

It is often said that Our Lady calls us on pilgrimage to Lourdes. So now, with her, let is sing the praises of God, for all that our week has been.

Asa we return to our routines of life in England, let our judgments and our values be shaped by the theme that we have explored this week: Blessed are the Poor.

Gallery: Closing Mass