Sunday 21 May 2023 Blessing of Hands Mass at St Chad's Cathedral Expand A special Mass was held at St Chad’s Cathedral on Sunday 21 May to celebrate the forthcoming Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. People representing the various groups which are travelling to Lourdes attend the Blessing of Hands event to have their hands blessed for whatever ministry they may be involved in. Sunday’s Mass was celebrated by Bishop David Evans and Fr David Hartley, Chaplain of the Sick whilst in Lourdes, delivered the Homily. “Surely our Lourdes pilgrimage helps us to express all the pillars of our Diocesan Vision - Evangelisation, Formation, Liturgy and Worship and Social Outreach - and Young People - yes! This is biggest event in the life of our diocese and we’re all glad to be part of it- we live the life of the Church in a concentrated way- we will journey together and build each other up in love. “And that journeying together is how the Church works all the time even when we are not seeing it so clearly- it’s how Synodality needs to work- walking together- and all that goes with that- we’ll be driving together or even flying together, sharing rooms (sick pilgrims and helpers), helping and encouraging- walking together. “There will be lots of doing, but also time for sharing- reflecting, opening up. Make the most of the gaps- the times when even if you hardly know how to pray other people are praying with you and for you and carrying you along. Be aware of the prayers of Our Lady, and St Bernadette, and many pilgrims who have travelled to Lourdes before us.” Read Homily in full Mass Booklet Photo Gallery Lourdes Daily Schedule
Sunday 28 May 2023 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 1 Expand Welcome to Lourdes Opening Mass – Sunday The beginning of the Lourdes pilgrimage happens at different stages: leaving home, the journey itself and arrival in the town of Lourdes and then the opening liturgy of our pilgrimage. Today, the Church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit on this great Solemnity of Pentecost. We bring to this Mass the intentions of our pilgrimage: all that we bring as individuals and all that we bring as pilgrims together from the Archdiocese of Birmingham and beyond. So much to pray for, so many people that we represent here. Joyfully, we come on pilgrimage to pray, to do penance and to seek God’s blessing on our life’s journey. In a special way this year, we take up the Lourdes theme ‘…to build a chapel here’. This week, launched as we are from Pentecost, we reflect on our place in the Church, the People of God. As we do so, we ask for the Holy Spirit’s ongoing guidance for Pope Francis and the Synod Process and for our Diocesan Plan and Vision. Let us keep as the focus of our prayer throughout this week, our sick pilgrims and all those who come to Lourdes at this time with any particular need. We also celebrate the presence among us of so many young pilgrims and we ask God’s blessing on them as a sign of joy and hope on our pilgrimage. Today's Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley, and the Homily was given by Bishop David Evans. "The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord. Though Jesus had prepared the apostles for his resurrection at the same time as he had prepared them for his death, the apostles did not understand what he was talking about until they had become absolutely certain of his death and then could not doubt their eyes when they saw him standing before them, recognisably himself, in his glorious body." Read Homily in full After our Mass, there will be a first opportunity as a pilgrimage to walk through the Grotto, as our Diocesan Candle is placed alongside many other pilgrimage candles. It is always important to observe silence as we walk through the Grotto, a place of reflection and prayer. Photo Galleries Opening Mass Procession through the Grotto and lighting the Diocesan Candle
Monday 29 May 2023 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 2 Expand Mary, Mother of the Church Monday – Grotto Mass The Grotto is a central focus of Lourdes. It commemorates the place where Our Blessed Lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous and called her to pray and she said: Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here and that people should come in procession. Fulfilling the desire expressed by Our Lady to Bernadette, we have come in prayer to this Holy Place so associated with prayer and healing. By custom, we gather here for this Mass with other English-speaking pilgrims who are in Lourdes at this time, especially pilgrims from the Diocese of Middlesbrough and the Society of Our Lady of Lourdes. Today's Mass was celebrated by Bishop Terence Drainey, the Bishop of Middlesbrough. Throughout this Mass, think of the many prayer intentions you have brought from people at home, or those you wish to pray for and can tell, on your return, I remembered you at the Grotto this week. Photo Gallery Monday - Reconciliation Service 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. Mgr Timothy Menezes, Dean of St Chad's Cathedral, led today's Service. In his Homily he remembered Bishop David McGough, a much-loved participant of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes who recently passed away. It would be strange if Bishop David McGough were too far from our thoughts this week on the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage. Bishop David has been a part of this pilgrimage for many years and he has been a respected priest and bishop of our Archdiocese for over 50 years of ministry. A lot of people still remember Bishop David as their Parish Priest at Christ the King in Kingstanding in Birmingham and then for many years at Our Lady & All Saints in Stourbridge. Then as Episcopal Vicar and subsequently as Bishop with responsibility for the parishes of Staffordshire and the Black Country, it is quite possible that a good number of the young people on our pilgrimage were confirmed by Bishop David McGough. He died recently and he is missed this week. Read Homily in full During the Service many people took the opportunity to attend confession, and explore prayer stations developed by our young pilgrims. Photo Gallery Monday - Indoor Procession at the Rosary Basilica Due to inclement weather in Lourdes (rain, hail, thunder and lightning!) on Monday night, the Torchlight Procession was moved indoors to the Rosary Basilica. Although lit candles were not allowed it remained a very special occasion as hundreds and hundreds of pilgrims, from numerous countries, gathered in prayer to Our Lady. Young pilgrims from across our Diocesan schools played a key role in accompanying Mary as she was processed around the Basilica. Photo Gallery
Tuesday 30 May 2023 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 3 Expand Tuesday – Mass celebrating the work of the Lourdes Hospitalite and young people on our Pilgrimage Those who give their time freely this week and at other times of the year, to care for those who are sick, whether here in Lourdes or in other places. This Mass takes place in what is often known as the Underground Basilica, where each afternoon, the Blessed Sacrament Procession reaches it conclusion, and where on Sundays and Wednesdays in Lourdes, the International Mass is celebrated. Its purpose is to facilitate large gatherings in a most accessible way. This modern building is adorned with images of the Saints. Our Diocesan pilgrimage has also nurtured many young lives and we pray for the work of the Kenelm Youth Trust, for our schools and chaplaincies who are with us on Pilgrimage this year and for all young people in the Church: that we may recognise the youthfulness of our calling and see in our young pilgrims a sign of hope for the Church’s present and future. We thank God for the many young people whose lives have been shaped by the experience of volunteering and caring for sick pilgrims here in Lourdes. This Mass was celebrated by Bishop Stephen Wright and Fr Jeremy Howard, Pilgrimage Director, delivered the Homily. A number of people were also presented with three, five and 10 year medals for their continued service on the Lourdes Pilgrimage. A very special presentation was made to Kevin and Jane Goodyear, here this year as pilgrims. The couple have worked tirelessly for the Archdiocese on previous pilgrimages. Today they were both awarded the Pope's Benemerenti medal, for their service to the Catholic Church. As the presentation was made by Archbishop Bernard Longley the congregation broke out with cheers and applause. Photo Gallery Tuesday - Holy Hour and Anointing of the Sick This special liturgy takes place in the Rosary Basilica, at the heart of the domain area of the Lourdes shrine. We adore Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament and we witness the healing power of Christ in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for those among us who seek the Lord’s presence at a time of illness or enduring sickness. As this year we focus on the instruction ‘to build a chapel here…’, we shall be very aware of being in a place of beauty, celebrating God’s abiding love for us in the Eucharist and witnessing God’s healing power in the lives of our brothers and sisters on pilgrimage with us. Let us recognise in this time of prayer the role of medical professionals and carers in all settings. In moments of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, we enter into the timelessness and beauty of God’s presence to ask for assistance for our earthly pilgrim journey. Today's Holy Hour was celebrated by Fr Craig Szmidt and Fr David Hartley, Chaplain of the Sick whilst in Lourdes, gave the Homily. 'What a joy to be in Lourdes - Our Lady has brought us here to bless us'. Read Homily in full Photo Gallery
Wednesday 31 May 2023 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 4 Expand The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin May Wednesday – International Mass Thousands of people from across the world gathered for this morning's International Mass in the Underground Basilica. It was celebrated by Bishop Olivier de Germay, the Archbishop of Lyon. Many of our pilgrims attended with the First Reading, and a bidding prayer, given by Birmingham pilgrims. Archbishop Bernard, Bishop David, Bishop Steven and several of our clergy concelebrated. Photo Gallery 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. Bishop Stephen Wright gave an introduction and Lucas, programme lead at KYT, discussed the importance of St Bernadette. She listened to Mary - she 'rose up' and went out and told people what she'd seen. Lucas invited the audience to 'rise up, go and build a church'. "Let's go and share our experiences of pilgrimage." Read in full Photo Gallery
Thursday 1 June 2023 Lourdes Pilgrimage Day 5 Expand Thursday morning - Low and High Stations This morning pilgrims had the opportunity to participate in Low or High Stations of the Cross, walking the Way of the Cross. Despite the heavy rain a good number of pilgrims took part in the High Stations. At each Station we paused for a reading and reflection. Today's High Stations were led by members of the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) and other pilgrims. Photos can be found on our Facepook page Thursday afternoon – Closing Mass Already, we have reached the conclusion of our pilgrimage and we reflect on all that we have experienced through the grace of God and with our fellow pilgrims this week. This Mass is a Votive Mass of Blessed Dominic Barberi (1792-1849), the Italian Passionist Priest who received John Henry Newman into Full Communion with the Catholic Church and heard his first confession as a Catholic. This year marks the 60th anniversary of his Beatification by Pope St Paul VI. Following the Canonisation of St John Henry Newman, there is now a focus in the Archdiocese of Birmingham on praying for the Canonisation of the priest who received Newman into the Church. We began our pilgrimage on the Solemnity of Pentecost and, as we prepare to return home, we look forward to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, this weekend. As with any experience of ‘going away’ on pilgrimage or retreat, the returning home is as important: taking back to the ordinary routines of our life all that we have known here and transforming some of the situations that we might find challenging. It is quite normal that something of ourselves will remain here in Lourdes and something of Lourdes will return home with us. Thank God for his many blessings and for all that you have received on this pilgrimage. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit! Today's Closing Mass was celebrated by Bishop David Evans. The Homily was given by Archbishop Bernard Longley. After Mass the Diocesan Candle, which was blessed earlier in the week, was placed with all other candles in a dedicated area of the Sanctuary. Pupils from St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy were involved in the small ceremony. A candle from Cardinal Newman Catholic School was also lit. Homily Archbishop Bernard gave the homily: "It’s our last full day together in Lourdes - and although a part of us is looking forward to seeing our homes again, yet we also feel some sadness at the thought of leaving Lourdes and saying goodbye to one another for the time being. It has been a wonderful pilgrimage and as we take our leave of Lourdes we want to thank our Lady for the welcome we have received here and for all the friends, new and old, who have shared these precious days with us. "We have shared so many experiences during the last five days, storing up many memories - the things we will be able to recall over the coming years - just like the stories we have been telling each other since last Saturday, at mealtimes or over a coffee or as we have walked together to the sanctuary or back to our hotels." Read full homily Photo Gallery Thursday night - Marian Torchlight Procession Tonight the Archdiocese of Birmingham had the honour of jointly leading the Torchlight Procession with another diocese. 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 all as the pilgrimage draws to a close. Photo Gallery