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 service to have their hands blessed for whatever ministry they may be involved in.

The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage is returning to Lourdes from Saturday 27 May to Friday 2 June under the leadership of His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David Evans.

Around 500 pilgrims are joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage with many other groups meeting up there, taking the numbers up to around 600.

Those attending include children and young adults from schools, parishes and youth groups, called to serve. Plus a team from the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT).

The pilgrimage theme this year is “…to build a chapel here…”.

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

Music at the Blessing of Hands Mass was led by Jo Boyce, of CJM Music. She was thanked and applauded for 25 years of leading music on the Lourdes pilgrimage as she now steps back.

Please pray for all those involved in this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes, as they will be praying for you.

Follow the Lourdes Pilgrimage on our website and by using the hashtag #Brum2Lourdes on social media.

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