Courtney McGrailMáirín McCutcheon shares her experience of a diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes
For many people, acknowledging and experiencing their faith is a matter of private practice. However, a burst of faithful energy surrounds the joy that is experienced yearly in Lourdes. From young to old, ill to healthy, Lourdes holds something special for all and is often described by the youth as “something that you can’t explain to your friends, you just have to experience it yourself”.
My first trip to Lourdes as a helper in 2010 was not something I was bursting to tell my friends about initially. In fact, I kept it relatively quiet until I got there (not really sure of what to expect) and found 47 other young people who had travelled to Lourdes as helpers. My best friend and I had a fantastic time, made new friends, helped the assisted pilgrims on the trip and experienced the special wonder and awe that surrounds this holy shrine.
I returned to Lourdes for my fourth time this year and since 2013 have been returning yearly as a youth leader.
Caring staff
This year marked the 59th anniversary of the Killaloe Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. From beginning to end, this pilgrimage offered a fruitful experience to all the pilgrims. Within this short, five-day period, 400 pilgrims experienced the joy that surrounds the Marian shrine of Lourdes. Among them were assisted pilgrims, youth helpers, youth leaders, medical and caring staff and many priests of the diocese. Pilgrims were delighted to welcome our newly-ordained priest Fr Michael Geraghty from Birr along with his proud parents, Tom and Nora, and together we all celebrated this year’s pilgrimage theme which was, ‘The Joy of Mission’.
At the end of June three flights left Shannon and headed for Lourdes. Upon arrival, the pilgrims were greeted by glorious sunshine and high temperatures as Lourdes experienced a heat-wave that granted us a stifling 32 degrees upon arrival. Given the Irish climate, we were excited to see the sunshine!
Canon Brendan O’Donoghue welcomed everyone on the pilgrimage at the opening Mass and Inagh Kilnamona Parish Choir provided uplifting music. As the day progressed, pilgrims had the opportunity to go to the baths and the youth helpers brought the assisted pilgrims from the hospital to ensure that everyone had the chance to avail of this opportunity. In the afternoon, we had the Blessed Sacrament procession in the enormous underground basilica.
Despite the fact that Lourdes may be perceived to be a holy ‘spend-all-your-time-on-your-knees’ pilgrimage, it does include many enjoyable social activities to help everyone bond and make new friends. Saturday night was a late one for all as the choir provided an enjoyable session for the assisted pilgrims in the hospital while the youth helpers, along with their nine leaders went to a nearby carnival to get to know each other a little better.
Sunday began with Mass at the grotto, the place where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858. For many pilgrims this is the most special Mass of the entire pilgrimage and as the sun shone brightly we were led in the celebration by Bishop emeritus Willie Walsh. In his sermon the bishop particularly engaged the youth as he spoke of the young people who lost their lives in the Berkeley disaster a few weeks ago. He urged the young people of our diocese to live life to the full and appreciate every day that we have. In the afternoon we assembled once again for our Penitential Rite. This was organised and led by Cora Guinane, a youth leader from the parish of Clarecastle.
Agenda
As the temperatures crept higher, we faced a busy agenda on Monday which began with the ‘Stations of the Cross’ at 10am. In the afternoon, we travelled uphill to the City of the Poor where Fr Michael Geraghty celebrated his first Mass in Lourdes and it was the perfect setting for the anointing of the sick. A Eucharist Healing Hour was held in the evening led by Fr Ger Jones.
As we faced the hottest day of the pilgrimage, we celebrated our final outdoor Mass at St Bernadette’s altar, outside the Rosary Basilica on Tuesday. The Mass was led by Fr Fergal O’Neill who reflected on the pilgrimage theme, ‘The Joy of Mission’.
After a wonderful few days spent in Lourdes, we gathered with thankful hearts for our final farewell ceremony in the underground basilica. Led by Fr Tom Ryan and Canon Michael McLoughlin, we reflected on our pilgrimage and the journey we had made. Bernadette’s story encapsulated the theme of ‘The Joy of Mission’ and the symbols presented reminded us of the gift of life and the importance of living life to the full. To mark the end of our journey, the Pilgrimage Candle was lit by Moira Quinlan of Silvermines parish, aged 93, along with her daughter Geraldine Dunne and granddaughter Miriam Dunne.
At midnight, the youth helpers and leaders met at the grotto to reflect privately on their journey. Time was taken to light candles, pray and place petitions. Almost each young person left the grotto in tears and one helper described the journey as an “unforgettable, inspiring and absolutely amazing experience”. Her description of Lourdes vividly echoes my own experience.
*Máirín McCutcheon is from the parish of Silvermines in the Killaloe diocese.