An account of this year’s Pilgrimage by
Mary Freeman
Secretary, Killaloe Diocesan Pilgrimage
For four hundred and fifty people from the Diocese of Killaloe the 26th of June was a long awaited day, it was the day of departure for the 55th consecutive Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. For some of these people it was their first pilgrimage to Lourdes which is always very special, for others it was a return visit and for a number of our pilgrims it would be their last visit. Each person in Shannon Airport that morning was looking forward to experiencing Lourdes. For some Lourdes means prayer, for others Lourdes means the sick, for others still Lourdes means miracles, or again Lourdes means Bernadette. All are true, and yet at the same time this is not the full story. Words and pictures help to tell the story, but to really understand, one must experience Lourdes.
The Sanctuary of Lourdes is built around the Grotto where Our Lady revealed herself to Bernadette in 1858. The Grotto is a perpetual place of uninterrupted prayer. The words which Mary entrusted to Bernadette are very simple – “Go and drink at the spring and wash in it. Tell the priests to have a chapel built. I wish people to come here in procession.” For all, Lourdes is a place of spiritual growth. On entering the Sanctuary, one can find inner silence, get rid of excess baggage and concentrate on what is essential in prayer. Mary and Bernadette lead us to God.
During the five days in Lourdes the Killaloe pilgrims prayed at the Grotto, participated in celebrations of Mass, took part in the Penitential Rite, Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic Healing Hour, Anointing of the Sick, Eucharistic Procession and Marian Torchlight Procession. Each gathering was meaningful and special.
Bishop Kieran O’Reilly led the pilgrimage with pilgrimage Director Fr. Tom Ryan and accompanied by 13 priests from the Diocese and, in his homily at the opening Mass in the Rosary Basilica, Bishop O’Reilly connected the pastoral theme of 2011- “With Bernadette, praying the Our Father” with our presence in Lourdes. Bishop Kieran urged us all to pray for a greater understanding of God’s plan for each of us; to trust the Lord – “Let Thy will be done.” These words became a reality in Lourdes through acts of charity and true love, especially in the care of the sick, in the exchange of smiles, in informal chats, and in the rich fabric of teamwork.
During the Penitential Rite Fr. Colm Hogan urged us not to be harsh on ourselves or others and we had the opportunity to reconnect with God. Fr. Brendan Moloney in a thought provoking homily, before anointing the sick, reminded us that we are all on the stairway to Heaven. Each of us may be called to be a companion to another person at some time or other and in return each of us will need the support of another person too sometime. We prayed for the grace to be able to give and receive such help.
A very special experience for the youth on this Pilgrimage was the walk to Bartrès led by Bishop Kieran. This walk in many ways mirrored the walk to Emmaus when the disciples recognised Our Lord in the breaking of Bread. We walked along roads and through the fields, stopping at the place where Bernadette watched over the flock of sheep. In the local church we listened to the story of what Bartrès was about in the life of Bernadette. We listened to a Gospel passage and then prayed that we would always have good people in our lives to support and comfort us.
During the Mass on Thursday, Fr. Maurice Harmon inaugurated the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Dublin from the 10th to the 17th of June 2012. We prayed that through the grace of the Eucharist our church in Ireland will be rekindled. The Lourdes Pilgrimage is successful due to the dedication and commitment of many outstanding volunteers. All of these various groups of people are links in the chain of that makes the Killaloe Diocesan Pilgrimage a wonderful success. Their enthusiasm and dedication is second to none. What certainly touches most in Lourdes is the place given to the sick. The sick were cared for in the Accueil Notre Dame, near the Grotto, by Dr. Martin Fitzgerald from Tulla. Expert nursing care was provided by a wonderful team of nurses led by Michael Daly, Feakle and Teresa Nash, Barefield. The daily practical arrangements were organised by Michael Mullally, Roscrea and a group of hard working Brancardiers – P.J.& Séamus Cusack, Matt Hanley, Séan Baker, Gerry Kealy and Tom Moyles. The kitchen and dining room of the Accueil was expertly managed by a group of diligent, efficient ladies- Mary Murphy, Freda Cullinan, Anne Slattery, Kathleen Austin and Catherine O’Connor.
A team of forty two young people helped the sick go to and from the various ceremonies. They befriended the sick pilgrims and formed memories which will last a lifetime. These young people went about their daily duties in a sensitive and understanding way. Fr. Fergal O’Neill, Ennis was the Director of the Youth Section and he was assisted by five enthusiastic leaders – Deirdre Convey, Ballynacally, Fr. Ger Fitzgerald, Castlconnell, Michael Geraghty, Birr, Maria Kelly, Shannon and Tracy Murray, Mullagh. Many of these young people shared their talents with us all in a moving Holy Hour co-ordinated by Deirdre Convey. Through prayer, music, song, reflection and poetry and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament we were given an opportunity to meet Our Healing Lord. The ceremonies each day were greatly enhanced by the music and song of the Silvermines Folk Choir, under the direction of Sheila Chadwick. Their beautiful singing at each gathering uplifted us all.
Each person on the pilgrimage experienced something special. We talked to God, we talked to Our Blessed Mother, we talked to each other and we made time to talk to ourselves! We listened too. We saw the rock, we bathed in the water, we walked in procession, we saw bright sunshine and felt the rain. Now we return home and take our place again on that stairway to Heaven. We are refreshed and renewed and very grateful for the opportunity to be in Lourdes at this time. As one pilgrim uttered before leaving the Grotto of Lourdes- “This pilgrimage has been a unique experience and has taught me to appreciate the smaller things in life – actions speak louder than words!”
We leave the final words to St. Bernadette who said – “I am here to tell you what happened. I am not here to make you believe.”
The Autumn pilgrimage to Lourdes leaves from Shannon Airport on Sunday 2nd October returning on Friday 7th October. At €650pps it is the cheapest pilgrimage to Lourdes out of Ireland this year. Application forms are available in parishes.
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