Pope Francis has dedicated 2024 to being a Year of Prayer. Pilgrimage is a very particular form of prayer, a time when we don’t only speak words to God, but act with our bodies to come to a particular place. Lourdes has been a place of special prayer for over 160 years, since Our Lady appeared to Saint Bernadette in 1858. One of the messages Our Lady spoke was ‘tell the priests to build a chapel and that people should come here in procession.’
Not only Saint Bernadette, but each one of us responds to this invitation when we come in pilgrimage to Lourdes, and give glory to God through the prayer of our presence. Of course, we’ll also say many prayers in Lourdes, light candles, bring intentions to the Grotto, and spend time with Our Lord in Mass and before the Blessed Sacrament. But never forget that at the heart of our pilgrimage is a form of prayer when we desire to become physically closer to God through coming to this holy place, this Shrine of Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes.
May this year’s pilgrimage be a timer of blessings for each one of us, and may we bring before the Lord our prayers and our presence, as his Blessed Mother continues to invite us to do.
The Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage will be held between Monday 15th and Friday 19th July.
Bookings organised via Tangney Tours. Prices start from £819 (by air, full board); for more information contact Tangney Tours, or simon.gillespie@dicoeseofnottingham.uk
Calling all vocalists and instrumentalists... Lourdes 2024 offers an opportunity to join our brand-new Lourdes Music Group. Working under the direction of Gregory Treloar and Chris Davis from the Diocesan Music Department, you will be instrumental in proving musical accompaniment throughout the well-attended pilgrimage this July. Individual booking is necessary, either through Tangney Tours or through your School (for school students and accompanying staff). Click here to register as part of the Music Group.
NDCYS will be joining the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, facilitating a group of young people who wouldn’t be able to go otherwise (Young People in Years 10-13 - or college - who don't attend a catholic secondary school). The youth section will travel earlier, departing on Saturday 13th July from Nottingham.
Please contact bookings@ndcys.com for more information about this opportunity! If you or your child does attend a catholic school, please make contact with the school to enquire about existing arrangements and opportunities.
Last year our "Lourdes From Home" initiative allowed hundreds of viewers to join the Lourdes Pilgrimage via live-stream and email updates, sharing photographs and good news from across the water. This year it's back, with more opportunities to engage.
Registrants have the option to receive a physical 'Pilgrim Pack' posted to one's own home, complete with:
More details can be obtained by contacting Naomi or Liz at communications@dioceseofnottingham.uk
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