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Over 700 pilgrims have taken part in the Diocese of Westminster’s 22nd annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, which started on Monday 25 July and ended on Saturday 30 July 2011.

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and Bishop Alan Hopes, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, led the pilgrimage which also included 24 nurses, 2 doctors and around 120 youth helpers known as ‘redcaps’ on pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage theme

The theme of the 2011 pilgrimage was 'The Our Father'. In a message to all those on pilgrimage Archbishop Nichols said: 'the Lord's Prayer is central to the way we pray. This is so because it is the prayer that Jesus himself taught us. It is therefore the very best of prayers, the one that comes to us as 'divine reaching.' The Our Father therefore, has first place in our hearts.

In the opening Mass for the pilgrimage which was held in the Rosary Basilica on Monday 25 July,  Bishop Alan Hopes referred to the theme saying:

“During the week we will reflect on the Lord's Prayer, Amen. Thy Will be done. This prayer is at the heart of Lourdes.   Bernadette did as she was asked even though it caused her to suffer. She was asked to come to the grotto for 15 days. She was instructed to wash in the stream even though there was only mud. And she was asked to eat the herbs growing there. She did it all. This is her 'fiat' her 'amen.' Only Our Lady was able to see what would grow from this.  We are part of that procession, because a simple peasant girl said 'amen' to God's holy mother. Let this 'amen' be at the heart of our pilgrimage. Let us say this in union with Bernadette and Our Lady. It may not be easy but we will be given the consolation of the One who knows us and loved us beyond anything that we can imagine.”

Lourdes Blog

You can read about the pilgirms experiences here on the blog or by clicking on the link below. 

If you would like to find out more about the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, then you can watch our video 'Lourdes: A Place of Pilgrimage' by clicking here or by clicking on the link below.