Walking with Mary: Our Lourdes Pilgrimage

This weekend we again share some photographs and reflections from our Ellesmere Port pilgrims. This year’s pilgrimage, the Sanctuary of Lourdes opened a new three-year spiritual journey, based on the Gospel according to Saint Luke. Three years to walk with Mary, guided by her faith, her hope and her praise. In 2027 the theme will be The Visitation and in 2028 the theme will be The Magnificat and 170 years of apparitions. 

 

During our pilgrimage in 2026 we began the gateway to this journey setting us on the threshold of the Annunciation, where it all began. “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). These words which the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary are not just a passage from the Bible they are an invitation to every pilgrim who comes to Lourdes. An invitation to welcome, to listen and to dare to say “yes” to something that can transform our lives. 

 

The invitation is there for us all; to dare to say “yes”. It would be wonderful if more of you good parishioners and more of our young people, could join together with Fr Godlove, Deacon Tony and pilgrims from all over our Diocese and the whole Universal Church next year. Maybe we could organise our own coach with no overnight travel but with a stopover enroute? The cost would be around £900 per person for all travel, accommodation and meals. An idea could be to put a little money aside each week in a savings box to fund the trip. Also, we could all join together in participating in fund raising ideas throughout the year, to assist with the costs for our youth, who wouldn’t normally be able to join us. If you think you may be able to join with us next year on pilgrimage, either by air or by our parish coach please register your interest with Fr Godlove, Deacon Tony or the parish office, and we will assess in the coming weeks if there is enough interest to enable us to go forward with running a parish pilgrimage journey to Lourdes.

 

Pat, a Parishioner writes: 

 

I have just returned from my 15th visit to Lourdes and with a feeling of spirituality that makes me want to go back. Despite the 30 hour journey. The intense feeling when I go into the Domain, especially the Grotto, where "a little bit of heaven touched earth". It makes you very humble when you see other pilgrims, who have such disabilities and have so much faith, it puts your own aches and pains into perspective.  Also, the youth who help push us old crocks around. The bad press young people get these days, maybe some newspapers should send reporters to Lourdes for a week. They are so caring, they show so much respect, and they make you feel very special. It was again, a wonderful experience and I would recommend that everyone should visit at least once.

 

Kath, a Parishioner writes: 

 

Our pilgrimage to Lourdes was very spiritual and uplifting. It’s always such a joy to catch up with fellow pilgrims from previous years. Our youth did a wonderful job looking after our special pilgrims. They were always so patient, caring and cheerful.