My Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The journey to Lourdes was very long, but it did not matter as we just
talked with all the people we knew, and thought excitedly about the
week ahead.
The coach drivers got us to Lourdes mid-morning, and my first impression was of a busy town set near a picturesque mountain range. The streets are lined with hotels, cafés and souvenir shops. HCPT groups and other pilgrims tread the pavements, enjoying the atmosphere of Lourdes, or just having a good time.
The hotel could be considered favourably against most English hotels of similar star rating. The dining area was set out beautifully, with a window lining one wall, filling the room with light. The hotel rooms were spacious, with an en suite shower room and lockable wardrobes. There were plenty of other hotel guests, including two IHCPT groups, one of which we got on very well with.
We went to a lot of different masses, including the HCPT Mass, which was hosted by the Caribbean HCPT groups, and took place in the magnificent underground basilica. The basilica is so large that it is virtually impossible to see from one end to the other, and the walls are lined with huge pictures of saints.
I was particularly impressed by the Stations of the Cross. It is a steep uphill climb, but the shining depictions of Christ’s final day alive certainly made it worthwhile. The statues were beautiful and imposing at the same time, and must stir emotion in the thousands who tread that path every year. We learnt a lot about the story of Lourdes and about the young saint who saw Mary appear amongst the rocks in the grotto. Bernadette was around the same age as many of us, yet we could not understand what it must have been like to not have had much of an education.
We were given the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation with Father Kevin Hennessey of St Mary’s, Swindon and another priest.
The atmosphere in Lourdes is wonderful, because everyone is so happy and yet reverent. Everyone understands the importance of touching the stone in the grotto, or washing in and drinking the water of the spring.
One of the most remarkable things about Lourdes was the people. I remember seeing a disabled girl in a wheelchair that could not walk, and had limited speech. What was amazing was that she could draw the most wonderful pictures of all the Looney Tunes characters, possibly better than the person who drew them in the first place! We also met people from HCPT group 185, the group from Swindon, and we celebrated one of the children’s 18th birthday.
When the Pope died, everyone was confused, because the French news had got it wrong, and said that he died at five o’clock the previous day. When everyone was sure he had died, everyone was very thoughtful. One person mentioned something about how remarkable it was that he was the closest living man to God.
We had the most amazing time in Lourdes, and I would recommend anyone to join in the experience at least once in your life.
Alex Torregrosa-Jones
The coach drivers got us to Lourdes mid-morning, and my first impression was of a busy town set near a picturesque mountain range. The streets are lined with hotels, cafés and souvenir shops. HCPT groups and other pilgrims tread the pavements, enjoying the atmosphere of Lourdes, or just having a good time.
The hotel could be considered favourably against most English hotels of similar star rating. The dining area was set out beautifully, with a window lining one wall, filling the room with light. The hotel rooms were spacious, with an en suite shower room and lockable wardrobes. There were plenty of other hotel guests, including two IHCPT groups, one of which we got on very well with.
We went to a lot of different masses, including the HCPT Mass, which was hosted by the Caribbean HCPT groups, and took place in the magnificent underground basilica. The basilica is so large that it is virtually impossible to see from one end to the other, and the walls are lined with huge pictures of saints.
I was particularly impressed by the Stations of the Cross. It is a steep uphill climb, but the shining depictions of Christ’s final day alive certainly made it worthwhile. The statues were beautiful and imposing at the same time, and must stir emotion in the thousands who tread that path every year. We learnt a lot about the story of Lourdes and about the young saint who saw Mary appear amongst the rocks in the grotto. Bernadette was around the same age as many of us, yet we could not understand what it must have been like to not have had much of an education.
We were given the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation with Father Kevin Hennessey of St Mary’s, Swindon and another priest.
The atmosphere in Lourdes is wonderful, because everyone is so happy and yet reverent. Everyone understands the importance of touching the stone in the grotto, or washing in and drinking the water of the spring.
One of the most remarkable things about Lourdes was the people. I remember seeing a disabled girl in a wheelchair that could not walk, and had limited speech. What was amazing was that she could draw the most wonderful pictures of all the Looney Tunes characters, possibly better than the person who drew them in the first place! We also met people from HCPT group 185, the group from Swindon, and we celebrated one of the children’s 18th birthday.
When the Pope died, everyone was confused, because the French news had got it wrong, and said that he died at five o’clock the previous day. When everyone was sure he had died, everyone was very thoughtful. One person mentioned something about how remarkable it was that he was the closest living man to God.
We had the most amazing time in Lourdes, and I would recommend anyone to join in the experience at least once in your life.
Alex Torregrosa-Jones
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