Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Posted on 03 July 2012

The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes under the leadership of Bishop Kieran O’Reilly returned to Shannon Airport last weekend. Almost five hundred pilgrims including 43 young people from the parishes and secondary schools of the Diocese participated in this years journey.

In the opening Mass of the pilgrimage Bishop O’Reilly reflected on the great Hymn of Mary, the Magnificat which is a prayer both of thanksgiving and petition reminding us of the need to count our blessings and enter into the spirit of service and care that are the hallmarks of our visit to Lourdes. As always the sick pilgrims were central to the journey of the whole group and were the focus of the service and care of which the Bishop spoke. Once again this year he led the walking pilgrimage to Bartres in the company of the young volunteers. It has proven to be a remarkable opportunity for these young people to grow in faith and strengthen the bonds of communion with their bishop.