100 Years of Lourdes

Today, our diocese celebrates a major milestone as we mark the 100 year anniversary of the very first Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

On the morning of 18th July 1924, the first Salford pilgrims began the 1000 mile journey to Lourdes by train, departing from Victoria station.

The handbook of 1924 records the wonder of that first pilgrimage, as well as the dedication of the early nursing team – a legacy that has lived on throughout the 100 years of the pilgrimage.

It reads: “That wonderous week, that week at Lourdes! – all seems like a beautiful dream […]

“The nurses were beyond praise in their pathetic devotion of the sick, night and day, with barely time to eat their meals. 

“No human reward could repay such devotion of love.”

Next week, people from across the diocese will once again set out on this much-loved pilgrimage and we invite you to remember our pilgrims, volunteers, nursing and medial team, and entire diocesan family as we celebrate this landmark anniversary.

Prayer for the Centenary

To mark the centenary of our diocesan pilgrimage in a special way, Bishop John has written a prayer, which we invite you to pray with us during this centenary year.

Lourdes at Home

The centenary of our diocesan pilgrimage is a wonderful occasion for our diocese and we’d love for each and every person to feel part of our centenary celebrations, whether you are travelling with us to Lourdes this year, or not.

As such, we will be sharing a range of resources with you over the coming days, inviting you to join with our pilgrims in prayer. Please stay tuned on our website to find out more.

We are particularly pleased to invite you to our Pre-Departure Mass at St Patrick’s, Collyhurst, at 5.30pm this Sunday, and a special Stations of the Cross at Salford Cathedral Temporary Church at 4pm on Sunday 28th July.

We give thanks to Our Lady of Lourdes for 100 years of enduring service and devotion of the people of our diocese in Lourdes, and entrust all our prayers and intentions to her as we prepare for this wonderful celebration.