Join Lourdes at Home – 31st July – 5th August

Thursday 9th July 2020

The rescheduling of our 88th Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes was a decision that was taken with a heavy heart but with the safety of our pilgrims and volunteers at the forefront of our minds. Over the past few months each and every one of us has had to make sacrifices for the safety of ourselves and those around us; but we have also
witnessed great efforts to create a sense of normality and community.

In keeping with this sense of family and community, the Salford Lourdes pilgrimage coordination team have elected to present ‘Lourdes at Home’. We shall mark the time that we should have been present at Our Lady’s Grotto in Lourdes with a programme of livestreamed services from Bishop John and a selection of reflective videos and inspiring messages, whilst all the time keeping in prayer the sick and vulnerable in our diocese who are at the heart of all that we do in Lourdes.

We believe that it is important to recognise that we are not in Lourdes, as we wanted to be this year, but by marking our absence through prayer, reflection, and a connection to our Salford Lourdes ‘family’ we can start preparing for the Summer of 2021 and our rescheduled pilgrimage.

We hope next year that we will see increased numbers from our diocese as we answer Our Lady’s call during the apparitions to ‘come here in procession.’

Assistant pilgrimage director, Rev. Dr. Gerard Fieldhouse-Byrne comments: “During this time when we should be in Lourdes we are reminded of all the wonderful ties that unite us as the Salford Lourdes family. Let’s use this time to remember and pray for each other so that the spirit of Lourdes lives on throughout this year. Absence makes the heart grow fonder! In a special way we ask our Blessed Mother to help us prepare well for our return
to Lourdes in 2021. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this ‘Lourdes at Home’ week. God Bless.”

Please join us for ‘Lourdes at Home’, engage in the community spirit, and begin both your own mental and spiritual preparations for next year’s pilgrimage and our joyful return to our spiritual home in Lourdes.

Full details of how to join in the programme can be found at www.salfordlourdes.co.uk.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Stay with us, Lord, on our journey.