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Hello
everyone, we all arrived home safely from our annual pilgrimage to
Lourdes, at which the theme for this year was “The Lord is my Rock”.
The Welsh Group Since the
Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Bernadette, millions of
pilgrims, healthy and otherwise, have their heart set on carrying out
three important actions while they are in Lourdes; to drink of the
spring, to wash themselves there and to light a candle to prolong their
prayer and to touch the rock of the Grotto. The idea
of a Grotto or a Cave occurs frequently in the Bible; it was where
people sought refuge in time of persecution; was the place where they
came to revive themselves, like Elijah. But, it was, above all, the
place where, on two occasions, God made known His love and tenderness.
Jesus was born in a cave in Bethlehem. Later, the body of Jesus, after
His death on the cross, was placed in a cave at the foot of Golgotha.
From there He rose gloriously on Easter morning. To come to pray in the
Grotto of Massabielle is an opportunity to revive yourself spiritually,
to get back to the basics of our faith in God made man and his death on
the cross for each of us. To place your hand on the rock, to lean on the
rock, is to simply say to the Lord, as hundreds of thousands before you
have said, “The Lord is my rock. He is my rampart, my citadel”. Just as
the profit Isaiah proclaimed “Who is like the Lord our God? There is no
other rock but him”. On 25th February 1858, Our Blessed Lady appeared to
St. Bernadette in a niche in the rock at the Grotto of Massabielle.
Pilgrims continue to go to the Grotto to drink and wash themselves in
the spring water from the rock as St. Bernadette was told to do by Our
Lady.
We had left Swansea at 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday 28th July with feelings of
happiness and anticipation. The new youth members had settled in well
with our experienced team as they had met at various meetings and get
togethers held throughout the year. We were joined by Dr. Alison Owen, a
previous youth member, as our youth doctor. Mass was celebrated on the
train for the sick and youth. After a long and tiring journey by coach
and train we arrived at Lourdes on Wednesday afternoon. After settling
the sick at the Accuiel St. Frai hospital we retired to the hotel for a
well deserved nights sleep.
One of the Pilgrims Our opening
Mass was celebrated at the Grotto with the dioceses of Shrewsbury and
Lancaster. A wonderful event as this was, for some, their first glimpse
of the Grotto and the statue of Our Blessed Lady. After lunch Fr. Jason
led a very interesting walking tour of Lourdes pointing out pertinent
venues in the life of St. Bernadette. Also in the afternoon the sick
were taken in procession through the Grotto so that they could run their
hands along the rock, followed by a Service of Water. Our first day came
to a close after the International Youth Mass at St. Beardedness
Basilica which was concelebrated by Bishop Mark Jabalé.
Working with the Sick - 1 Friday
morning saw us making the Stations of the Cross followed by a
concelebrated Mass in Cote Carmel, at which Archbishop Peter Smith was
the chief celebrant, and during which the anointing of the sick also
took place. At 9 p.m. we took part in the Torch light Procession, each
holding our candles high and singing many hymns as the procession snaked
its way around the Domain to the Rosary Basilica steps. A wonderful
sight to see.
Working with the Sick - 2 On
Saturday we all went to Cite St. Pierre for Mass concelebrated by
Archbishop John Aloysius Ward and other priests on our pilgrimage; after
which we had a ceremony in which different coloured bars (badges) were
presented to youth and workers who had given service to the Welsh
National Pilgrimage for 3,5,7 and 10 years. This was followed by a
picnic lunch in the sunny, peaceful countryside setting where sick and
youth had a wonderful time enjoying each others company and joining in
at the sing-song. On our return we took part in the Blessed Sacrament
procession from the Adoration Chapel to the Underground Basilica.
The Party After dinner all the
sick and the youth had a brilliant party in the hospital, the sick
joining in all the celebrations with singing and dancing. This was a
great way to celebrate John-James’ (Team Leader) 21st birthday - one he
won’t forget I imagine.
The International Youth Mass was held on Sunday morning in the
Underground Basilica where pilgrims from all over the world gathered in
unity to celebrate the Holy Mass. The sick visited Lac de Lourdes in the
afternoon and enjoyed the scenery and an ice-cream. After dinner we had
Holy Hour at St. Joseph’s Chapel concelebrated by Fr. Mark Rowles.
In the Hospital
Monday morning
began with a Penitential Service at Chapelle Notre Dame celebrated by
Fr. Jason Jones. After the service the sick were taken to bathe at the
Baths. Our closing ceremony took place at 4p.m. at Cote Carmel. Mass was
truly a musical celebration as Fr. Jason sang throughout, our youth
played their instruments in accompaniment, and Ross Matthews had the
honour of playing the main pipe organ. What a birthday present for Ross.
He played beautifully and goose pimples erupted on many of the
congregation as we sat in awe. Well done Ross!
We left the hospital and hotel after breakfast on Tuesday 3rd August and
arrived in Swansea at 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning - tired and aching but
with a huge sense of achievement, pride and spiritual fullness.
A big thank you to the fundraisers who worked so hard to make it
possible for us all to go to Lourdes. Work goes on behind the scenes
throughout the year for our pilgrimage to become a reality. And huge
thanks to all youth members for their unwavering dedication and
tenderness in caring for the sick. There were many first timers joining
us this year and I’d like to congratulate them on their hard work, team
spirit and care of the sick.
As we all go our separate ways until next time, may God bless you and
keep you in His loving care.
“The Lord is my rock. He is my rampart my citadel”.
God is the rock that I can lean on.
He is my rampart where I can find refuge.
He is my refuge and my salvation like the crevice of the rock where I
come to and shelter. Claire-Louise
Some Reflections
from the Menevia Youth to Lourdes
on the 2004 Welsh National Pilgrimage
before leaving Lourdes “The whole week was an
amazing experience which I will never forget. Enjoyment of the holiday
overcame the tiredness; I felt that I have made a new group of friends
and enjoyed spending time with the sick. The whole week was an
emotional, moving and worthwhile experience.”
“It was different from last year but I enjoyed it just as much, everyone
has been great, the Youth, Sick and everyone else. Can’t wait to come
back. It’s a shame we can’t stay out a bit longer.”
“It’s made me stronger and I realised more the needs of the elderly. I
will tell my mates they should consider coming because it has been a
brilliant week!”
“This year surpassed last year in every way!”
“The grotto was amazing, especially at night. It was really emotional
and moving. When someone was crying everyone offered that person
comfort, which was very nice. I feel like I know everyone so much better
and I will definitely return, hopefully with the same group of amazing
people.”
“As a whole my second year has been a more spiritual experience than
social (as in year one). I hope I can take it home with me.”
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