By Pat Murphy

 

July is the month of preparation for the annual Liverpool Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Maybe I am getting older, but this year, and indeed years in general, somehow seemed to have sped up since the Covid epidemic. For the dozens of pilgrims who are part of the hospitalité group, it’s time to get the blue T shirts out, yellow T shirts for the youth pilgrimage, and pale blue for the music group. It’s an easy way of knowing who is who in Lourdes. 

Preparation for the annual pilgrimage goes on all year, and we are so very grateful to the good folk who meet regularly to arrange the full programme of services and events whilst we are in Lourdes. I try to attend all (or nearly all) of them, opening and closing the “Liverpool Lourdes shop” around the timetable. 

I have travelled to Lourdes many times, but this year, a first for me, I am travelling by coach. It’ll be an early morning start and coach to Dover, a short ferry crossing, and journey through the night, before hopefully arriving in Lourdes mid-morning, the day most pilgrims will arrive. A long journey, but I am looking forward to it. 

We, as 21st century pilgrims, do have it quite easy flying to pilgrimage destinations, with comfortable accommodation, and having everything at our fingertips. I admire greatly pilgrims who walk or cycle to Santiago de Compostela. It’s a tough journey, involving staying in modest hostels. I think back to our forefathers walking to destinations such as Walsingham, Canterbury and beyond. So if it’s not as comfortable, or I am tired arriving in Lourdes, that is part of my pilgrimage this year. Regardless, I know I will enjoy the journey with some lovely fellow pilgrims as travelling companions, and I know once I arrive at our familiar destination the tiredness will disappear. 

My first point of call is always the grotto, even only for a few minutes. I have to say hello to Our Lady, thank her for a safe journey – and let her know “Liverpool has arrived.” It’s then busy until the evening, when it’s time to relax and meet up with fellow pilgrims; old and new faces, friends we have never met. Being a pilgrim in the 21st century is part of life’s journey for me and my journey of faith.

 
For those who cannot visit Lourdes this year but wish to be part of the pilgrimage, our departure Mass is at the Cathedral on Sunday 19 July, when you can bring your petitions for us to place at the grotto. 

A safe journey to all who are travelling. 

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.