The Diocesan Youth Service organises a team of young people who go out to Lourdes and assist the Diocesan Pilgrimage. As they wear distinctive red shirts they are known (not surprisingly) as the 'redshirts' They are keeping us up to date with the pilgrimage. The days are in reverse order so that the most recent is first.
Day 7: Tuesday
A shared mass with Salford at the Grotto meant an early start for all pilgrims. After the mass and some lunch, the pilgrims enjoyed an afternoon off while the YSG went to the City of the Poor for a picnic and Reconciliation service. There was little time for rest however as the group were needed by 5.00pm to present a talk on Confirmation. This was well received by the 100 or so people who attended and many were moved to tears after hearing testimonies from the youth. The talk also involved several dramas and songs with some young people give their interpretation of various bible passages.
Party night followed with YSG members joining some of the hotels and Acceuil to sing and join in with the party fun.
Day 6: Monday
Today, 31st July, is the 450th anniversary of the death of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. A&B has the privilege of sharing Lourdes this week with 10,000 people who follow the Ignatian way, laypeople and priests from all over the world. The prayer we wish to share with you is by St Ignatius:
“ Dear Jesus, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve:
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To work and not to seek for rest;
To labour and not to ask for any reward,
Except that of knowing that I am doing your holy will.”
Here in Lourdes, we are seeing a lot of service with helpers not counting the cost, and we pray that this spirit will continue when we get back home.
This was also a very emotional day for all pilgrims as the whole diocese gathered in the underground Basilica for the Anointing of the Sick. It was a special and moving time for all involved and everyone was on hand to support and comfort all that needed it.
The afternoon was spent again at the underground Basilica for the Blessed Sacrament. Many of the YSG were involved in the possession and represented Arundel and Brighton along with the family group.
Having had a spiritually emotional day the YSG was taken to the Grotto for night prayer. The time was spent in quiet reflective prayer where each person was drawn closer to God.
Day 5: Sunday
[Webmaster's Note - must be a day of rest! Seriously though - copy to follow]
Day 4: Saturday
Yesterday started with a mass for all the pilgrims. The youth service group gave a warm welcome as everyone filled up the benches at St Bernadette’s Altar. After mass all the pilgrims gathered on the steps for the Arundel and Brighton photograph in front of the Rosary Basilica and then afterwards gathered on the meadow near the Podium Altar for hotel group photographs. The pilgrims returned to their hotel and spent the rest of day relaxing and reflecting. Time was also found to visit the town of Lourdes and enjoy the odd ice cream and lemonade. The day closed with night prayer and then off to bed ready for the next day.
Day 3: Friary (The Main Pilgrimage Arrives)
Having spent nearly a whole day on a newly air-conditioned train, the main pilgrimage arrived at Gare de Lourdes. After the tiring journey the pilgrims were welcomed by the Youth Service Group with enthusiasm and new faces, which were smiley and bright. The luggage trolleys were loaded and unloaded by all and sundry, and so far so good on getting everyone’s luggage and equipment to them. The pilgrims made it to their hotels for an early lunch and the much-needed shower. After a quick sleep the whole pilgrimage gathered for the welcoming mass and already the music group were in action helping to raise people’s spirits with the beautiful music and lyrical voices. At the end of mass candles were issued to each of the hotel groups – the lamps really were lit and have remained alight. Then back to the hotels to have supper and to begin their own programme
Day 2: Thursday
After a long and tiring night, the group finally realized it was dawn, and slowly but surely began to wake up (The lucky few who actually managed to sleep did), we grumbled and half-heartedly ate breakfast and sang a rousing chorus of ‘Rise and Shine’. We traveled for quite a few more hours, and finally we arrived, bedraggled but excited at our hotel, the Chapelle et Parc. Those who were still hungry ate some more food whilst the complex operation of rooming began! When all of us had a bed to call our own, we were kindly allowed several hours of sleep and rest, until we reconvened for an afternoon of fun and bonding. We went on a ‘Tour de Lourdes’ whilst solving a series of clues, which would, inevitably, lead of to the infamous ‘Little Flower’ and their even more infamous ice creams! We returned to the hotel and ate a hearty dinner and then were allowed a few more minutes until we joined each other back in the lobby, where we were given the decision to either go to the International Youth Mass or stay in the hotel to do some quiet bible study and relax.
Day 1: Wednesday
It is the start of our pilgrimage. It was an early start for the Redshirts with Mass at 10:30. With people preparing their voices for singing, preparing to play musical instruments, typing up the words for songs and even preparing to altar serve. We celebrated mass with Fr. Rob who will be our chaplain for the journey and then after mass we had some free time to catch up with friends after the get together weekend. We departed from Crawley at 12:00 waving goodbye to the parents who stayed to see their children off. We made it to Dover in time to catch our ferry and even had some free time before we got on the ferry. We boarded the ferry and the Redshirts went up on deck to wave goodbye to England and wait for our ride to end at Calais. Once we landed at Calais it was the start of a very long coach ride. People either went to sleep listened to MP3 players or watched Chicago and Finding Nemo. We made two stops during our night journey, one at around 8:00 French time for dinner and one just at midnight for five minutes for people to stretch their legs. We then continued our long journey throughout the night through to what would be our second day of the pilgrimage. [Webmaster's note - some of the young people have lolly sticks in their mouths, lest there be any confusion!]
