St. Bernadette & Middlesbrough Pilgrimage
St. Bernadette & Lourdes
(As read from 'Parish
pulpits')
I
would like to tell you of St Bernadette’s Story
St
Bernadette was born in 1844 in a small town in France called Lourdes.
Bernadette Soubirous was one of eight children born into a very poor
family. Although initially unremarkable, Bernadette’s life was to
inspire generations of people to journey in faith on pilgrimage to
Lourdes.
Between
11 February and 16 July 1858, Bernadette saw the Virgin Mary eighteen
times in a series of Apparitions that took place in a cave on the
outskirts of Lourdes, a place now known as the Grotto of Massabielle.
In the course of these miraculous encounters, Bernadette, then aged
just 14, became the friend and confidante of Our Lady, the mother of
Jesus.
The
Apparitions of Lourdes were authenticated in 1866 by the Bishop of
Tarbes. In that same year, Bernadette left Lourdes to live out her
religious vocation within the community of the Sisters of Charity of
Nevers. She died in 1879, was proclaimed Blessed in 1925, and a
became a Saint in 1933.
Now
like to tell you about The Middlesbrough Diocese Lourdes Pilgrimage
We
did travel to Lourdes this year for 5 days and what a fantastic week
we had renewing our friendships not only with our pilgrims but our
friends in Lourdes.
Everyone
who went to Lourdes this year just seems to be on a “High”, the
feedback has been tremendous with comments such as “Best Pilgrimage
Ever” and “Can’t wait for next year”.
The
underlying comments though, are that our pilgrimage was “sincere,
spiritually uplifting, friendly, caring and above all inclusive”.
It has made such an impact on so many people that I think the
memories will last for a long time.
This
bodes well for our pilgrimage which is growing once again and
hopefully this message will reverberate around the Diocese and
attract more people to either return to the Lourdes Family or give it
a try for the first time.
The
pilgrimage normally takes about 80/100 sick pilgrims with us every
year, most stay in what we call the Accueill (Hospital) and others in
hotels with support if required. In order for us to facilitate these
pilgrims and support their medical and physical needs we require a
team of approx. 180/200 helpers, made up of
Doctors/Nurses/Handmaids(Female helpers)/Brancardiers (Male
helpers)and musicians, this group of people are collectively called
our Lourdes Hospitalite.
If
you wish to be part of our Lourdes family come and join us on our
70th
Pilgrimage which will be next year, 26th
May to 2nd
June, back to our normal 7 days details should be advertised from
November.
Additionally,
we also have our Youth, who enhance and support our team helping to
push Supported Pilgrims in wheelchairs and talk with them about their
lives.We take something like 150 Youth from across our Diocese to
Lourdes, some 6th formers, but mostly 13/14 yr olds, and all go to
Lourdes with the express wish to help our Supported Pilgrims.
We
would like to invite you to join our Lourdes family as future NURSES,
DOCTORS, HANDMAIDS, BRANCARDIERS , MUSICIANS, leaflets with further
information are available at the back of church.
Invitation to Encounter the
Relics of St Bernadette
We
have a chance this year of bringing a part of Lourdes to the UK.
In
September and October this year, the relics of St Bernadette will
journey on pilgrimage to England, Scotland, and Wales for the very
first time. This very special once in a lifetime event will provide
an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience
the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes, in a church or cathedral
near them.
The
Relic Tour of St Bernadette offers a spiritually enriching
opportunity for people across our community of faith to gather
together in prayer at Churches and Cathedrals across the three
nations.
The
life and legacy of St Bernadette has touched the lives of people
across the world. 160 years after the first pilgrimages to this
special place began, Lourdes is one of the busiest Christian
pilgrimage sites in the world, with the Catholic Church acknowledging
70 miracles as having taken place there.
The Relics
of St Bernadette will visit Middlesbrough Cathedral between Sunday
October 2nd
from 1.30pm all the way through to 12.30pm next day Monday the 3rd
October, further details and timings will follow when finalized. The
Relics will be accessible all day and all night during their visit to
our diocese to allow as many people to enjoy this experience and take
part in Masses and also Water Services similar to that in Lourdes.
Please
note
that disabled parking will be very restricted and you may have to
drop people off and park up nearby.
The
Relics will later travel to Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel
church in Hull on Wednesday 5th
October from 7pm through to 7am next day, where masses and services
will also take place.
Many
thanks for your time today,
Our Lady
of Lourdes Pray for us;
St
Bernadette pray for us.