Happy New Year to All

As 2010 draws to a close and we look forward with renewed energy to a brand New Year, I find myself reflecting on what a “Pilgrimage” means to me. The purpose of a pilgrimage is to grow in faith whilst making a visit to a place made holy by a sacred event.

For me, as a pilgrim, it is whilst I am away from my everyday life and routine that I am able to deepen my relationship with God.

St. Thomas Aquinas theorised that “Grace builds upon Nature” – that the Grace of God speaks to the condition of the human person. Lourdes provides me with an opportunity for Grace to enter and fill up my life once more.

It is not always easy to see a miracle when all we can see is the need for one, but the wondrous unfolding of Grace within and around me whilst in Lourdes is my own, personal miracle.

At Lourdes I am reminded that it is only when I keep looking backwards that I fail to see that God is standing beside me.

God Bless all our Pilgrims, Helpers, Medical Staff and Clergy and may Our Lady bring us safely home to her special place in Lourdes.

Happy New Year to all.

The Language of Lourdes

We are often asked "Do I need to speak French when I come to Lourdes?".

No, the international language of Lourdes is a SMILE!

Blessed Mother Teresa said:

'At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in." Hungry not for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked of human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room or bricks - but homeless because of rejection. This is Christ in distressing disguise.'

During Our Pilgrimage to Lourdes we often see many examples of our helpers feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and taking in the homeless in this way. We cannot thank them enough. Through their dedicated service they show us how to be "forgetful of oneself". They radiate the mission of of Our Blessed Mother and St. Bernadette.

S.O.L.L. - Communications Blog

The Second Vatican Council in Rome in its decree on communications (Inter Mirifica) said that "the church believes that its task involves the means of employing social communication to announce the good news of salvation". This blog forms part of that process.