The pastoral theme at Lourdes this year moves on from Our Lady’s instruction to Bernadette to Go and tell the priests to the next words to build a chapel here. This command led to the building of the world famous Shrine.  The word here reminds of the special place that Lourdes has in the hearts of so many as a special and holy place. As we begin our Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage on Saturday, we will ask the intercession of Our Lady in the place where she revealed herself to Bernadette, praying that our lives may be transformed to live our lives as authentic disciples of Jesus.

However, from the earliest days, the grace of Lourdes has radiated throughout the world. We return from pilgrimage, inspired to build the church where we are and to bring Good News to the world.

As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost this Sunday, in the Shrine, we will give thanks for the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. But, as we honour our Blessed Lady, we should also recall her central role, at the heart of the community. “If the Church does not exist without Pentecost, neither does Pentecost exist without the Mother of Jesus, since she lived in a wholly unique way what the Church experiences each day under the action of the Holy Spirit” Pope Benedict XVI. Fr Jeremy Howard - Lourdes Pilgrimage Director.