“I shall spend every moment loving” - St Bernadette.

The last three weeks, leading from the death of Pope Francis to the election of Pope Leo have been quite remarkable. I cannot remember a time when media attention, mostly positive or at least not openly hostile, was so focussed on the Catholic Church and the Papacy. 

Pope Leo was seen by millions throughout the world as he accepted his election with obvious trepidation but also with humility and obedience to God’s will. In accepting the call to be our new Pope, the Servant of the Servants of God, he was following the example of Our Lady who said yes to God as she accepted her role in God’s plan for our Salvation and become the model of Christian service.

This Sunday at St. Chad’s Cathedral we will celebrate the “Blessing of Hands Mass” when we bless all those who are about to serve as volunteers on the Lourdes Pilgrimage. 

Planning for our first pilgrimage after the pandemic, we were unsure whether we could take any sick pilgrims. This dismayed the young people who were planning to come that year, who made it clear that they could not imagine a pilgrimage where they could not care for others. I cannot think of another situation where young people are so determined to serve others, showing how service is an essential part of then Lourdes Experience.

The volunteers, who will come to be blessed on Sunday, are responding to the call of Our Lady, the first disciple, and the example of our new Holy Father as he begins his life of service to the People of God. They will find the joy of serving others in Lourdes, a place where we find God’s grace at work.

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Fr Jeremy Howard