Diary of our Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes,
Jubilee Year 1858-2008.
Compiled by Rory (age 14)
Wednesday 11th June 2008
I was going to Lourdes for the first time and my Granny and Pappy were coming with me. I was looking forward to the pilgrimage but not too sure of what was lay ahead. Fr. Kerry’s Itinerary was fairly full and there seemed to be no space for shopping on it !!. | 
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We arrived at Cork Airport at 13:00, the queue was extremely long, and there were only two check-ins open. There were 54 people coming with our parish, Turner’s Cross, but hundreds from the dioceses of Cork and Ross. An hour after check-in we boarded the plane. The plane was very comfortable. We got food on the plane. The journey was very short, about an hour and forty minutes.
When we landed a beautiful sight greeted us. The hotel was lovely. Even though there was thunder and lightning. After Dinner I headed down to the Grotto for the first time at 23:00, it was pouring rain. When I saw the Grotto I was speechless and stunned by its sheer beauty.
Thursday 12th June Granny woke me up at 6.30am which is really 5.30am Irish time. Breakfast was at 7:00. We had cereal for breakfast. We had our opening Mass at 8.30am in St. Bernadette’s Chapel, I was altar server with 16 priests Mgr. Kevin O’Callaghan welcomed us all to Lourdes preached about Lourdes and the Jubilee Way. After Mass we had the Diocesan Group photo (1250 pilgrims from Cork & Ross) and then our Parish group photo proudly standing under our Christ the King Parish banner. Later we did the lower stations and back to the hotel for lunch. After Lunch we had a Penitential Service. At 5pm we took part in the Eucharistic procession which lead us to the under ground basilica which can hold 45,000 people. After supper the candle light procession was held at 21:00, in which we took part it was magnificent. Every night after the Procession as a group we gathered across the river from the Grotto for the rosary and nigh prayer with Fr. Kerry. We arrived back at the hotel at around 22:30. I went straight to bed tired after a lovely day.
Friday 13th June Friday we awoke at the same time and had breakfast as usual. We followed the same schedule. After Mass we tried to queue up for the baths. The queue was too long and we had to leave. After lunch many did the Jubilee Walk to the places associated with the life of Bernadette. That evening after the Eucharistic procession we walked into town and did some shopping. I enjoyed buying souvenirs for everybody. That night our Diocese of Cork & Ross led the Torch Light Procession. We walked under the Turner’s Cross Banner. Bishop Buckley who had just arrived from Cork led the prayers.
Saturday 14th June The highlight of our Pilgrimage, Mass at the Grotto at 8.30am Bishop Buckley, Fr. Kerry and all the Priests concelebrated. It was at this spot Our Lady appeared to Bernadette 150 years ago. I was privileged to be the altar server at the Mass. It was a moment to remember. After Mass Mgr. O Callaghan led us in the High Stations without using a book he gave examples from everyday life that I could relate to. That evening Cork & Ross led the Blesses Sacrament Procession from the tent in the prairie to the Under Ground Basilica. Seeing the hundreds of sick people with their carers, Bishop Buckley carrying the Monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament blessing the sick, the singing, everyone praying, is something I will never forget. It was very moving.
Sunday 15th June Sunday was a special day for our Parish Group we visited the Hospice where Bernadette made her First Holy Communion (part of the Jubilee Way) then on to Bartres where Bernadette spent some time as a baby and later when she was 12 years old helping Marie Lagues and her family and tending the sheep. We visited the Parish Church in Bartres prayed a decade of the Rosary and Fr. Kerry blessed us with the relic of St. Bernadette. Then on to the City of the Poor to be greeted by our young German guide who showed us around the area - they can accommodate six hundred pilgrims at any one time who cannot afford accommodation in the town. Our Guide led us to the cathedral of the trees an outdoor cathedral. After that we went to the chapel - a replica of the sheepfold in the field at Bartres where Bernadette minded sheep. - Fr. Kerry said Mass. The Mass was lovely he preached about living the present moment, not to worry about yesterday, let tomorrow in the hands of God, live the present moment. God makes every day special for us and we should live and enjoy the present moment. During our Mass we had the anointing of the sick. Again I served the Mass it was a lovely experience. We headed home in time for dinner. That night we went to the candle light procession.
Monday 16th June Monday was our final day. As a Parish Group we had our last Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows across the road from our Hotel (the old hospital). I was altar server, my Pappy did the reading and Granny was Minister of the Eucharist. I was very tired and had a small snooze in the reception of the hotel before lunch. After lunch the Turner's Cross group brought the big Candle with Turner’s Cross Parish written on it to the Grotto. Fr. Kerry led us in our final rosary remembering all the people at home. We said our farewell to Our Lady at the Grotto. After supper our bags were loaded on the bus and we headed for the airport. The plane was on time and the flight was very smooth. We were all delighted to see Cork Harbour from the window of the plane, we landed at 22.45 hours.
This pilgrimage was a wonderful experience, it opened my eyes to the faith people have from all over the world, to the sick and to the great people who care for them. I must say that the people from Turner’s Cross made my pilgrimage very happy and I had a great time. I hope to return in the not too distant future.
Rory.
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