A Note from Lourdes

During these days of Easter week I am in Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. I have travelled with a group of the Trust each year since 2001. Somehow, Easter would not be the same if I were not in Lourdes for Easter. Despite the terrible weather here, the people of the Irish, English, American, West Indian, Slovakian, Romanian, Welsh, Scottish and Croatian trusts have brought colour, vitality, joy and a palpable sense of prayer to Lourdes. It is unlike any other week in Lourdes - and I must say a week that should really be experienced by many.Just a very brief history of HCPT: It was founded by an English doctor, Michael Strode 52 years ago. On bringing some young people with special needs here, he decided that they should not have to stay in hospitals but should, like all other pilgrims, be accomodated in hotels. He was responsible for setting up the Trust pilgrimages in such a way that each group would provide one-to-one care to the young people and that each group would have a leader, health professional and chaplain. Through his vision, the Trust has grown immeasurably and is a sign of hope in a world that often fails to see beyond the faces of people. Michael Strode is still alive and well. He should be justifiably proud of the legacy that he has left behind.


The Irish HCPT website is http://www.ihcpt.com/

Lourdes Revisited.......

I have just returned from Lourdes. It's been my second visit this year. I accompanied a group of young people with CLM (Cuairteoiri le Muire - Visitors with Mary). This is an organisation that has been on the go for nearly 50 years - it is a voluntary movement bringing the sick, disabled and underprivileged to the Marian shrine.


The group of young people, boys and girls, were secondary school pupils from different schools in Mallow and Clonakilty. (According to them, there is a new town in Cork called Mallakilty!!) It was a great experience to be with them - to see them celebrate their faith, pray, help others and have great fun. Lourdes, and Mary, never cease to amaze me at the people they call.


Late on in the week, I had the privelige of meeting a priest friend from Cork who joined the Dominicans with me back in 1987. He is now serving as a secular priest in the diocese of Cloyne. Meeting him reminded me of the early days of my own exploration of vocation to the Order - and meeting the young people from Mallakilty certainly encouraged me in my own vocation. They were just great!


Lourdes is quiet this year - the word is that people are holding off until next year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the apparations. Take a look at the website http://www.lourdes2008.com/