The weather has been much better today, apart from a shower during the Blessed Sacrament Procession. This morning, we had Mass in the Crypt, joined by one or two people from Florida, USA. After Mass, I saw the Birmingham Pilgrimage photo being taken and later on met Archbishop Nicholls - he told me that there are over 2000 pilgrims here from the Archdiocese. Middlesborough and Plymouth are also here and so I have met several priest friends from those parts of the world. Here is the Birmingham line-up:
In the afternoon, we gathered at the Grotto to say the Rosary and then took the children in for a special blessing.
We touched the walls of the grotto and the water that was running down.
After that, just time for a coffee and then the Blessed Sacrament Procession which ends with Benediction in the underground Basilica.
The weather has been much better today, apart from a shower during the Blessed Sacrament Procession. This morning, we had Mass in the Crypt, joined by one or two people from Florida, USA. After Mass, I saw the Birmingham Pilgrimage photo being taken and later on met Archbishop Nicholls - he told me that there are over 2000 pilgrims here from the Archdiocese. Middlesborough and Plymouth are also here and so I have met several priest friends from those parts of the world. Here is the Birmingham line-up:
In the afternoon, we gathered at the Grotto to say the Rosary and then took the children in for a special blessing.
We touched the walls of the grotto and the water that was running down.
After that, just time for a coffee and then the Blessed Sacrament Procession which ends with Benediction in the underground Basilica.
4 comments:
YIKES! 2000 Brummies...how awful! lol
Fr., it's so cool to see you spending so much time and effort with the kids in your parish group. I'm sure that such a great formative influence in their lives will stand them in great stead later, when they have to face the inevitable challenges that the world (and sometimes the rest of the Church) has to throw upon them.
I pray God gives you many, many years in which to carry on being such a super parish priest.
Wonderful experiences and pictures, Father! I have never been to Lourdes but my sister in Ireland has gone there for the past 20 years with the diocesan (Diocese of Meath) pilgrimage. In fact this year's pilgrimage will coincide with the Holy Father's visit there which should add to the experience for them.
She mentioned something I had not heard of before. One of their priests was designated a "Lourdes Chaplain" and wears a large cross. What is a "Lourdes Chaplain"...? Do they have special duties while there - on call for Masses, Confessions or something like that?
Not sure about the "Lourdes Chaplain" - it may be an honorary thing. The Shrine chaplains are appointed for a period of time to serve regularly at the Shrine offering Mass and hearing confessions in the various languages. (They welcome help with confessions from visiting priests.)
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