Lourdes Pilgrimage 2025
On Thursday, 4 September, our four student volunteers, Isaac Conway, Eoghan Levins, Ella McInerney and Viera Karsnakova set off for Lourdes with their teacher, Ms Elaine Lyons. Prior to their departure, the students attended a Blessing of Hands Mass in Belvedere College last week. This gave them the opportunity to meet the school groups they would be travelling with, while also receiving a blessing from the travelling priests.
Thank you once again to all those in our school and parish community who so kindly donated to the many fundraisers last term, making this incredible opportunity possible for Isaac, Eoghan, Ella and Viera.
Day One
Thursday was a long travel day for the Lourdes students. Following their flight into Carcassonne, they had a long bus journey through the beautiful French countryside including a quick pit stop in Toulouse. Upon arrival, the students took in the beautiful scenery of the holy pilgrimage site and met the rest of the school groups at training and evening prayer.
Day Two
On Friday, the day started at morning prayer before the students’ first day of duties, supporting pilgrims staying in the hotels dotted around the town, as well as serving lunch and dinner each day in the onsite hospital for assisted pilgrims.
There were two beautiful mass services - one at the grotto and another in the spectacular underground basilica. During the mass at the grotto, all four students worked together, collecting donations.
During their downtime, they explored the Rosary Basilica and finished a busy day with evening prayer and a table quiz with their fellow schools' groups.
A busy and very rewarding day, making new friends (pilgrims and students alike)!
Day Three
Saturday began with morning prayer once again. Two sacraments were celebrated as part of the pilgrimage - the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Sick. The students brought pilgrims to confession in the morning, and the afternoon 'Anointing of the Sick' mass was a beautiful ceremony. The students gave the assisted pilgrims a guard of honour as they left the church, which was much appreciated in the sweltering 33 degree heat.
As well as carrying out their normal jobs today, the students were also on 'liturgy duty' for mass. This involved handing out leaflets and Viera carried candles to the altar.
In the evening, the students attended the Medal Ceremony where many of the school group teachers received medals for three years of service (including Ms Lyons!)
The busy, hot day ended with evening prayer and the opportunity for the school groups to receive confession as well. The students ended the evening with a trip for ice cream and some souvenir shopping.
Day Four
On Sunday morning, the students attended the Youth Mass. This was a wonderful celebration of all of the hard work of the student helpers. After morning duties, the students attended an outdoor picnic for the assisted pilgrims in the sweltering heat. The students sang songs and mingled with the pilgrims. Viera, Eoghan, Ella and Isaac gave a rousing rendition of "Love Story", alongside some of their friends.
That evening, the weather changed which meant that the whole group had to adapt. The usually outdoor “Torchlight Procession” was moved indoors to the underground basilica. Before the procession, our students handed out candles to every Dublin Diocesan pilgrim, as well as pilgrims from all over the world. After this beautiful ceremony of light, the students enjoyed evening prayers as well as a 'singsong' until late with the other school groups.
Day Five
On Monday morning, the school groups performed the Stations of the Cross for the entire pilgrimage. As the weather was so wet, all other activities were cancelled for the morning, so this event drew a huge crowd. Our students performed the last station and did a fantastic job.
That evening, the students enjoyed a beautiful solemn evening prayer led by Fr Paul. He blessed our school’s candle and prayed for those who have died since this time last year in our school communities. We dedicated our school candle to Brendan Stone, Class of 2024, and his family. We lit this candle and prayed for our entire school community.
Day Six
On Tuesday, the students finished their duties and said their final goodbyes to new friends, old and young. Lots of small tokens of appreciation were gifted to Eoghan, Isaac, Viera and Ella from their grateful new friends, including bracelets, pins, and prayer cards.
Our flight was the last one out of Lourdes, so once the assisted pilgrims had departed, we had some free time to collect holy water and visit the grotto one final time. We then played cards and mingled with the select few schools left before our late flight home. We arrived back to Wicklow just after 2am. An exhausting, but enjoyable, final day in Lourdes.
Congratulations to Viera, Eoghan, Ella and Isaac, for all of their hard work in Lourdes. They were very busy, at times rushing their own meals in order to feed the pilgrims and attend the services. Their dedication was noted and greatly appreciated and they leave the pilgrimage with new friends and a new appreciation for the sick and elderly.
Thanks so much for your commitment to this trip, from the moment you interviewed at the start of the year, to the training days, countless fundraisers and your six days in Lourdes. Thank you, also, to Ms Lyons who coordinated the trip and accompanied the students to Lourdes. Well done to you all!