Lourdes
Pilgrimages to Lourdes
A diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes is held annually
Parish groups, individuals and anyone with a desire to be part of this faith journey is welcome to partake. An annual collection in the parishes of the diocese is used to assist needy people with travel expenses and subsidises the expenses of required medica, professional help as well as voluntary carers for the sick.
People who need assistance are accommodated in a special hospital on the grounds of the shrine and this is staffed during the pilgrimage by people from Cork & Ross who volunteer to assist the pilgrims. The helpers and the able-bodied pilgrims stay in the hotels in the town - which are also near the Grotto. People are encouraged to join the Diocesan Pilgrimage as helpers, nurses and doctors to assist pilgrims in Lourdes. Contact:
The Diocesan Coordinators of the Pilgrimage to Lourdes are Fr. Charlie Kiely, Fr Damian O'Mahony and Fr. Marius O’Reilly. They are appointed by the bishop and work alongside a dedicated team of volunteer lay people.
You can find out more information about Lourdes at
Any latest news and announcements will be published below
Sunday's Mass for the pilgrims on the Cork and Ross group was the International Mass which is celebrated in the underground Basilica in the grounds of the demesne.
The vast basilica has rooom for throusands of pilgrims who come from all corners of the world. Mass is celebrated in many languages and concelebrating bishops and priests from across the globe lead the celebration.
After Mass the Cork and Ross pilgrims had time to visit the Grotto individually, visit the baths and take some time in the town to explore the many shops!
Lourdes: Cork & Ross - Day 3
On Monday morning September 25th at 9am (our time) Bishop Fintan and the Cork and Ross pilgrims at Lourdes will celebrate Mass at the Grotto in Lourdes (where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette).
It's also the Feast day of St Finbarr.
You can join the Mass live here
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
The pilgrimage medical and nursing team who look after the sick in Lourdes on the pilgrimage.Day Two in Lourdes had the groups' first opportunity to celebrate Mass in one of the chapels across the river from the Grotto
Bishop Fintan Gavin was the principal celebrant.
Many of the pilgrims were involved in the various liturgical roles: singing, music, reading, leading prayer, processions, stewarding, assisting those who needed help.
This chapel is very near the special hospital; where the pilgrims who need assistance are accommodated.
After Mass, everyone headed for the front of the Basilica where the traditional group photos are professionally taken.
Many homes across the diocese have some of these photos which were taken during pilgrimages over the years. Collectively, they tell of the faithful response of the people of our diocese to Mary's invitation to "come here to bathe and to pray".
On the Cork and Ross pilgrimage to Lourdes 2023, the young adult helpers are all ready to depart to Lourdes with Fr Marius, Fr Charlie, Bishop Fintan and Shiela Kelleher.Two plane loads of pilgrims set out from Cork Airport today at the start of the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes.
The pilgrimage, which takes months of planning, is being led by Bishop Fintan Gavin.
Among the pilgrims are people who need assistance to travel and while in Lourdes. These are accommodated in a special hospital near the shrine at Lourdes and they are supported by a dedicated team of professional medical and nursning staff as well as a team of volunteer assistants — which includes a group of young people.
Each day's timetable at Lourdes will include liturgies at the grotto, in chapels nearby and outdoors near the shrine.
Bishop Fintan said the group will be praying for everyone in the diocese at home during these sacred days.
"I'm also especially grateful to the huge number of people who give of their time and their expertise right through the year to make the pilgrimage possible," he said.
Lourdes Young Adult Helpers Gather in Kinsale
The Lourdes Young Adult Helpers gathered on Saturday 2nd September in the Carmelite Friary, Kinsale to prepare for their upcoming pilgrimage to Lourdes.
The Young Adult group will be led by Fr Marius O'Reilly and Sheila Kelleher this year.The gathering began with Fr Marius leading the group through the story of Lourdes and St Bernadette.
Sheila Kelleher then led a sharing session on hopes and expectations, which was followed by Bishop Fintan guiding the group in the Examen prayer. The day drew to a close with the celebration of Holy Mass in the Carmelite's Chapel.
The group are looking forward to travelling to Lourdes with the Cork and Ross Diocese from Friday 22nd to Wednesday 27th September.
The Pilgrimage Organising Group recently met with Bishop Fintan to continue preparations. The Cork and Ross Lourdes Pilgrimage to Lourdes is now only three weeks away. The pilgrimage takes place from 22nd – 27th September next.
The Pilgrimage Organising Group recently met with Bishop Fintan to continue preparations.
A number of places are still available on the pilgrimage with return flights from Cork Airport - full details and booking from Joe Walsh Tours 01-2410800
The Cork and Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from Friday 22nd - Wednesday 27th September, 2023
A number of places are still to be filled.
Information is available from Joe Walsh Tours (01 2410800) or contact
Cost: €849 to €899 with a choice of hotels.
People, families and parishes throughout the Diocese are invited to travel to Lourdes with the Diocese in 2023.
Frs. Charlie Kiely, Damian O’Mahony and Marius O’Reilly will co-ordinate the pilgrimage in this year.
The Grotto seen during the Cork and Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
“Those of us who have been to Lourdes have experienced something that draws us back,” says Fr Damian O’Mahony, Co-PP Glounthaune who is one of the Lourdes pilgrimage coordinators in the Diocese of Cork and Ross
He was speaking to people who attended meetings in recent days to find out about this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes.
The first Cork and Ross pilgrimage to Lourdes since before Covid will be led by Bishop Fintan Gavin in September. It involves a five-night stay in Lourdes where assisted pilgrims are accommodated in a hospital-like environment but with prefessional medical, nursing and support care provided by people from home. Most other pilgrims stay in hotels in the town of Lourdes within walking distance of the Grotto area.
Daily liturgies are planned by the diocese and these always include a special Mass celebrated at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared. Pilgrims also participate in the daily processions.
“Over the years, I have met some great friends on the pilgrimage, from among the assisted pilgrims and all the helpers,” said David Sheehy, who has been to Lourdes as a helper nine times. It began when he was asked by his brother-in-law Pat Fitzgerald if he’d go and help.
“It’s a great life experience which has shaped my passion for wanting to help others and care for others,” said Andrea Sheehy, who went to Lourdes as a young adult helper. She credits her time in Lourdes with inspiring her to work in childcare and to do a masters degree in special education.
Being a volunteer young adult helper on the pilgrimage was also a life-changing experience for Grace Dineen, she says.
“The days are fairly full and we work flat-out helping. But the day flies and there’s also time for some great craic and social time, too.”
"Those of us who have been to Lourdes have experienced something that draws us back,” (Fr Damian O’Mahony)
“Over the years, I have met some great friends on the pilgrimage, from among the assisted pilgrims and all the helpers,” (David Sheehy)
Lourdes Information Meeting
Excitement is building as planning is underway for the September 2023 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The first of two information evenings was held in Cork and here is a reminder for the second evening:
Fri March 24th 8.00pm
Clonakilty Parish Centre, Western Rd., Clonakilty
P85 P793
Next to Clonakilty Parish Church
Location Map to Clonakilty Parish Centre
The sign-up lists are opening for hundreds of people from the diocese to take part is this year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Bishop Fintan Gavin will lead the Cork and Ross Lourdes Pilgrimage this September.
People who want to find our more about what’s involved are invited to attend one of two launch and information evenings.
The two free events are:
Wed March 22nd 7.30 pm
SMA Community Centre, Wilton, Cork T12 AX94
Next to St Joseph’s Church Wilton
Location Map to SMA Community Centre
and
Fri March 24th 8.00pm
Clonakilty Parish Centre, Western Rd., Clonakilty
P85 P793
Next to Clonakilty Parish Church
Location Map to Clonakilty Parish Centre
Lourdes Pilgrimage - September 2023
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