Lourdes 2015 - Day 7 & 8

First thing on the 7th day, we took pilgrims to the international mass. Although young pilgrims err away from this mass, frightened of its crippling length and soporific atmosphere, it is one of the most significant for visitors to Lourdes. It is a service that welcomes pilgrims from all over the world, seating everyone into the colossal underground basilica and speaking to them in their native language. For much of the mass, you won't be able to understand what the priest says. Similarly, in the Torchlight Procession, the rosary is said in many of the world's languages, causing one's concentration to waver. But it is important that all pilgrims engage. Listening to another language, or speaking to others in their own tongue, is one of the greatest acts of empathy and understanding. Under the Catholic faith, we all, in effect, speak the same language and try to achieve the same goal. In Lourdes, this feeling of collectivity and communion is at its most palpable.

Language is actually at the crux of why people come to Lourdes. When Bernadette used the words 'I am the Immaculate Conception', they were terms that she did not know. Her lack of education would have made her theologically and scripturally illiterate. However, she spoke the language of faith - these words were given to her by divine intervention. The priest understood what she meant. Therefore, from the start, language has been one of the main miracles of Lourdes.

Personally, I have done my best to employ language to capture the essence of the pilgrimage in these blogs. A lot of the time, though, the experience transcends human language. You have to feel it for yourself.

The last day was a vital one for Over 18s, as they finally got to do their duty in the St. Frai. After a 5.30 start, we donned plastic pinnies to serve coffee, tea and breakfast to the pilgrims, or even clean toilets and wheelchairs. However, the main aspect of the duty is simply to talk to the pilgrims and offer any sort of assistance. Throughout the year, the elderly and sick are very lonely. The company of young people, dressed in our yellow t-shirts, brightens up their day, without fail. Being with pilgrims for an extended period allowed us to build relationships, and catch up with old friends from previous years.

When it came to five o'clock, it was time for the seriously ill pilgrims to board the jumbulance [see the Meeting 3 blog]. Coach 8 led the leaving party, playing hymns as hundreds waved the coach off. Needless to say, tears were shed. As Be Thou My Vision, possibly the anthem of the 2015 pilgrimage, rang out, one couldn't help but lament the year to come away from these amazing people. But these were also tears of joy. It was a celebration of what we had achieved during the week, and, for some, over the last seven years. I am referring to Matthew Norris who has served his full term as a yellow t-shirt on Coach 4. I thought it was only fitting to let him have the final word, and to thank him for all he has done for the Coach and the Pilgrimage.

"What a difference a week can make, from being really unsure about going, to not being able to stay away. That was the story of my first year in Lourdes and despite spending about 350 or so hours on a coach, it hasn’t changed. It’s tiring work but the good times more than made up for it.

I’ve shared my experiences with a lot of people who are all different but share a common mission in Lourdes. It’s this that makes the week what it is, and really acts as the butter in the Coach 4 sandwich. Some people only came for a year, some are well established veterans and some weren’t even human (RIP Evvsy [the Jean-Baptiste dog]). Each person however has had an impact on my life - simply by being a part of the coach that can’t be taken away.

For me, Lourdes has been a massive part of my life during big times of change, with finishing college and university and moving into the big bad world of work. My time here and the friends I have made have really helped with the transition, and I want to thank each and every one of you for preparing me and being there for me.

Time to start the next chapter of my life,

I’m on my way…"