A group of 31 from Notre Dame answered the call and journeyed in pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady where they supported assisted pilgrims from the Leeds Faith and Light Group throughout the week. For all pilgrims, Lourdes is a place of service, the able bodied serve the infirm who in turn serve by allowing others to serve them. Notre Dame students found that through these acts of service they grew in faith:
Connie reflected that, 'Lourdes teaches us that within the chaos of aiding pilgrims and among the challenges we face daily, a profound peace emerges. It's in the fulfilment of easing another's path we find our own spiritual reward'.
As part of the Youth Section, we not only assisted others but also had our own time set aside for spiritual growth and renewal. Catechesis sessions rated highly with the group, these were times set aside to learn more about our faith and to dig deeper into an element of the pilgrimage, from the Sacrament of Reconciliation to what Hope meant to each of us. During our Grotto Vigil we spent time holding those close to us in prayer, lighting a candle and praying for our College community and spending time individually undertaking the water gesture – enacting the words of Our Lady, to ‘go and drink at the spring and wash yourself there’.
Lay Chaplain, Anne Merry, said of the pilgrimage, 'It was a privilege to journey with students from Notre Dame and to experience Lourdes through their eyes. They each went above and beyond to serve others, ensuring their pilgrims had what they needed to participate and advocating for them where appropriate. It was a profoundly spiritual experience for the group, and we have returned nourished in mind and body and spirit'.
As Sophia says, 'I feel like going to Lourdes not only reignited my faith but also who I am as a human being'.
The dates for next year’s Lourdes Pilgrimage are 2nd-10th July 2026. Call into the Chaplaincy to find out more.
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