The assisted pilgrims are at the heart of our lives and the values of love, generosity, service and building community are foundations on which we build. We know prayer, fun, laughter, the kindness of a smile, and a strong sense of the family of the Archdiocese. We see the life of Jesus, his mother Mary and St. Bernadette at the heart of our days. After mass; the coffees, teas, soft drinks and beers. During this week we have touched deeply into the importance of relationships, listening, helping, serving and enjoying life together. I feel very proud of all the members of the youth pilgrimage who have been present, attentive and concerned for the good of others. Thank you for your presence this week. I hope you have discovered a little more about how God is calling you to serve him. In all of our lives together, Jesus the Sower has been sowing seeds of the kingdom of God. Like the small mustard seed, they can grow into large bushes when we cultivate them and look after them.

Imagine the world - which St Paul describes in the first reading. We are God’s chosen ones who have been given a compassionate heart. He gives us a new set of designer clothes - kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance and forgiveness. Above all we are clothed in God’s love so that we might love others as he has loved us. These are the new clothes of the pilgrimage.  

Imagine the world where all are treated equally and part of society. During the time of Jesus, people did not understand that leprosy was a bacterial infection that damaged the skin and the disfigured extremities such as fingers and toes, noses and ears. Rather this disease was thought to be the punishment for sin. Lepers were shunned, excluded and pushed to the margins of towns and society unable to associate with others. They were stigmatised and excluded. When Jesus heals the lepers, it is therefore not only a profession that he forgives sin but also that he then restores the leper to society. They are included again and values as equals.

Of the ten who were healed, one returned to say thank you. That man was a Samaritan. The Jews and the Samaritans hated each other for long historical reasons. They were both deeply racist and did not associate or mix with one another. Jewish people at that time saw the Samaritans as ‘those people’, ‘them’ – those we do not want around here. Jesus breaks down this barrier because he heals the Samaritan and restores him into society. He shows that It is no longer ‘them and us’ – now it is ‘we’. Imagine the world where all are treated equally and form the ‘we’ of community.

Imagine the world where we trust in God all the time. I have been thinking about the great storm on Friday night when the young people led the Marian Torchlight pilgrimage. After assembling in the domain, there was lightening, a crack of thunder and the heavens opened. There was a gasp and Cri de Coeur which echoed round the domain. Many fled to shelter.

There remained on the platform the statue of Our Lady, the illuminated cross and the candle bearers. In spite of the deluge of rain, the statue of Our Lady reminded me that she is our mother who protects us. We can trust in her. The cross reminded me of the power to Christ to conquer and triumph over evil. The candles reminded me that the light of Christ shines in the darkness.

I remembered the rain-soaked night during the COVID crisis when Pope Francis stood alone in St Peter’s Square and prayed for healing and safety from the coronavirus  asking the help of the Lord and Saint Marcello who protected Rome from plague in earlier times. The cross, Our Lady and the light of Christ have strengthened our faith this week and we thank God for this.

Finally, we have been praying for Pope Leo’s visit to Lourdes in September. In fact he has popped up here and there! As we heard in the papal message, we have been close to us in his heart during our pilgrimage. He has walked with us. Earlier in the year for the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes he said, ‘Today is a very beautiful day because it reminds us of Mary’s closeness, our Mother, who always accompanies us.’ As we go home, may we know he closeness of Mary our Mother who has been with us during these days here in Lourdes.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

St. Bernadette, pray for us.

Archbishop John Sherrington

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