St. Joseph's Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes
16th-20th June 2008

On Monday 16th June 2008 a number of Parishioners from St. Joseph's left very early in the morning to embark on a Pilgrimage to Lourdes in France.
This for me was my first visit to Lourdes, a number of Parishioners had been on a number of occasions so for me it was going to be a very new
experience. Each day we had a Mass said at various locations around Lourdes, below you will see photos taken at each Mass. We also took part in the torchlight processions that occurred at 9pm each evening, there was also a procession for the sick one afternoon which ended in the Underground Basilica. We also did the Way of the Cross on two occasions, one for the upper ones which for me were a particular highlight of the week and also the lower ones which are a new addition to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous. These ones are made of Carrara marble and there are 17 sculptures. I have included a couple of photos from each below so you can get an idea of what they are like.

A lot of organizing goes into arranging such a Pilgrimage and I along with everyone else would like to thank Fr. Pat and John Horner who did all the organizing and did such a fantastic job. For me the experience was a very humbling one and I am sure I am not alone in feeling this. There is also the social side of any Pilgrimage and I think I can safely say that everyone enjoyed the "gatherings" we had. It was made known to me that Canon Zollo was the founder of what has become known as "Happy Hour" where we all gather an hour before dinner to have a drink and a chat. I have included a few photos taken at these gatherings below, as you will see a good time was had by all.

I hope you enjoy the photographs below, it's only a handful of the vast amount I took, if you would like to see any more then please feel free to email
me and I will let you have a cd with them all on. Fr Pat also has a cd available should you want to see a copy.

If you went on the Pilgrimage and you would like to add some comments of your own then please email me and I will add them to this page.

So once again a huge thank you to Fr Pat and John and to all the Parishioners who for me made this a most wonderful and enjoyable Pilgrimage.

Anne

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St. Joseph's Newbury - Lourdes June 2008
Basilica		Crowned Virgin Statue
Mass on Monday		Mass on Tuesday
Banners on procession		Torchlight Procession
Mass on Wednesday at The Grotto		Mass on Thursday at the Haybarn
Mass on Friday		Time for a coffee!
VIIIth Station - Jesus Meets the women of Jerusalem High Level Way of the Cross		VIIIth Station - Jesus Meets the women of Jerusalem Low Level Way of the Cross
Torchlight Procession in front of the Basilica		Procession into the Basilica of Saint Pius X
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception		Do you like my hat?
"Happy Hour"		Fr Pat's Happy Hour !!
Last night "Sing Along"!!		A good time was had by all!!