Lourdes – Fr Paul Harrison' Blog.

First full day in Lourdes

My first objective was to get a tooth brush!. This was soon achieved by virtue of a short walk into the main town of Lourdes. It was raining, in fact there was steady rain all day.

Despite the rain I walked down to the domain area in order to say a few prayers in the adoration chapel. Along the way I took a couple of photos of the grotto and main basilica. They looked splendid even in the rain.

In the afternoon we had our opening Mass in the Rosary basilica. Whilst vesting in the sacristy I did notice lots of bricks whi bore the names of those who had had miracles in the past. A silent and moving testimony of faith. The Mass itself was lovely with a good sermon from the Bishop and some excellent singing of hymns old and new.

P1490302 — The Rosary Basilica before Mass.

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The journey to Lourdes

It was an early start in Manchester, the flight was a 8am, so check in from 6am onwards. There was a long queue for this, but eventually I got my boarding card. Going through security was a test of my patience, the queue’s were massive, so much so that I and other had to be moved foreward or we were in danger of missing the flight. What I could’t understand there were 3 security points unmanned. This is the busiest time of the year, you would have thought that someone would have known this…. Once through security I needed to buy a tooth brush as I had forgotten to pack one. I had a senior moment and bought toothpaste instead! The flight was uneventful apart from some turbulence as we approached Tarbes airport.

Once in my hotel, there was chance for a rest. We had a simple Mass in the chapel of Saints Cosmos and Damien. By that time we had a thunderstorm and torrential rain.

P1490280 — A very wet start to the pilgrimage.

The chapel was simple, a bit too simple for my taste. It could also have done with a bit of TLC as well. Having said all that Mass was said and was a pleasing end to the day.

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The journey to Lourdes begins

I am joining the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. This began on Friday 26th July. However, as it was an early flight (8am from Manchester Airport) I decided the travel down by train the night before. This proved a little eventful that I planned.

I was due on the 14.50 direct service from Penrith to Manchester Airport. I wasn’t looking forward to this as my off peak ticket didnt have a seat reservation, and the Transpennine express trains are notorious for being crowded. Anyway a late running Virgin trains service and I boarded that, and there were plenty of seats. However we were held for some 25 minutes or so as there were “overhead wire problems ahead”. Thankfully after 25 mins we were on our way. I also noted that my original train had been cancelled.

All this meant I had to change in Preston. The first two trains to the airport were full and standing, but I noticed an empty Tranpennine express train roll into platform 5, I took mu chances with that.

P1490278 — My train from Preston to Manchester Airport.

Whilst waiting for the above train there was a short but very intense thunderstorm, with some spectaculat ligthning. My patience paid off, the train was half empty. There was a very slow journey through Manchester, which meant a 30 minute late arrival at the airport. All in all a bit frustrating at times. On the other hand, it was the hottest day of the year: the air con worked on the trains and I did get a seat!