Cardinal Nichols reflects on Lourdes - BBC Radio 2 Pause For Thought

Cardinal Vincent Nichols

On Thursday, 17 July 2014, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, gave the following reflection on BBC Radio 2 Pause For Thought.

On Thursday I'm off to the south of France! Not on holiday - that comes later - but to Lourdes , the pilgrim shrine in the Pyrenees.

This small town, with its high castle and sweeping river is visited by millions of people every year. We go at the invitation of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who appeared there to Bernadette , a poor sickly child, one of the outcasts of the town. She taught Bernadette how to pray and how to place her trust in God. We go to learn the same lessons.

I'm going on pilgrimage with over a thousand people. Among them are many who are seriously ill and others with significant special needs. Travelling is not easy, but the pilgrimage is a highlight if the year and a time of lasting grace and deep friendship.

In Lourdes the sick are given pride of place. Traffic gives way to wheelchairs. They are always first in the processions and pace is always made for them in the cafes and bars. Young volunteers are ready to help . With great generosity they learn to see beyond the terrible effects of illness , age and physical deformity to the character and spirit of the person. they are caring for . In practical action each day they learn of, and express the compassionate love of God who never forsakes us even when we feel lost and totally forsaken ourselves.

Here are all the lessons about caring for the sick and dying spelt out boldly: the innate dignity of each person, the exhausting demands and rewards of caring for them; the horizon of eternity, of heaven, in which we live each day, and how, with love, compassion and skilled medical care we an help people to bear the burden of suffering.. Here there is no talk of the futility of of needless suffering, or that suffering should have the last world on our existence.

There are no cruel implications that the terminally-ill are a burden on our way of life and our resources. here no one points to the dark door of suicide , whether assisted or not. Lourdes has far more to teach us about dying well than the killing clinics of Holland or Switzerland. Indeed, many of those who come to Lourdes, especially the nurses, the palliative care socialists and the vulnerable , will listen to this week's debate with hour and a cold fear invading their bones. But on our pilgrimage true perspectives will be restored.

We will return full of joy in the Lord and each other. The pilgrimage is a great lesson in life and I wouldn't ever want to miss it.

+Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster

Note: There will be more reports on Westminster Diocese's 25th Pilgrimage to Lourdes later this week.