Young LMS pilgrims flock to Chartres

Leaving Notre Dame - image John Aran

Young pilgrims sponsored by the Latin Mass Society joined more than 10,000 people who took part in the Chartres pilgrimage last weekend. Pilgrims walked a three-day 70-mile route from Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, to Notre Dame Cathedral Chartres, the British contingent joining pilgrims from more than 20 countries.

Corinna Bruce, a teacher from Nottingham, was one of 13 young people who the LMS sponsored to go on the pilgrimage. Corinna said: "It is physically tough and I hated it at first but the spiritual side takes over and the atmosphere is just amazing, especially with all the singing. You get a sense that all 10,000 people are in it together, like a family.

"I was grateful for the subsidised ticket from LMS as otherwise it works out quite expensive particularly for those who don't live in London."

LMS Chairman Joseph Shaw said: "As a walking pilgrim myself it was a wonderful experience to unite myself with so many in offering the prayers and indeed the physical sufferings of the pilgrimage for the conversion of Europe. The pilgrimage particularly attracts the young, and is a great sign of hope for the Church."

The LMS organises a series of events at holy places in England and Wales throughout the summer - starting with York pilgrimage earlier this month which saw 200 pilgrims process through the city streets to honour the York martyrs.

On Sunday 5 July, pilgrims will process to St Winefride's Well in Holywell, Fllintshire, for veneration of the saint's relic, and the Wrexham pilgrimage on 1 August includes veneration of the relic of St Richard Gwyn.

August bank holiday weekend sees the annual walking pilgrimage to Walsingham. Pilgrims meet at Ely on Thursday evening before setting off after an early morning Mass on a three day 55-mile walk, Mass in the Extraordinary Form each day and traditional devotions and hymns en route. LMS is taking bookings for this pilgrimage here.

Finishing off the season is the annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Aylesford on 3 October where Simon Stock of the Order of Carmelites received the scapular from the hands of the Blessed Mother.

Details of all LMS pilgrimages are on the LMS website: www.lms.org.uk/news-and-events/events-calendar