Oblates go digital for 2020 Lourdes Pilgrimage

Source: Oblates of Mary

The very first English-speaking pilgrimage to Lourdes was organised by the Oblates in 1883. In the years since, well over one hundred thousand people, sick and volunteers, have travelled to experience this place of encounter, healing and peace.

The whole Oblate community pivoted online during Covid19 with morning and evening prayers and streaming of masses online. Ensuring those who were due to travel on the Lourdes pilgrimage 2020 had the opportunity to participate virtually in a key event in the Oblate calendar, was a priority for the Oblates.

Father Oliver Barry OMI, Provincial of the Oblates in England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales said: "The Oblates organised the first pilgrimage from Britain and Ireland to Lourdes in 1883. Since then the means of getting there has changed but the message has remained constant - namely the love that God has for each and everyone of us. We hope that all who share in our virtual pilgrimage "Bringing Lourdes Home" will find healing and hope in these challenging times."

SCHEDULE

Three online events will be available daily on digital channels 19th- 23rd September 2020

Morning reflection at 8.30am

Mass at 12noon (from the grotto in Inchicore, Lourdes, and Curraghlawn Nursing Home in Kildare)
Evening event at 7pm (the Rosary, Way of the Cross, Service of Mission)
A live link will be broadcast from Lourdes for the torchlight procession at 8pm 22nd September.

Contributors to this special event are from the Oblate family from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the island of Jersey, and directly from the Lourdes Sanctuary. Members of the Oblate Youth Service and elderly pilgrims resident in nursing homes are all playing an active role.

During the filming of one of the pilgrimage events at the replica Lourdes Grotto in Inchicore - which has often been referred to as the "Irish Lourdes" - one participant commented "It was as real, as prayerful, and it was a unique few hours of encounter, and if I'm honest, I didn't expect that. I was left with a time when I was deeply touched by the whole time of being at the grotto."

We are inviting the public to send in their prayer intentions to us at lourdes@oblates.ie so we can unite in prayer together over the days of our pilgrimage.

To join the virtual pilgrimage, go to 'the Oblates; on Facebook or Youtube and all events will also be available on our website:

www.oblates.ie/virtual-lourdes-pilgrimage-2020/