HCPT Blog 3 - The Centrality of Love

Grotto from across River Gave

After just two days together our little group from around North and West London feels very much like a family. The group model has been used from the start of HCPT, and it means that however large the Trust grows there are still loving relationships and opportunities for children to feel involved with something manageable, where the adults around them know their names and needs.

Love is central to the faith celebrated by HCPT. We saw it this morning in our group Stations of the Cross.

The low stations can be found past the Grotto, after a pretty walk by the side of the shimmering River Gave. The basilica was chiming 'Ave Maria' in the distance and we could hear the chorus of 'You Raise Me Up' from the packed Irish Regional Mass in St Bernadette's Chapel where the main celebrant with Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry. The sun shone brightly, and the vivid blue sky and green prairie seemed to embrace us as we assembled at Station 1.

In the first decades of HCPT, most groups did the high stations on the hill above the Grotto. I remember each wheelchair being in the charge of three sturdy people - usually from the Royal Navy - and a child once reporting that it was the most exciting thing he had ever been allowed to do in his life. Nowadays, I am pleased we do the low stations - no climbing involved. They were created in 2001 to give better access to disabled pilgrims and that is an important priority. Though it is more relaxed, it is still a poignant reminder of the suffering and love of Christ and the hope of the Resurrection.

Using the HCPT Easter Pilgrimage Prayer Book, our chaplain, Fr Gerry McFlynn, brought forward each child in turn to do a station reading and offered a short reflection. As we walked between stations, appropriate chants were sung, including, 'Behold the Lamb of God', 'Jesus, remember me', and, of course, 'Rise and Shine'. The Stations led our group to reflect upon the crosses we must bear in our own lives and the hope offered by the Resurrection. We heard at the last station, which here is the Emmaus story, that Jesus accompanies us in our everyday lives with love and compassion. Afterwards the children played on the prairie.

In the afternoon we walked to St Joseph's Chapel - there are so many chapels in Lourdes - for a regional Mass involving around 12 groups from around North London and environs. Two service groups of helpers were from St Nicholas Breakespear School in St Albans and St Benedict's in Ealing. It was a joyful occasion, marked by hilarious spontaneity and the beat from shakers of all kinds during hymns. One of the lead singers had hearts painted all around her face. The inclusivity was underlined by the main celebrant, Fr Norbert Fernandes of Welwyn Garden City, signing much of the Eucharistic Prayer. The sharing of the Sign of Peace went on for a very long time!

Hymns, such as 'Christ Be our Light' and 'Shine Jesus Shine' stressed the week's theme of light and the need to shine a light into dark places throughout the world. A new hymn, 'Let your light shine' was produced by the Scottish region, which is leading on liturgies this week, and it was sung with great gusto as a first communion hymn; especially the chorus: 'Let your light shine, for all the world to see. You are the salt of the Earth, you are the light of the world.' I hope it catches on. Each group had produced a decorated candle for the Mass - the work of creative helpers and children - and at the end the candles were swopped. This encouraged groups to celebrate others around them and retain an outward-looking dimension.

And tonight all the HCPT groups - more than 100 - walked in the torchlight procession, led by the HCPT. Our group walked alongside Irish and Polish groups. While adults held candles, children cannot for health and safety reasons, so there were plenty of luminous wristbands, flashing headgear and torch beacons.

We also did our group photo today outside the Rosary Basilica and visited the HCPT HQ where we could buy prayer cards, HCPT bags, sweatshirts, pens, balls, wristbands.... you name it. The children focused on buying badges. The adults bought postcards to send to benefactors. The circles of love include all those who have supported groups to be here, especially children who would otherwise not be able to afford this pilgrimage holiday.

For more information see: www.hcpt.org.uk