Lourdes Pilgrimage 2023

“Being here is like experiencing a slice of heaven”. These were the words of one of our pilgrims and we certainly felt this about our experience of Lourdes. Over the May half-term, a group of 10 students and 3 staff joined the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes and served the sick and elderly pilgrims who had come to Lourdes in search of community and healing.

During the week we attended a variety of Masses, reconciliation and youth services, torchlight processions and stations of the cross. A particular highlight for me was the life-size stations of the cross which brought to life the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It was a week full of joy and prayer, made even more special by the STACS night prayer we held with all our school community out in Lourdes, and the night prayer we led for the pilgrims, which I helped put together and designed special prayer cards for…there were definitely some tears shed!

By far the most special aspect of the pilgrimage was the time with the pilgrims, especially Brother Liam who passed on all his knowledge about the Basilica in Lourdes, and Eddie and Bryan, who had everyone in stitches and gave some legendary tours of the Accueil. It was a privilege to serve the pilgrims and we all really enjoyed spending time with them and hearing all their stories and memories of their many trips to Lourdes. Despite all the travelling and being far away from home, Lourdes became home and will always have a special place in my heart. It is an experience I highly
recommend to everyone and I really want to return next year.

Timeille 12-DSU

Subsequently, the school received the following email:

Dear Chris,
We send this email of Thanks and commendation to you in relation to the group from St Thomas Aquinas who last week travelled as part of the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Led by Gemma Baker each individual in the group showed an outpouring of love, friendship and care to all that they served.

Each of these moments was a joy to witness.

Please pass on these comments to all concerned:

• Chris, as always a personal Thank you for your support and encouragement of your school community being part of the pilgrimage and serving others.
• We look forward to welcoming St Thomas Aquinas back to Lourdes in 2024.
• Sending you all every best wish for the remaining part of the school year.

Sarah Hickman - Chief Handmaid and President of Birmingham Lourdes Hospitalite.
Kevin Boyle - Chief Brancardier.

Miss Baker
Religious Education Faculty