Praying in the grotto on the last morning
Before Lourdes, I went to meet our chaplain Fr Martin in his parish, St Bede's in Chadwell Heath. We discussed our experiences of Lourdes and he said something that really stuck with me throughout the week. It was something I knew already through my dozen or so previous trips, however his simplicity and clarity on what makes Lourdes so special was one which I think is important to understand to anyone making the pilgrimage.
Lourdes is very simply, an absolute coming together of faith and suffering. It is like nowhere else.
Some of the suffering is visible; people in wheelchairs, on crutches, with disfigurement, disability. Much of it is invisible; the search for truth and meaning, the questions of belief, the doubt, emotional, mental, spiritual turmoil.
Suffering is a natural part of the human condition. Our lives fluctuate between the joy and the sadness, the good times and the bad, the conviction and the doubt. Without one, we could never appreciate, or understand, the other. Lourdes brings all of these things together in a very real sense.
Fr Stephen Myers always describes Lourdes as a place where a "corner of heaven touches earth". Certainly the reality of our lives are present and brought, in prayer, to the Grotto. If it is possible that heaven can touch earth, Lourdes should be the place. The suffering cries out for it, the faith wills and encourages it. Every time I visit, I kneel in the grotto, usually at night, and remember the words:
"Abba, Father... everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.
Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:36)
Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:36)
Sometimes I have a little tear, other times a smile. Sometimes both. Mary is there, everything will be alright in the end. A former colleague, Pauline Smith, once told me the best way to get through life was to have the faith of a child; "simply accept things as they happen, God has a plan.". It can be tough at times, but to have faith in this idea really does help.
On the other hand, the absolute joy of a HCPT pilgrimage is evident time and time again during the week; the colour, the singing, the dancing, the smiles, the hugs. That very real suffering, is in some way small way, overcome, at least for a moment.
Where does this joy come from?
Where does this joy come from?
Bishop Burchell McPherson's homily at Trust Mass revolved the simple message that "God loves me... and so I rejoice!". Does this joy simply come from faith? Did everyone find it easy to repeat this back to the Jamaican bishop? Does everyone, with their suffering, feel confident that God loves them? Can faith really overcome the suffering?
On Tuesday night (Day 2), I asked one of our VIPs (the name we give to the children we take in Group 206), "What have you enjoyed so far?"
He replied with a big grin, "Everything. Everything is brilliant". He then went on, "I'm so happy to see everyone, everyone in 206 is great.". Yes it is, and yes they are.
He replied with a big grin, "Everything. Everything is brilliant". He then went on, "I'm so happy to see everyone, everyone in 206 is great.". Yes it is, and yes they are.
The week is not without its struggles. Early starts, late nights and the physical demands of the week often take their toll. There isn't much time for socialising; the legendary Jeanne D'Arc got one visit for one pint this year. There were lots of people I only saw in passing who I'd have liked to catch up with, maybe next year. However, life in a HCPT family group isn't like that. The key is the 'family' part; it just doesn't work if you do only what you want.
"Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Mark 8:34)
The words of the Gospel sum up the week; we all share in the struggles. However through the suffering can often come great joy. One helper was feeling a little down as he had been ill, so to cheer him up, I took him on an adventure to a place he hadn't been before. It was one of my most fun mornings in Lourdes exploring the truly bizarre wax works museum; we truly discovered "the meaning of Lourdes"!
Later in the week I asked another VIP what they enjoyed most about being in Lourdes with us. She said, "Seeing everyone being so happy and fun, even you!". I think it can be hard for someone who knows you in a work/school context to then see you in Lourdes; wearing fancy dress, leading songs in the street, playing silly games... filled with the absolute joy of the HCPT pilgrimage; "when HCPT is in Lourdes you can see the smile on the face of the risen Christ" (from the Trust email to helpers).
"A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
There is a lot of love in Lourdes with the HCPT. A lot. Just as much as the joy, if not more. Again, I think this is the nature of the family groups and the whole spirit of the HCPT. Brother Doctor Michael brought children to Lourdes as an act of love in 1954, based on his great faith. That love continues in a very real sense during Easter week.
One of the privileges for me this year was realising that I am better known in Lourdes as "Mr Lewis" rather than Andy. This is in large part thanks to David Silver and his running of the 718 service group, made up of St John Payne students. Many of these come once with the group and then come again with various family groups including 206. It does at times make me feel a little old, but confirms that everything I told them about Lourdes in our lessons was right; maybe they remember the group pictures I used to have up on my classroom wall? ("Is that Disneyland Sir?").
Lighting candles is always important, particularly in the sadder of circumstances. I always light one for my four grandparents, one for my family and friends, one for Emma (a VIP who sadly passed away) and one for my students. This year a few people requested prayers and a candle at the grotto. The suffering and faith still meet even for those people back in the UK. A dear friend also lost his grandmother while we were away and it was important to light a candle for him and his family; sharing faith in the hope of easing, if only a little, the suffering.
Lourdes 2015 was an amazing one. There were a few absentees who I missed dearly, but we had a LOT of fun and Trust Mass was once of the best ever. Our family group was a real family, although dressed head to toe in orange! Thank you to every single person who helped us get there... donating, fundraising, promoting or simply praying for us.
"I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2.18)
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