The final countdown to this year’s Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage has begun following a Blessing of Hands Mass.

On Sunday 18 May 2025 hundreds of people from across the Archdiocese attended St Chad’s Cathedral to have their hands blessed for whatever ministry they may be involved in.

Various groups travelling to Lourdes were represented at the Mass and will be joining children and young adults from schools, parishes and youth groups, to serve in Lourdes.

The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage is returning to Lourdes from this Saturday, 24 May to Friday 30 May under the leadership of His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishops David Evans, Timothy Menezes and Richard Walker.

Around 680 pilgrims are travelling on the Diocesan Pilgrimage, including 34 assisted pilgrims.

The pilgrimage theme this year is With Mary – Pilgrims of Hope and coincides with the Jubilee Year 2025.

Bishop Timothy Menezes was principal celebrant at Sunday’s Mass and Fr Jeremy Howard, Pilgrimage Director, delivered the Homily. He opened by inviting new volunteers to Lourdes, and regular volunteers, to describe why they have put themselves forward to serve.

The schedule for this year’s Pilgrimage is now available on our website

Please do follow the Lourdes Pilgrimage on our website and by using the hashtag #Brum2Lourdes on social media.

Lourdes Pilgrimage

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