This year marks 100 years since the first pilgrimage of the Liverpool Archdiocese to Lourdes, with the only breaks coming as a result of the second world war, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The theme for this year's pilgrimage is "go and tell the priests to build a chapel here." This will be the focus of the Masses and celebrations during the week.
Whilst there, pilgrims will be remembering the story of Jack Traynor who was left severely injured after the first world war - his right arm was paralysed, his legs were partially paralysed, and he also had epilepsy.
But after visiting the Lourdes baths, and being blessed by the Archbishop of Rheims, it is believed that all of his ailments were gone.
The official report, issued by the Medical Bureau at Lourdes in 1926 declared that “this extraordinary cure is absolutely beyond and above the powers of nature”.
The pilgrimage starts on Friday 21 July, below is a schedule of events for the week:
The Mass for Pilgrims N.D. des Douleurs (St Frai) will take place at 8.30pm.
The next day sees the St. Bernadette (Grotto side) Mass of Welcome at 4pm
The day starts with Sunday Mass in the Grotto at 8.30am.
This is then followed by the Blessed Sacrament Procession at 5pm.
Then the St Bernadette (Carmel Side) Penitential Celebration at 9.30pm.
It is an early start on Monday for the St. Bernadette (Grotto side) Mass at 8.45am.
Then, later that evening, the Marian Torchlight Procession (Animation) takes place at 9pm.
On Tuesday, it is a slightly later start of 10am for the Stations of the Cross on the Hill.
After that, the Rosary Basilica Mass takes place at 2.30pm.
Wednesday is another busy day, starting with St. Pius X International Mass at 9.30am.
Followed by Bartres – St. Bernadette Celebration Mass at 3pm.
That is followed by Sts. Cosmos & Damian – Adoration and Benediction at 9pm.
The penultimate day on Thursday starts with St. Pius X Anointing Mass (1.5 hours) at 10pm.
After that, the Esplanade Altar Thanksgiving Service will take place at 2.30pm.
The final event of the pilgrimage takes place on Friday, with the St. Joseph Chapel Mass taking place at 8.30am.
