It was a day of celebration at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, as the archdiocese came together to celebrate the miracle of Jack Traynor.

Traynor was a soldier in the first world war, and came back with multiple serious medical conditions, including epilepsy and paralysis.

He was a pilgrim during the first archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes back in 1923, and after being in the baths in Lourdes, found himself cured of his conditions.

His story has always been remembered on the annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady, but in December 2024, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon declared his cure to be miraculous.

On the traditional feast day of St Bernadette, thousands travelled from across the archdiocese for a Celebration Mass for the occasion.

Archbishop Malcolm was the chief celebrant, with Most Rev Jean-Marc Micas, Bishop of Lourdes and Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and priest of the archdiocese, among those concelebrating.

Dr James Connolly, Pilgrimage Senior Medical Officer and Cath McCarthy, President of Hospitalite, both gave Readings, while members of Jack’s family and Dr Alessandro de Franciscis brought the bread and wine to the altar.

In his homily, Bishop Jean-Marc referred to the gospel scene where people block access to Peter’s House and a paralysed man is carried by others and descended before Jesus through the roof of the house.

He said this gospel scene sheds light on what we celebrate about the miracle of Jack Traynor’s healing.

Cardinal Nichols made the closing remarks, and thanked Archbishop Malcolm for the invitation to attend.

He said: “I think it will renew within me, the deep love and devotion which we have for Mary, and the confidence with which we can take our troubles to her.

“This evening, we might pray for Pope Francis as he carries a burden of illness and hospitalisation.”

At the end of Mass, Fr Grant Maddock, pilgrimage director, was announced as a chaplain to the Shrine of Our Lady in Lourdes, as recognition for his work and dedication with the pilgrimage over the years.