On Saturday 10th September, seven students from Downside made their way to Clifton Cathedral to view the relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes, which are currently being toured in the UK.
The days events were organised by School Priest Chaplain, Fr Michael Patey, Mr Stowell and Mr Andrewartha where by pupils would view the relic and afterwards take part in the rosary and the evening prayer of the parish.
The day’s events were organised by School Priest Chaplain, Fr Michael Patey, Mr Stowell and Mr Andrewartha where by pupils would view the relic and afterwards take part in the Rosary and the evening prayer of the Parish. Saint Bernadette came from a family in Lourdes, a town in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the south of France. When she was young, St Mary appeared to her 18 times. As a result of these apparitions and the knowledge that she performed miraculous healings, she was canonised. Lourdes is now testament to St Mary’s legacy, her miraculous powers of healing have attracted seriously and incurably sick people from all over the world to drink the holy water from the springs in Lourdes, providing strength and hope to many.
Who was St Bernadette?
Saint Bernadette came from a very poor family in Lourdes, a town in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the south of France. When she was young, St Mary appeared to her 18 times. Because of these apparitions and the fact that she performed miraculous healings, she was canonised. These miraculous healings contributed to the fact that many seriously and mostly incurably ill people go to Lourdes to drink the holy water from the springs, through which they hope to be healed and recover.
A Lower Sixth Former wrote about the experience:
After meeting in the courtyard at 5pm, we set off on our pilgrimage in a minibus. Our first stop was not too long into the journey, at Whitstone’s Traditional Fish & Chips, where we ate the typical British food; and they were really delicious. After our short break, we set off again satiated. On the way, we prayed the Litany of Loreto.
We arrived just in time, because shortly after we entered Clifton Cathedral, it was made possible for visitors to venerate the holy relic and say a short prayer in front of it. Afterwards, everyone present went on a procession of lights through the church. Meanwhile, the rosary was prayed in various languages and the well-known “ave, ave, ave Maria” was sung between the mysteries, raising the candles to heaven at the refrain.
Last summer I was in Lourdes, also for the procession of lights, and I must say that the procession here was at least as beautiful and appealing.
After the procession through the Cathedral, most of the visitors, worshippers and helpers left “the event”. But we stayed to participate in the evening prayer and the last rosary of the day. It was also possible for us to go to confession throughout the evening. On the way back we also spent time in prayer, but now with the Litany of St. Bernadette, which was of course very fitting.
In my opinion, it was a very beautiful experience and a unique experience. The feeling of cohesion of a community, of Catholic Christians, can only be conveyed at such events and gatherings. And I am proud to be part of such a big family.
With my closing words, I would like to thank our teachers on behalf of all participants who made this unique, fulfilling experience possible. The beautiful sense of community among members of the Catholic family is strongly conveyed at such events.