Oblate parishioners organise virtual pilgrimage to Lourdes
By Maurice Garvey
THE pilgrimage to Lourdes had to be postponed this year due to Covid-19 but that did not stop parishioners from the Oblates in Inchicore getting involved in the annual event.
A virtual pilgrimage to Lourdes was organised by the Oblates in Inchicore, which began on the evening of Saturday, September 19 and finished on Wednesday, September 23.
It was based on the theme ‘Bringing Lourdes Home’ and parishioners were encouraged to join the virtual pilgrimage on the Oblates website and social media channels.
A replica Lourdes grotto was also created at the Oblates in Inchicore for the celebrations.
The very first English speaking pilgrimage to Lourdes was organised by the Oblates in 1883.
In the years since, over 100,000 people, sick and volunteers have travelled to experience a place of healing and peace.
Covid-19 forced the Oblate community to ‘pivot online” with morning and evening prayers and streaming of Masses.
The virtual Lourdes pilgrimage featured three online events each day – morning reflection at 8.30am, Mass at 12 noon and an evening event at 7pm.
Contributors were from the Oblate family in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the island of Jersey, and directly from the Lourdes Sanctuary.
A live link was broadcast from Lourdes for the torchlight procession on September 22.
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