Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026

We were pleased to be supported this year again by Fr Maurice O'Mahony, our spiritual leader who brought 3 parishioners from St Mary's Clapham. They were welcomed to the pilgrimage.

We were able to attend the Sunday International Mass in the Underground Basilica. The music and atmosphere and the fact that Fr Maurice was concelebrating with many other priests made it a very special mass.

The weather was kind to us and we were able to fully participate in all the main events at Lourdes.

We attended Mass at the Grotto concelebrated in English with Fr Maurice on the altar.

We were able to process behind our Erdington Abbey banner for the torchlight procession and the blessed sacrament procession held in the underground basilica. We also followed the banner for our stations of the cross when many of the group were able to take up a reading. The group held their own washing ceremony in a quiet area by the river where Fr Maurice was able guide us all spiritually.

The 5 days of the pilgrimage passed very quickly and after the prayerful time in Lourdes we faced the rigours of the airport security. Then returning home safely with Ryanair reflecting on a spiritually uplifting pilgrimage.

The meditation for 2026 was the Annunciation. "Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee"

This was the first of a three-year journey with Mary. 2027 the Visitation. 2028 the Magnificat.

Hopefully the Abbey will be represented in Lourdes in these future years. 

Pilgrimage to Lourdes - 2024

A group of 26 travelled to Lourdes in June and enjoyed a very spiritual and rewarding 4 day pilgrimage . 

Fr Maurice O'Mahony C.Ss.R. was our spiritual leader and inspired all the group. We attended Mass at the Grotto concelebrated by Fr Maurice and later the group had their own washing ceremony that was very meaningful to everyone. 

The group joined in the Torchlight Procession and the Blessed Sacrament Procession, and the Erdington Abbey Banner was proudly carried in all the events. 

The group were able to have moments of quiet prayer at the Grotto where we prayed for the Abbey Parishioners. We placed the petitions from the Abbey before Our Lady of Lourdes. As ever Lourdes is a very spiritual and special place.