In Lourdes, every year in August
This pilgrimage is a unique experience of sharing and rejuvenation and can provide new momentum and dynamism.
For Eastern Christians, Lourdes is a well-known and highly symbolic Marian site. All of them had a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in their homes, which they had been introduced to by missionaries. The processions remind them of those they experienced in their home villages. In this way, they pray in communion with all the Iraqis and Syrians who remained in their countries.
Lourdes offers them the opportunity to experience a pilgrimage that will recharge their batteries: traveling as a family in the heart of summer, discovering a Marian site in an exceptional mountain setting, taking a break from a daily life that can sometimes be difficult (without work, without income, far from family members, etc.).
They discover the presence of sick people, disabled people, people marked by precariousness, marginalization… Young men have discovered and experienced service in the context of Hospitality and want to commit themselves again.
Helping Christians in the East to participate in the Pilgrimage means:
- Take into account their desire to gather in a highly symbolic place and to strengthen their sense of belonging to a community, given the fragmentation of families.
- Experience a highlight of the year from which they all return transformed and full of joy, memories, and new connections.
- Becoming aware of the importance of spirituality in a setting different from that of their country of origin and the French parishes in their regions. The richness of different peoples is highlighted, and the dimension of God’s people is particularly visible, especially during the ceremonies on August 15 and the prayer for France and the world.
- These challenges are multiplied tenfold if pilgrims who wish to do so can play an active role in the services and various spiritual offerings.
By donating €340, you enable an adult to participate in the Pilgrimage.
By donating €140, you enable a child from a family to participate.
A price list for the pilgrimage is established according to region and age group. It indicates the actual price and the minimum amount requested, which varies from €340 (single adult) to €140 (child with family) and represents approximately half the actual price. Each pilgrim is asked to pay what they can, while obviously respecting the minimum amount.
Thinking of the many Iraqi refugees, I would like to say to them: you have left everything behind, like Abraham; like him, preserve your faith and hope, and be builders of friendship and brotherhood wherever you are.
