Clogher don Óige

Clogher Diocesan Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage

6th - 11th July 2009

Day 1

Sixteen young people from the diocese of Clogher have arrived in Lourdes. They set off at 2am Sunday. There were pickups in Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone. After settling in to the Hotel Alba and getting some lunch. Matthew brought the group for a tour of the Grotto and the Hospital where the young people will be helping the sick and disabled.

The group then attended a short mass with beautiful singing and guitar playing from one of the group's leaders - Una McGinity. It was then back to hotel for evening meal and a chance to get used to our new surroundings.

Later that evening the group watched a film depicting the life of St Bernadette. The film showed the hardship she had to endure and how Lourdes has become a place of great religious significance.

After a long day the group were soon off to sleep to prepare for the week ahead.

Day 2

Started with everyone heading down to the hospital to take the assited pilgrims to the opening mass. It was quite an experience to see the efficiency at which the brancardier orgranised the pilgrims and soon had them lined up ready for the first procession to the opening mass. The young people of Clogher dived right in and were soon chatting to the assisted pilgrims. They each got their chariots and set off for the opening mass.

After lunch it was back to the hospital to take the pilgrims to the penitential service.

Pilgrims enjoying the service

Matthew and Una getting ready for the service


Some of the Clogher Youth Group taking a well earned rest after dropping the assited pilgrims back to the hospital for evening tea.

Walking tour of Lourdes

Geraldine Haren checking how she measures up to this life size statue of St Bernadette.
St Bernadette was a petite 4' 11" tall

Kevin and Oliver enjoying the walking tour of Lourdes

Torchlight procession

Rachael from Kilanny Co. Monaghan and Mairead from Coonian Co. Fermanagh getting the Chariots ready for the Torchlight Procession

Oliver Campbell, Geraldine Haren and Peter McAtasney with their assited pilgrims getting ready to set off for the Torchlight Procession. Looks like we are in for some rain.

Gavin and Oliver with Mary and Brian setting off for the Torchlight Procession

Mairead Higgins with one of the assited pilgrims. Good to see the rain has gone

Clogher Diocese set off on their procession around the grounds at Lourdes

Click here for Days 3 - 4