HCPT Blog 4: Share God's spirit today

Prayers in the Sheepfold

Today was truly a summer's day in Lourdes. HCPT groups in their distinctive colours were walking around in tee-shirts and sunglasses amidst dazzling morning sunshine. Scottish groups were very visible with their tartan and bagpipes. The Croatian group had their usual red and white checkered tops. We had time for a visit to the prairie and baths before gathering at tiny St Gabriel's Chapel, above the Rosary Basilica, for our group Mass.

Everyone was involved in readings, intercessions and music based around the Gospel reading of Jesus joining disciples on the road to Emmaus. Intercessions were placed on the altar. One hymn was 'Share the light' with its chorus, 'Share God's Spirit today…. Share God's Spirit today.' But how do we do that?

A part of the answer is with beautiful healing liturgies. Another is showing compassion and love to our immediate community and letting ourselves be touched and changed by vulnerable people with unique perspectives on the world and faith. This is a strength of the HCPT experience. Another is acting on the social teaching of the Church and supporting people in need through action for justice and peace.

We saw a wonderful example of this when in the afternoon we visited the Cité Saint-Pierre in the hills above Lourdes. Founded in 1955 the Cité is a welcome and accommodation house of Secours Catholique-Caritas France. It takes in visitors who might not otherwise be able to come to Lourdes. There is no fee and each pilgrim is free to contribute according to means. There is a capacity of 500 beds in six pavilions and full board. It is an opportunity to remember poor communities around the world and a place to pray and act for justice and peace. Nearly a million meals have been served to visitors in the Cité, some of them almost as poor as the 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, the shepherdess to whom the "Lady" appeared in 1858.

In fact, the Cité has a 'sheepfold' chapel, modelled on the thatched barn in Bartres where Bernadette tended sheep as a little girl, and it is popular for HCPT Masses. The walls are rough stone, the roof is of thatch and the floor is paved with large, uneven flagstones. An ancient crucifix 'is suspended over the altar by rusty iron chains and the sanctuary lamp is an old-fashioned shepherd's lantern of bronze. The seats are three-legged milking stools. But helpers in our group were particularly struck by the scales of justice behind the altar and the Gospel imperative to work for justice globally, particularly linking the shared Eucharist with the sharing of food in a world where millions face starvation.

Anna - one of hundreds of volunteers who will be working at the Cité in the coming months - then brought us to the Cité's huge canteen. The theme of a mural covering a whole of one wall is the sharing of bread. And there is a clock with no hands and the inscription that 'Charity is Beyond Time'. That canteen can and does feed hundreds every day. Outside it, peace doves honour the importance of peacebuilding in a world where conflict is a key cause of hunger.

Our children also enjoyed visiting the Cité's scenic Cathedral of the Trees where some of us have enjoyed outdoor Masses with other pilgrimages amidst the beauty of God's creation. The group felt the Cité is a very special and tranquil place, offering challenges to our own lifestyles and priorities. Overall, we were left reflecting: What more can we do to share God's Spirit today?

So, midweek in our pilgrimage, this was very much a day for group activities, with HCPT logos seen not only in Lourdes but at the HCPT's Hosanna House, Bartres - a nearby village where Bernadette spent time in childhood, and further afield. Our little group had our night prayers at the Grotto.

Tomorrow, everyone comes together for the annual Trust Mass, which will be held first thing tomorrow morning in the cavernous underground basilica. Everyone is very excited for the Mass is a highlight of the week. It will be livestreamed for those who wish to join from home.

LINKS:

HCPT Facebook: www.facebook.com/HCPTpage/

HCPT Easter 2024: www.hcpt.org.uk/easter-2024

On the pages above you can watch the livestreams of the major HCPT events and of people passing through the Grotto.

At 9pm every night join on Facebook or YouTube for Prayers on the Stairs, an online version of the night prayers which pilgrimage groups hold in their hotels.

- Trust Mass - 4th April at 9am UK time
- Blessed Sacrament Procession - 4th April at 4pm UK time