Lourdes Pilgrimage 2012
Lourdes 2012 was yet again another fantastic week. We had a relatively small group with us this year but everybody pulled together and yet again the guests had a great time. Those that travelled to the wonderful peaceful town in the south of France for the first time this year were a credit to themselves giving freely and showing great character throughout the week. The week as it always is was a fabulous and cheerful experience despite the one night when we chose to guide the guests through the torchlight procession and later found ourselves caught in a torrential downpour of rain. However this was nothing a good old cup of tea and a biscuit couldn’t solve.
It is important for us to recognise those in the youth service who have devoted themselves to the cause and who received five year medals this year. Five members of the youth servive recived medals this year, Martin O’Connell, Lisa Mckee, Eoin Carey, Paddy Cagney and Barry Murphy. This year one particular member of the Oblate Youth Service, Felix Emmanuel received a Chalice that recognised his substantial service to the pilgrimage throughout the years he has been part of it. These medals and awards are symbols that recognise the commitment and kindness shown by these members on the pilgrimage. They provide us with examples of leadership for which the rest of the group may learn from and in the end work towards the greater good and ultimate care and comfort for our guests. With a significantly smaller group this year the work was tiring but it did not stop us as unit, yet again every single member of the group managed to go the extra mile! On behalf of all involved a major thanks to all. Lets make Lourdes 2013 another great year.
The Author: Donal Lane
Oblate Youth Service Member
