Friday 24th July
The Train Journey…
We woke up bright and early, having had the first good nights sleep since we left Crawley. We were really excited about meeting the main pilgrimage when the huge Lourdes train arrived. smiling faces and waving arms greeted us as we burst into song on the platform – with the classic ”OH A&B WE LOVE YOU!”. As everyone piled off the train, we set to work unloading baggage and directing the pilgrims. Unfortuanteley for us, (Patrick and Kate) our group was the one that got left behind to load the accueil truck with wheelchairs and hoists, but because of this, we did get an ice cream afterwards! 
The Opening Mass…
With Bishop Kieran before the Opening Mass
As the “techies”, it was our duty to go to mass early with two huge trolleys full of sound equipment, and set up! After a short briefing from the sound engineer, Marius, we learnt many new skills with the microphone stands, speakers and leads. The mass was beautiful and our A&B community were officially welcomed into Lourdes.
The Water Walk…
Father Rob led the redshirts in a procession around the Gave (the big river that runs through Lourdes). The water walk, consist of 9 stations which represent biblical references to the water. At each station was a bible passage followed by a reflection and an action. For example at one station we splashed our neighbour with water! After the walk a reverence overcame our group as we walked through the holy grotto of Our Lady. Beautiful candles of all sizes were positioned as we came out of the grotto and gave us a chance to reflect. I (Kate) lit a candle myself and everybody seemed to go into a world of their own. I looked about me and there were a few happy tears streaked on the faces of my fellow Redshirts- this was enough to set me off too! The whole group came together and hugs were shared on this amazing, bonding night.
Our first trip to the Grotto
Saturday 25th July
Mass at Bernadette’s altar…
Despite the yawning, us techies had to be up and ready to go to set up for the morning’s mass. Patrick was whizzing about being very technical whilst I multi-tasked with the camera. From a clear vantage point I managed to snap the main moments of mass and the Redshirts holding the rainbow umbrellas at Holy Communion. The rest of the Redshirts formed the magnificent red carpet welcoming the smiling A&B Pilgrims. The afternoon consisted of singing at the baths, practising for the talks and visiting the Accueil. As neither musically gifted or a first time Year 11 I (Kate) helped piece together the drama for our presentation to the pilgrimage on Wednesday whilst computer whizz Patrick helped design the powerpoint.
The Main Pilgrimage photo after Mass this morning...
