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The 2007 Ampleforth Pilgrimage was from 13 to 20 July 2007.
Some years in Lourdes are better than others. This was, by universal agreement, a very good year. It is hard to say why, though some practical factors played a major role – the weather was good, never too hot but never too wet or cold; the flights were early, allowing people to get installed on the first day (despite a dreadfully early start to reach the airport, which seemed to be quickly forgotten); the programme was not over crowded, creating a relaxed atmosphere and pace for the week. Other factors, less easily predicted, proved vital for the success of the pilgrimage, not least the impressive behaviour of the young helpers. Fr Sebastian had done excellent work in preparing the pupils from Ampleforth, as he has done before, but this year they did seem to be unusually good in fulfilling their duties in the hospital and in responding to the whole spirit of the pilgrimage week.
Abbot Timothy represented Abbot Cuthbert leading the pilgrimage; other members of the Community taking part were Fr Benedict, Fr Alberic, Fr Matthew, Fr Francis Dobson, Fr Bernard Green, Fr Gabriel, Fr Luke and Fr Sebastian, who acted as MC with great skill. Several other priests, deacons and religious acted as chaplains, among them Fr Jock Dalrymple (E75) who spoke briefly at one of the ceremonies about the role our Lourdes Pilgrimage had played in his finding his own priestly vocation. He received his 25-year medal this year. Nevertheless we were very short of chaplains and a number of experienced and senior lay people were asked to help as chaplains.
As always, the heart of the pilgrimage is working with the sick and disabled, enabling them to come to Lourdes. We have grown accustomed to taking a whole floor of the St Frai hospital (the old Sept Douleurs) and we tend to take between 80 and 90 hospital pilgrims. They are the heroes of the week, putting themselves into the sometimes clumsy hands of well-meaning but amateur volunteers. We depend therefore very much on the dedication of the doctors and nurses, for whom the pilgrimage is something of a busman’s holiday. The chief doctor is Dr Janet Squire, [wife of James (A63) and mother of Mike (T98) and Paul (T95) who was one of the group leaders]; the head nurse is Annie Bowen-Wright [widow of Martin (H64) and mother of Matthew (H95) and Tom (H97)].
The pilgrimage leadership is in excellent hands. The Director and chairman of the two committees that administer it is Anna Mayer [widow of Alan (B58) and mother of Damian (J87), Adrian (J89) and Ali (J91)]. The Chef de Brancardiers is Rupert Plummer (W75) and the Chief Lady Handmaid is Lucy Rowan-Robinson [Fr Francis Dobson’s niece and mother of Henry (T97)]. The Treasurer is Sally Martin [mother of Hugh (J 86), William (J87), Henry (J90) and Edward (J90)]. Travel is organised by Bregje Dawson [mother of William (H06) and Claire (B), both of whom came on the pilgrimage this year with William as a group leader]; for the first time in many years she was able to come on the pilgrimage herself and she received her five-year medal; her husband Mike received his twenty-five year medal two years ago. The secretary of both committees is Alice Murphy, daughter of Richard (C59) who coordinates our Hospitalite; both she and her brother Charlie (E02) were group leaders this year. The generosity of these and many others throughout the year makes our pilgrimage not only viable but exceptionally well run.
Among the high points of the week were the International Mass, as always attended by about 20,000 people in the underground basilica, celebrated by the Archbishop of Autun along with eight other bishops and prelates including Abbot Timothy and several hundred priests. Some of us regretted that the diocese of Meaux had left that morning, denying us the opportunity of observing the successor of Bossuet concelebrating with the successor of Talleyrand. The Mass of the anointing of the sick was particularly emotional this year; it is celebrated in a beautiful open-air amphitheatre in the Cite St Pierre on a hillside above Lourdes and the weather was perfect. The service of reconciliation, celebrated that evening and led by Jock Dalrymple, proved very effective again in giving people an opportunity to receive the sacrament. Mass at the Grotto was celebrated with the dioceses of Derry, Glasgow and Nottingham; Abbot Timothy preached a very well-received homily.
The helpers on the pilgrimage, numbering about 265, work in twelve groups each of which has two group leaders and a chaplain. Some of the significant spiritual activity of the pilgrimage takes place in groups – hence the need for chaplains. This year, the groups went for their half days of recollection to the Cenaculo Community; a community of young men recovering from addiction problems, living an intense life of prayer and work together in a beautiful setting just above Lourdes (with a particularly fine view of the town rugby ground). Hearing the young men speak about their own experience and struggle to build a new life was very moving.
It is difficult in cold print to convey the emotion and spiritual power of the week. It was, in the judgment of all, a joyous celebration of what it is to be a Christian, discovering just how very good other people are and even how good we can be ourselves.
Bernard Green OSB
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Miscellaneous
