Anniversaries marked on Raphoe Diocese pilgrimage in Lourdes

The annual Raphoe Diocese pilgrimage to Lourdes is coinciding with some big anniversaries among the travelling clergy.

Pilgrims from the Raphoe Diocese touched down into Lourdes on the same weekend that Pope Leo XIV was inaugurated as the leader of the Catholic Church.

The annual pilgrimage is lead by Fr Stephen Gorman, who is the Pilgrimage Director, will continue until Friday.

Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe, Philip Boyce, has returned to Lourdes this week after a 10-year absence and is celebrating 59 years in the priesthood this year.

Fr Johnny Moore, of the Dungloe parish, is marking the silver jubilee of his ordination while Canon Dinny McGettigan, the former parish priest in Raphoe who is a veteran of the Lourdes pilgrimage, was ordained 60 years ago. 

Archdeacon William McMenamin is on his 54th pilgrimage to Lourdes.

On Monday afternoon, Raphoe Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, marked the Strat of the pilgrimage with Mass in St Joseph’s Oratory.

On Tuesday, Fr Brendan Ward led the Stations of the Cross on Espélugues Hill while a candlelit procession took place at nighttime.

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Mass on Wednesday morning was celebrated together between the Diocesan pilgrims from Raphoe, Ossory and Ferns at the Grotto of Our Lady.

The Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll, a native of St Johnston, gave the homily.

Bishop Coll led Wednesday evening’s Blessed Sacrament Procession, carrying the monstrance through the sanctuary grounds.