BRITISH CATHOLICS AT LOURDES

New Zealand Tablet, 25 July 1912, Page 43

BRITISH CATHOLICS AT LOURDES

There was a remarkable scene at Victoria Station, London, on May 30, when 850 Catholics left London on the national pilgrimage to Lourdes, which was undertaken under the personal direction of Cardinal Bourne, Archbishop of Westminster. .

The pilgrims, the vast majority of whom were ladies, came from all parts of the United Kingdom, and a large percentage were visiting the famous shrine in the hope that their physical infirmities may be cured. To accommodate this large party twp special trains were run to Folkestone, with an' extra number of luggage vans for the use of the invalids. These suffered from almost every kind of disease which is commonly regarded as incurable. There were 36 stretcher cases, while about 200 were suffering from some more cr lt'ss serious ailments. One little lad, who has never known what it is to stand upright, was brought to the station from the Catholic Hospital of St. John and St. Elizabeth at St. John's Wood on a stretcher under the care of two nurses. There was also a lady who is without the use of her feet, and she was carried through the streets from "her home in Belgravia by, two luggage porters, and an elderly man, who was blind, was led to the train by a priest.

One well-dressed gentleman arrived on the platform in a bath chair, which he propelled himself, and many brought crutches which they devoutly hoped they

would be able to do without on their return from the other side of the Channel. ,;-'

A detachment of the Catholic Ambulance Brigade was in attendance at the station to assist in the removal of the invalids upon their chairs, but the corps did no* travel with the pilgrims. ,".,:_,-'' '■/'■% The first pilgrimage Mass was celebrated by his Eminence Cardinal Bourne at the Grotto on June 1. On Sunday Solemn High Mass was celebrated in the Rosary Chapel, with sermon by the Bishop of Clifton, after which the pilgrims proceeded in procession to the Grotto for the re-dedication of England to our Blessed Lady. *'