The traditional pilgrimage to the French sanctuary of Lourdes departed this Wednesday from Valencia with the participation of 1,100 people, who travel in 20 buses and, tonight, on a plane. According to María Jesús Arnandis, president of the Valencian Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes, the organizing entity, the number of participants exceeds expectations and reaches the highest figure in the last ten years.
Diverse participation and comprehensive support
Pilgrims from the 32 delegations of the Valencian Hospitality joined the trip, as well as groups from Juniors, Scouts, parishes, residences, foundations and institutions such as the Cottolengo of Valencia. In total, 1,100 registrations were recorded, including 225 sick and disabled people, more than twenty priests, volunteers and healthcare personnel. The president highlighted that this initiative «fills all participants with hope, especially the sick and people with disabilities or dependents, because these are days of coexistence, of participating in religious acts, of sharing faith, and the human relationship experienced is one of the things that fills them the most.»
Religious activities in Lourdes
Once at the sanctuary, the pilgrims will participate in the torchlight procession, during which all the faithful will pray the rosary. The traditional mass at the Grotto will also be celebrated, as well as the solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament. These activities seek to strengthen the spiritual experience of the attendees, in an environment of recollection and Marian devotion.
More than 95 years of history
The Valencian Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes, which has organized this pilgrimage for more than 95 years, «has dedicated every day of its existence so that the sick, their families, pilgrims and service personnel can share days of prayer, work and coexistence in each pilgrimage to the sanctuary,» added María Jesús Arnandis. This year’s edition reaffirms the commitment of the Valencian community to faith and solidarity towards the most needy.
Original source: www.abc.es (published on June 26, 2024)
Photo: Pille R. Priske on Unsplash
