Due to the fact that the annual Clogher Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes had to be cancelled for 2020, the Diocese is organising a virtual pilgrimage so that those who were intending to travel to the Marian shrine in the south-west of France can experience at home the prayefulness of Lourdes and the sense of belonging to the Lourdes community. The virtual pilgrimage is to be held online 3-8 July – the original dates of the pilgrimage. The Masses and various devotions will take place in different churches across the diocese and will be transmitted via a dedicated website – www.lourdes2clogher.com
The virtual pilgrimage will begin with an Opening Mass at 8pm on Friday 3 July, celebrated by Bishop Larry Duffy from St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan and broadcast via the website. Bishop Duffy will also lead the virtual torchlight procession (which has been recorded) on the Saturday evening, 4 July, and he will also lead the recitation of the Rosary on Sunday evening, 5 July.
Speaking this week, the Director of the Clogher Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Brian Armitage, Lisnaskea, said that the virtual pilgrimage was a great opportunity for people who would wish to be at Lourdes during those days to be part of the Lourdes experience in their own homes. ‘This initiative is being led by a small dedicated group from within our executive committee. They are answering the desire of many people who want to share something of the Lourdes experience at this challenging time’, he said. The Spiritual Director of the pilgrimage, Canon Noel McGahan PP, Clogher & Eskra, said that the virtual pilgrimage would be an opportunity for people to come together, albeit in a virtual sense, to pray for each other and, especially the sick. ‘The annual pilgrimage to Lourdes is an important part of the life of the diocese and for many individuals and families. The virtual pilgrimage is a response to Mary’s call, through St Bernadette, for people to come to the shrine of Lourdes for prayer and healing. I hope that many people will experience that over the course of these days’, he added.
The programme for the virtual pilgrimage is as follows:
Friday 3 July 8pm Opening Mass from St Macartan’s Cathedral,
Monaghan. Celebrant: Bishop Larry Duffy
Saturday 4 July 6pm Mass from St Joseph’s Church, Carrickmacross
Celebrant: Monsignor Shane McCaughey PP VG
8pm Torchlight Procession online, led by Bishop Duffy
Sunday 5 July 3pm Mass of the Sick from St Patrick’s Church, Clogher
Celebrant: Canon Noel McGahan PP
8pm Recitation of the Rosary, led by Bishop Duffy.
Monday 6 July 10am Mass from Church of the Holy Cross, Lisnaskea
Celebrant: Canon Jimmy McPhillips PP
8pm Stations of the Cross with Fr Leo Creelman and
members of Clogher don Óige
Tuesday 7 July 10am Mass from St Mary’s Church, Castleblayney.
Celebrant: Fr Stephen Duffy
8pm Holy Hour and Penitential Service from St
Michael’s Church, Enniskillen. Led by Fr Raymond Donnelly.
Wednesday 8 July 8pm Closing Mass from St Mary’s Church, Pettigo.
Celebrant: Monsignor La Flynn, Prior of Lough Derg.
All of the programme will be available on the dedicated website www.lourdes2clogher.com on the relevant dates.
