It was the 6th of September 2011 and the 60th official group of Belvedere College gradually arrived in Dublin airport, looking sharp in our rain jackets we assembled apprehensive about what lay ahead but we were calmed by numerous pep talks from Bro. Davis. Terry, and Mr. Keogh. With all arrived we checked in at the desk and headed off for breakfast, all of us mingling talking about the task ahead of us. We got to breakfast but on the way there we walked past a new gaming room that the airport has. So when we were all done our food we all, including Mr. Keogh, headed down to the gaming room and spent a little time in there. Travelling to Lourdes was no easy feat for Terry’s 12 apostles, the new name we had christened ourselves; a simple route was out of the question. We would fly to Bilbao in Spain and then embark on an arduous four hour bus journey into the South of France. Our fears weren’t helped when we saw our “bus”, closely resembling a van with seats in the back. However, it was sufficient and amidst a chorus of dreadful singing we eventually reached Lourdes, covered in sweat due to a combination of 30 degree heat and no air conditioning.

One word could capture our accommodation, adequate. The wall of Salle Bernadette was covered in a huge mural of Pope John-Paul and Pope Benedict. The stunning artworks mislead us a little as we entered around the side and were led to our cubicles.

The sun was beaming and the streets were cluttered with people but it was the lights that amazed us the first night. Immediately, neon signs fill the lower skies. Each narrow street lined with tacky tourist shops, overflowing with plastic statues of Mary in all the colours of the rainbow. It really is incredible how the atmosphere differs when you leave the main gates. Silence is replaced by shop music and the strong religious vibe emitting around Lourdes is somewhat lost among the tourist obsessed town.

The Torchlight Procession consumed everyone. The view of candle flames from hundreds of people grouped together in the distance is a unique spectacle while the massive structure of the towering Basilica also had us in awe as we attempted to grasp our surroundings before the big start tomorrow. It is as if there is no transition from day to night in Lourdes, artificial lighted signs and candles claim the position of the sun when it sets.

We had our first encounter with the Grotto that night. This is where Mary appeared to Bernadette and told her to dig and drink from the spring that was there. The spring is visible at the back of the Grotto, whose walls have been rubbed smooth by the hands of the millions of people who have passed through it. The silence that surrounds the Grotto is extremely powerful, making it easy to sit and pray for anyone. A vivid image of the entire Grotto still languishes in my mind, of the white light traipsed over the stone, shining beautifully. This, coupled with the utter darkness, was perfect. It was the first, but certainly not the last, aspect of the trip that would far exceed previous expectations.

All twelve of us were lucky enough to be working on the wards for the duration of the week. Our job in the wards seemed fairly simple, whatever the pilgrims needed, do it. We were all divided amongst different rooms, a few of us even lucky enough to be in rooms full of women! Making new friends quickly became a necessity rather than a luxury.
The helpers from the Dublin Diocese are split into “whiteshirts” and “blueshirts”, white being those returning to Lourdes while blue were the school groups. This meant we were easy targets for the more experienced whiteshirts, we always had to be wary of pranks, particularly from the ex-Belvederians. Some of the favourites included get the pump for the Voitures (the chariots we brought the pilgrims around in which had rubber wheels.), get Bernie and tell her Mary is waiting at the Grotto for her or go get the Fallopian tubes from next door!

The first day was fairly hectic, with jobs been done everywhere you looked. A group of us were given the task of setting up the beds in each room, only to find out afterwards we had done them in the complete opposite way!
The pilgrims arrived later that day after expected delays. We all met the helpers in our rooms and most importantly, our pilgrims. We were all thrown in at the deep end, but no one had a problem. We all began to hit it off with our pilgrims at once, stories being shared and jokes being told.

Throughout the week, lunch would be spent by all of us boasting about who had the more interesting pilgrims. Everyone seemed to have someone special in their rooms. We had our first taste of Prairie that night, which was a gathering of all the blue shirts where we would have a reflection on each day. Most importantly each school had to get up and perform each night so we watched on intrigued as we were up the next day! This was a great way to relax because each person was given a candle to hold while all of this was taking place and it was a stunning sight to look at. We would all sit in a close bunch and generally speaking all of us would be talking to each other, making new friends and experiencing Lourdes the way we were told we would by past pupils who previously went on the trip. We carefully selected to perform “Truly, Madly, Deeply” in football hooligan style due to the distinct lack of singing talent among us. The 90’s love song was well received as our unique twist won over the crowd.

The week was to begin with mass at the Grotto. This was a very special mass for everyone as it was the first time everyone was down at the Grotto as a group, a place where the sick pilgrims save up and wait a year to see again and again. It was a tender moment as smiles could be seen on the faces of all, sick or not.

Later that day, it was our ward’s chance to go to the baths, a truly special aspect of Lourdes. The majority of the pilgrims were eager to go, but some needed a little persuasion. I was very proud of myself as I managed to convince one woman this was a chance she should not miss, and thankfully, she took my advice. The transformation of her mood afterwards was amazing, she went from quite a cranky woman, to one full of life.

Some of us got the opportunity to visit the baths along with our pilgrims, tactically bringing them to the top of the queue then skipping across to the top ourselves! Those that didn’t go at this time went later in the week. Yet everyone agreed that it is a wonderfully odd sensation. The fact you are so vulnerable yet calm, you feel a sudden closeness to God. It really is unexplainable but fantastic. And it really is true how quick you dry!

Now we had been hearing a lot about the processions that we were going to take part in and the first one was the Eucharistic procession. We stood outside, towered by the Basilica before us in the searing heat. Our pilgrims were lucky enough to be shaded in their voitures while we bore the brunt of the sun’s rays. We were all deep in conversation with our pilgrims as we pulled and pushed wheelchairs through the Procession. Eventually, the sprawling lines of people reached the underground Basilica. This church is incredible, dwarfing any of its kind in Ireland. It resembles as large concert arena, with enormous screens hanging from the ceiling and rows of pews lined out in all directions. The mass was a pleasant one, and we all enjoyed the retreat from the sun for a while. During the mass one Belvederian attempted to inform his pilgrim, one of the priests, that he was due his medicine. He was rejected, and in front of the colossal crowd he duly strode back to his seat defeated.

A Penitential Service was held for the pilgrims on Friday and they were all given confession back at the Accueil. The blue shirts were handed the same opportunity later in the week during Prairie. We all took part, everyone feeling as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. It reminded us of the religious aspect of Lourdes, which was sometimes forgotten as we had all become so occupied with our pilgrims. It’s easy for the faith in Lourdes to be lost when you are working so tirelessly yet this really highlighted it once again for all of us.

Shopping was on agenda for the pilgrims in the afternoon and all the members of the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage descended on the town in search of presents, mementos, photographs and even simply a pint! These times spent out and about were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, and portrayed how our bonds with our pilgrims had strengthened. We had become friends, not only chauffeurs. Hours were easily spent engrossed in conversation. Addresses were exchanged and letters promised as we all tried our best to retain the relationships we had developed. While others shopped, some waited for the Archbishop for photographs. A lot of us ended up in these photos alongside our pilgrims much to our delight.

The Youth Mass on Saturday morning was superb, it was one of the most engaging sermons I have witnessed. We were treated to the duo act of Fr. Paul and Fr. Sean, our very own Jedward! They captured the attention of both young and old in the church in a beautiful service. The choir, in which Belvedere was represented by Mr. Keogh, belted out such hits as “Marching in the Light of God” and “Oh, Happy Days” to give the mass real life and energy. Everyone took part in the mass, the Belvederians proving quite talented at flag waving, better than our singing anyhow!

We finally took part in the Torchlight Procession that night. We had sat out on the roof of the Accueil the previous night as we were given a brilliant view of the spectacle. Watching the orange glow of people snake around the grounds is unforgettable, especially from such a height. Being part of the procession was something different entirely. There is a vibe felt of being part of such a large, spectacular movement. Throngs of people walk in tandem singing “Ave Maria” in a way which would inspire hairs to stand on your neck. It was a pity that the wind would disrupt our candles yet it did little to dampen the spirits of the pilgrims as they were wheeled to their final destination in front of the Basilica. Mass was said as the Basilica towered over us, the perfect scene for a quite prayer amongst the massive crowds.

The final day of the pilgrimage we were handed another chance to perform, this time acting would be the task. Each school is given a Station of the Cross to perform for the pilgrims, but as our group was rather large we had two stations. First up was the “Washing of the Feet” as some Belvederians were treated to water being poured over their feet by Jesus dressed in bed sheets, an emotional performance. The second group had a slightly more action-packed station to perform, “Jesus Falls For the Third Time.” A very believable fall by Jesus and the cross was followed by even more realistic whipping! Some of the lads enjoying it a little a too much! However, it all went according to plan and I was informed by my pilgrims later that we all deserved an Oscar for our roles.

That evening finished with a final passage through the Grotto for our pilgrims, silence descended as we walked through, each person consumed by their own thoughts and prayers. And then, after a last mass, it was back to the Accueil for the Farewell Party. The place was buzzing as music rang out, decorations hung from ceilings and smiles etched on every face. The entertainment came in all sorts, gymnastics, singing, Irish dancing and even a surprise appearance by the Irish rugby team, closely followed by an RTE camera crew! Sadly, Belvedere were not given another opportunity to showcase our singing ability on the night. Our pilgrims went to bed, exhausted from an extraordinary week and awaiting their departure in the morning. Other than a few short words the next morning, it was the last time we saw our pilgrims. It truly signalled the ending of the trip.
The week ended with a tanning session on the beach in Biarritz, the result being a group of sunburnt Belvederians boarding the plane home to Ireland as we left Lourdes behind us, for another at least.

Ross Mullen