Over 2,000 people have travelled to Lourdes to take part in the 60^th Pilgrimage from the Archdiocese of Dublin which runs until Friday. The first Diocesan pilgrimage was made by boat and plane in August 1949. 
 
At the opening mass of the Pilgrimage in Lourdes Archbishop Martin urged those taking part, to take home something of the spirit of Lourdes. In his homily) he said, “The change in our economic situation will make a climate of generosity and solidarity essential in many ways in the weeks and months ahead.” (See full homily under ‘Archbishops Talks and Addresses’  on this site) 
 
In a special appeal to the young people taking part in the week long pilgrimage Archbishop Martin praised their effort in volunteering and helping with the sick, He asked them to, “let the difference you experience here in Lourdes make you different in whatever path of life you chose.  You want a different and a better and a more just and a more caring world.  Do not leave that to others.  In whatever path you follow standout as people who are yourselves good, and just and truthful and caring.”
   
168 sick pilgrims have made the journey to Lourdes, helped by 620 volunteers. There are 50 nurses attending, 8 doctors and students from 15 secondary schools in the Diocese. The Diocesan Office of Evangelisation and the social care agency of the Diocese, Crosscare will also be represented along with 45 Diocesan priests. 
 
Dr. Martin asked pilgrims attending the Mass to pray for the priests of the Diocese saying it is not an easy time for the Archdiocese of Dublin, adding, there are trials, there is a real shortage of priests, and there are so many tasks to be attended to.
 
Pilgrimage Director, Fr. John Gilligan paid tribute to the ongoing hard work and dedication of the volunteers who made the pilgrimage such a success every year. “The dedication of so many, particularly young people to helping the sick and infirm make this pilgrimage is an annual beacon of hope and solace to us all in the Diocese.” said Fr. Gilligan, “Particularly this year, when so many people are facing their own individual hardships and economic struggles, the selflessness of the volunteers is uplifting.
 
The programme for the pilgrimage opened with Mass of Welcome with sick pilgrims on Monday afternoon. Pilgrims will participate in five days of prayer, reflections and celebration of the Jubilee Year including the torchlight Marian Procession, Mass of the Anointing of the Sick and a Youth Mass with Sick pilgrims.