Graiguecullen pilgrims celebrate 50th anniversary
Fr John Dunphy, PP of Graiguecullen/Killeshin, celebrates Mass at Lourdes grotto Photo: John J Bradley
HUNDREDS of people from Graiguecullen/Killeshin made a pilgrimage to Lourdes recently for the 50th anniversary of the first trip to the sacred French town by people from the parish.
The annual trip began in 1976, organised by Gerry and Alice Bradley from Graiguecullen, when three people made the pilgrimage. It has grown exponentially since then, with two full plane loads of Carlovians and others descending on the Pyrenées in France.
To mark the special occasion, the parish was invited to carry the statue of the Virgin Mary during a torchlight procession while St Clare’s Choir also performed at the famous grotto where lady is believed to have appeared.
Killeshin resident Edwina Comerford, who was making her sixth pilgrimage, described how the procession was nearly cancelled due to torrential rain.
“On the night we were due to carry Our Lady, there were thunderstorms and heavy rain and it was feared it would have to be called off, but thankfully it wasn’t,” Edwina said.
“While we all got drowned and some volunteers even left their posts it was that bad, it was actually a great experience and we all just had to laugh at how wet we were,” she added.
For the most part, the pilgrimage enjoyed perfect weather, with the highlight coming on the fifth and final day during Mass at the grotto.
Bishop of Lourdes Jean-Marc Micas celebrated the service in English, along with Fr John Dunphy and Fr PJ Martin, while Edwina and some of her fellow parishioners recited the readings, with the St Clare’s Choir providing hymns, including a few .
During the pilgrimage, two parishioners, Sr Jacqueline and Pauline Byrne, were each recognised for their dedicated voluntary service to Our Lady of Lourdes when they received the five-year service medal.
