Earlier this month, 90 members of the Clogher don Óige community embarked on a profound pilgrimage to Lourdes, a place renowned for its deep spiritual significance and miraculous healing. Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, Lourdes is where the Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, offering messages of hope, faith, and conversion.

Our pilgrims, young in age but rich in spirit, ventured to Lourdes with hearts open to the transformative encounters that awaited them. Each step of the journey was woven with prayer, reflection, and a profound sense of solidarity, as they joined together in the universal Church's mission of faith.

many of the young pilgrims commented that one of the most moving experiences was the candlelight procession, where the glow of thousands of candles lit up the night sky, symbolising the light of Christ shining in the hearts of His people. In these moments, our pilgrims united their prayers with those of countless faithful from around the world, offering their petitions and thanksgiving to Our Lady of Lourdes.

As they return home, the pilgrims carry with them strengthened faith, lasting friendships, and a renewed commitment to live out the Gospel values in their everyday lives. Lourdes reminds us of the power of faith and the community that nurtures it, inspiring us all to continue our journey with trust in God's providential care.

We invite you to explore the photographs and share in the beauty of this pilgrimage experience.

Along with 3,500 young people from across Europe and further afield (we were there for the week with the highest attendance this year!) our CdÓ teens attended daily small group bible study, joined with the Taizé Brothers three times a day for prayer, Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spent time together reflecting and journaling on their Taizé experience... simple living, stepping away from the regular routine of life, times of silence, less access to technology.

​Check out all our photos here.

July 5th-10th 2019
62 young people from across the Diocese, accompanied by Fr. Leo Creelman, Youth Director James McLoughlin and 9 volunteer leaders travelled to Lourdes as part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage.
The young people played a key role with the Assisted Pilgrims from the Diocese, making sure they got to all the Masses, liturgies and other events of the pilgrimage. The young people of Clogher don Óige also played a central role in the liturgies during our six days in Lourdes - leading the Low Stations, the Closing Ceremony and various prayers and music at Masses. The young people excelled themselves, with servant hearts were a credit to themselves, their families, parishes and communities.