All posts by 3 churches

Lent is coming…

lent

Fast from judging others,
feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences;
feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness;
feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness;
feast on the healing power of God
Fast from words that pollute;
feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent;
feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
feast on optimism.
Fast from discouragement;
feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress;
feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from laziness;
feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion;
feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken;
feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow;
feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains life.

Earthquake prayer

prayers

This prayer for those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria comes from CAFOD.

God of mercy,
We pray for the people of Türkiye and Syria
following the recent earthquakes.
We mourn the death and destruction

And pray for those who have died and those who grieve.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

We hold in our hearts those who are injured,
and those who have lost loved ones, livelihoods, and homes.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

Sustain and guide all responding to this disaster.
Grant those affected courage and resilience,

As they rebuild their lives and communities.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

Inspire us to unite in solidarity,
acting swiftly and generously,

So that help may reach all who need it.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.


Amen.

The Basilicas of Lourdes

newsletter

Saturday is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The shrine attracts millions of pilgrims, and over the decades this has required more and bigger churches, which can confuse, or even overwhelm the visitor at first. The Domaine, or Sanctuary area, covers 130 acres and while its heart is the simplicity of the Grotto where Our Lady appeared, there are now many places of worship, and three of these are “basilicas”, a name given to a church as an honour, or distinction by the Pope. Entering the Sanctuary through St Michael’s Gate, the pilgrim will find the first two. The first, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, overlooks the second, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. The third basilica is underground and extends along the great esplanade of the processions.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception was started in 1866, and is the chapel requested by the Virgin Mary during the 13th apparition: “Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here and that people should come in procession”. It bears the name revealed by the Virgin to Bernadette in the local dialect: “Que soy era Immaculada Concepciou”. It is in a neo-Gothic style, and over 50 metres long, while the spire reaches 70 metres. The stained-glass windows detail the Apparitions, and the history of Lourdes and the Church.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary is built in a Romano-Byzantine style, on a Greek cross plan, i.e. with four equal arms. It was consecrated in 1901, and features mosaics representing the mysteries of the Rosary covering 2,000 square metres inside, while the Mysteries of Light were added outside in 2008.

The Basilica of St Pius X was inaugurated in 1958 for the 100th anniversary of the Apparitions. The vast underground basilica is an architectural feat by its dimensions, while its design, elliptical in shape and resembling an upturned boat, is unique, thanks to modern means such as pre-stressed concrete. It is the place for the celebration of international Masses, large gatherings, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the blessing of the sick at the end of each Eucharistic procession. It covers 12,000 square metres and has seating for 5,000 but can accommodate 20,000 people in total.

Fr Matthew, edited from the official website www.lourdes-france.org/en