Prior Provincial Fr John Harris OP and Fr David McGovern OP were Spiritual Directors on last month's National Dominican Pilgrimage to Lourdes. The number of pilgrims is increasing each year, with over fifty people travelling on the Dominican pilgrimage this May.
The 66th International Military Pilgrimage was taking place over the first few days, with military-led ceremonies, parades and processions adding to the vitality and energy at Lourdes sanctuary. In the quietest spaces of the sanctuary, and during the celebration of Mass at the Grotto of Massabielle, the military silently represented their nations as they honoured Our Lady of Lourdes.
Upwards of 15,000 military personnel and their families were in Lourdes, with the Irish Defence Forces amongst those present. Prior Provincial Fr John Harris OP had the wonderful opportunity of meeting with Fr Paul Murphy, Defence Forces Chaplain, and other members of the chaplaincy team. On Saturday evening, the group experienced the Torchlight Procession led by military personnel - one of the highlights of the annual military event.
Our pilgrims enjoyed many special moments, including an early morning prayerful journey along the 'High Stations' on the Hill of Espélugues, stopping at the commemorative 1913 Lourdes Irish Cross to sing Hail Glorious Saint Patrick. And later that morning, a beautiful celebration of Holy Mass in the Chapel of St. Maximilian Kolbe on the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. That day concluded with the moving experience of Fr Harris OP presiding over the evening's Marian Torchlight Procession and presenting the day's intentions to Our Lady of Lourdes at the Rosary Basilica.
Joining the pilgrims were Frs Michael Dunleavy OP, Gregory Carroll OP and Fabio Alexis Sánchez OP, along with Br Michael Mary OP.
Photos from the May 2026 pilgrimage can be viewed by clicking here.
The 2027 National Dominican Pilgrimage to Lourdes is planned to take place in June.