I’m writing this blog on Friday and I can’t believe how quickly this week has gone.

Wednesday started off with half of the group going on a retreat led by John Cornwall, Sean McGrath and Fr Paul. I enjoyed learning about the disciples and how they were not so perfect. The moral of the retreat was that even though we are not all perfect God still loves us. Whilst we were on retreat the other half of the group was assisting the pilgrims. During the afternoon the service group went off to help with Fr Bob’s group who were going out for a drink and some ice cream.

In the evening all of us were together for our reconciliation service where we all got the opportunity to say sorry for our sins and the chance for forgiveness. Every year this seems to be the most moving and emotional moment of the trip. There were tears but it was more tears of relief and joy that God had written off our wrong doings and they were all now a distant memory. After this had finished all the groups were given the opportunity to go down to the Grotto for a period of peace and reflection, but also it gave others a chance to go to confession if they had missed out earlier.

Thursday started off with the pilgrims being taken to mass in the morning. In the afternoon, we all went off to Gavarnie, a town high up in the mountains, where they held their own mass on the grass with the mountains surrounding them. The service group were left back in Lourdes to help transport the pilgrims up to Gavarnie where they were given the chance to do a little shopping but mainly to give them a break from the hustle and bustle of Lourdes.

In the evening we were split into two groups. Those in year 10/11 stayed in the bar at the Eden and had a Michael Jackson themed party. Those in years 12 and 13 went to a local cafe where they played pool had some social time and just generally relaxed.

Today (Friday) the service group said goodbye to Fr Bob’s group by having a very eventful mass in the morning. Fr Bob’s group then returned to pack before getting on a coach to take them to Lourdes airport to fly back to England.

The Pilgrims and the youth both had mass together this afternoon in which the certain members of the group performed a very beautiful signed song of the prayer of Bernadette.

This evening after dinner we will be holding our annual talent show in which the acts will most likely range from singing to dancing and from what I am hearing a few comedy sketches. After the talent show we will be having an end of pilgrimage party which is usually very eventful and will certainly mean a very late night. So here’s hoping for a late start in the morning.

This is my final report so I hope you have enjoyed reading my updates of the week and I ask you to pray for our safe return as we make our way home tomorrow. This trip has proven that there is more to the youth then what the media portrays.

Hope to see you all back next year!

Will