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Lourdes Pilgrimage March 2008

ASCPG Lourdes Pilgrimage

Our pastor, Fr. Peter Palmisano and a few of Mt. Virgin's parishioners hosted the Special Children and pilgrim group on a journey to Lourdes on Easter Sunday, 2008.  Fr. Peter has been involved with this special pilgrimage for several years and is an inspiration to the special needs children and other pilgrims on their journey to Lourdes France.

They were privileged to be chosen to orchestrate the TRUST MASS which is for 5000 people who come to the Lord's Table to pray, praise and worship God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Joanne Briglio joined them as a helper and her nephew, the great Vinnie Latona, Jr. is one of Fr. Peter's pilgrims. Sr. Joanne and Angela & Sal D'Angelo went on the journey well.

See new Slideshow of beautiful photos of here!

See video of News Channel 4 covering this story at OLMV

Photos from Lourdes

Link to News 12 Diane Campbell's Blog on Lourdes

Link to News 4 Pat Battle's Blog on Lourdes Pilgrimage

See photos of previous OLMV Lourdes Mass and gathering

Link to ASCPG web site

Back to Mt. Virgin Homepage

Read Lourdes Memories... I don't have a lot to say, which is saying something in itself. The experience was awe inspiring and indescribable. While I have been on other pilgrimages, the dynamics of the group, the deeply formed relationships, and the peace present throughout the week are simply miraculous and inspired clearly by God through the intercession of Mary. It is a trip that must be taken and is made so much more profound by the journey of pilgrimage, seeing first hand the spiritual healing that can take place even when you can't see the physical healing desired." Bob McLaughlin My experience in LOURDES was amazing!!!! I feel like I'm literally going through Lourdes withdrawals these past two days since I've been back. I really miss it. The thing that touched me the most was the love that everyone shared for each other. There was alot of bonding. I saw the changes in the people's hearts through the expressions of love and joy in their faces as the week went on. It was maybe the first time in my life when the joy of other people increased my own joy so much. I cried like a baby on the way home from the airport. I felt like I was leaving my family. How do you go from spending every waking moment with these new people that you are constantly bonding with to not being with them at all? I guess the only real way is to keep them alive in your hearts. God knows its been tough for me these past few days, but I'm very grateful for the experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Thank you VERY MUCH Fr. Peter for asking me to go. I will never be the same. Paul Houlis In Lourdes, "Our Lady's" special place, so many memories and cherished moments were shared with so many special people that I will never forget. I felt the true meaning of love, friendship and new life. Being so close to children with disabilities gives you such a wonderful feeling of strength and courage, and helped me to realize what is really important. We spent morning till night with these Special needs children and watched them come alive. Always laughing, dancing and singing their hearts out. At the Grotto, where I prayed for my family and friends, I felt so close to the Blessed Mother and was deeply moved. The candlelight procession was speculator, and the "Trust Mass", celebrated by Fr. Peter, Bishop Donato, and Fr. Joe for 6000 + people, took my breath away. I am so blessed that I was "Called by Name" to go to Lourdes, and how fortunate am I to have been able to share this journey with my nephew Vinnie. "Rise n Shine", Joanne Briglio "What an amazing journey!" Before going on this pilgrimage, I expected that so many handicapped and special needs children would sadden me, however the exact opposite happened. I was completely touched and amazed by the joyful spirit clearly seen on the children's faces. I can honestly say the love of all the helpers was extremely contagious. A few other experiences I found profound and enlightening were the three-hour procession in the rain, the faith of all those waiting on line for hours to enter the baths, and the climb to the life size Stations of the Cross. Overall, the Lourdes pilgrimage experience allowed me to grow in faith and realize that we are all God's children and each and everyone of us is here for a purpose. " Thanks. Angela D'Angelo First and foremost to be at the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is a Gift. It is an amazing place to be! The living Faith of the people, at times, is almost tangible, it strengthens your Faith. Being part of ASCPG was a joyful experience. The celebrations of the Eucharist with the Special Needs Children was amazingly wonderful! Their spontaneity and enthusiasm in praising God is inspiring. One wishes that every Eucharist celebration could be celebrated with so much joy. Wish you all could have this experience. Let Fr. Peter know that you'd like to go along with the ASCPG next year. It will be an opportunity that could transform you. Sr. JoAnn It has not stopped raining in Lourdes. We are soaked to the bone. But I think that maybe a good thing. Lourdes is all about the water--The story is Bernadette, a poor child who could not read or write--was digging around in the town garbage dump looking for bones and rags and some firewood---this is the short version--but at one point the Blessed Virgin appears to her and says--go dig over there--and wash your face---typical mother don't you think? Bernadette's face was very dirty, after all she was in a dump---and I have been to a few garbage dumps so I know how dirty you can get--I love that story--especially this week here in Lourdes--we were all dirty --muddy--wet ---good thing Bernadette dug up that spring! Bernadette reminds so much of the children who have come to Lourdes this week--5 thousand handicapped children from all over the world--washed and bathed in Bernadette's spring. Bernadette was not taken seriously when she told her family and her priest about the vision she had seen. It was only when she revealed that the beautiful lady called herself the Immaculate Conception--did anyone take notice. That is what I have done here in Lourdes--I have taken notice--- The children here have made me so aware ---they are spontaneously joyful, loving, caring, ---they cry when they are sad--they sing their hearts out ---and dance with abandon---they also touch lives all around them----everything they do is from the heart--everything they do is pure---Pure like the mountain water from Bernadette's spring------ We are leaving later today-and the sun has finally come out!! And give God the glory, glory Children of the Lord. And so despite everything--despite it all-----Those miraculous kids made all of us--Rise and Shine! Danielle Campbell Have I mentioned that it has been raining EVERY day, sometimes ALL day, since we got to Lourdes? Well, it has been. But it really hasn't been worth mentioning. In fact, I only mention this now because it finally stopped just in time for tonight's candlelight procession, an event unlike anything I've ever witnessed. Thousands filled the plaza outside the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. While thousands of people walked shoulder-to-shoulder with the Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust, groups that together make-up this wondrous tapestry of people from all over the world. Leading this year's procession was the American Special Children's Pilgrimage Group. A reminder here that I am not Catholic, but neither are more than half the people (including the youngsters) who are on this trip. This is about humanity. Humanity at its best as far as I'm concerned. It's almost impossible for me to convey to you what is happening here. Five thousand people from nine different countries, have come together and it feels like we all come from the same community. Having a child with special needs puts a parent and a family in a unique place. But here, we all have company. Company who doesn't stare at your child because he or she looks "different." Here no one glares at you if your kid speaks a little loudly in a quiet setting, or sits down when everyone else is standing, or just dances to her own beat. Here you have the gift of a knowing smile, a caring word and a helping hand. Pushing a wheelchair uphill is no easy task!! A confession: I've known about ASCPG for some time. Amyan who's made the trip seven times, is one of my daughter Neva's best friends and her dad and sister Stephanie (our group leader) have been pleading with me for years to let my daughter go. Since parents generally are not permitted, I declined. But watching my daughter, Neva, rock to the sounds of the Christian rock band "The Grace Notes" with NYPD detective Steven McDonald; seeing her embrace little Ursula from Northern Ireland (time and time again); and watching as she sways in the rain to the gentle hymns as they celebrate mass, all leaves me speechless. So I will quote my daughter, Neva, who says: "This trip is any amazing journey.." Or my 8 year-old son Clark who says: "Lourdes is super and you should come here. Everyone!" Or my 9-year-old son, Jumper who told me today: "People with special needs aren't any different from us. What makes them SPECIAL is that they NEED us more." 'Nuf said...Au revoir, Pat Battle