A Retired Rector's Reflections

Just before I began my pilgrimage to Lourdes last September I was celebrating Mass in a church not far from home. After the intercessions in the Mass had been said I mentioned to the people that the following day I was setting out on a pilgrimage which would culminate at Lourdes. I offered to pray any prayer requests anyone present may have, and invited people to let me know any at the end of the Mass.

I was overwhelmed by the response. At least half of those present came to me with requests, which I carefully wrote down. Some had already written down their requests and they handed them to me. I was very moved by their concerns. Many were for relatives or friends in poor health or in seriously concerning situations. A young lady asked for prayer for a dear friend whose baby was very ill. An old man asked for improved mental health for his daughter. The list was long and I felt quite humbled to ‘pack’ them in my luggage for Lourdes.

I have always felt it is a priest’s duty to pray for, and on behalf of, those committed to the priest’s care. It is a primary duty of a parish priest, and one which people within a congregation and well beyond it see as central to a priestly calling. I do wonder about it at times. Why pray for some, not others? Why does God ‘need’ us to pray? What is special about certain places? And so on. There are many questions I can’t answer. However, I do know that at times I have felt supported by others prayers, and I am encouraged by the faith in prayer so many have. When I doubt I find it best to persevere, and sometimes I feel in my heart that prayers have been answered.

At Lourdes I left a copy of my prayer lists at the grotto, joining them with the many thousand prayers offered day by day there.

My pilgrimage came to an end in a day visit to Chartres Cathedral. As I was just about to light a candle there for all for whom I was asked to pray a text message came through. A parent texted me to say they felt my prayers seemed to be working, their child’s health was unexpectedly improving. I experienced what seemed like a gust of wind blowing me back a step. I lit the candle, and wondered.

Yesterday, four months after my pilgrimage, a young lady contacted me to tell me her friend, who had had severe mental health problems was slowly recovering. She thanked me for prayers said at Lourdes. I asked her, in turn, to ‘say one for me.’ She said she would, and I am grateful.