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The year 2009 is a special moment of grace for
the youth of the Church. Following upon the Jubilee Year in Lourdes,
France, which marked the 150th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearance to Saint
Bernadette Soubirous, Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes-Lourdes has declared
2009 to be the Year of Saint Bernadette, dedicated to our youth.
My primary work as a Dominican priest has been with high school youth and
young adults. As many youth ministers discovered, the 2008 World Youth Days
in Australia were out of reach for most young people. I believe that the
celebrations at the Marian Shrine of Lourdes during the Year of Saint
Bernadette offer a similar opportunity.
Having served as a spiritual director for the U.S. National Rosary
Pilgrimage to Lourdes, (which has been in operation for 54 years and is a
national registered pilgrimage of Lourdes), I have asked the national
director, Elizabeth Grinder, whose office is located in Rockville,
Maryland, to organize an affordable high school youth pilgrimage during
this special year for youth. I am pleased to announce the U.S. National
Rosary High School Youth Pilgrimage will take place: July 1-11, 2009. The
itinerary is detailed here on the website. The price for departure out of
Washington is noted. Should you be departing from a different city, please
contact Elizabeth Grinder, Lourdes Pilgrimage Office to obtain an
all-inclusive rate – Tel. 1 877-276-7279.
The High School Youth Pilgrimage will reside at the Lourdes Youth Village
and or hotels (based on availability), and will provide service
opportunities for assisting the sick and handicapped visiting Lourdes.
There will be a lot of walking, opportunity to assist with pushing
wheelchairs, participating in Liturgical Services with youth from around the
world, participating in the Processions of Lourdes, social gatherings,
times for reflections, etc... It is a wonderful opportunity for our Youth
to experience the Universality of the Church. The last few days extend the
Lourdes experience by traveling to Nevers to see the incorrupt body of Saint
Bernadette, a visit to Lisieux to see the childhood home of St. Therese, and
a visit to the Miraculous Medal Chapel in Paris. I shall be accompanying
this pilgrimage, as will other priests and Dominican friars.
The
following is a blurb for your Youth Group’s Newsletter or parish bulletins:
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES:
Missed out on World Youth Days? Another
pilgrimage opportunity is available July 1-11, 2009 with the U.S. National
Rosary High School Youth Pilgrimage. The year 2009 is a special moment of
grace for our youth because the Church in Lourdes has dedicated it to the
young Saint Bernadette. This pilgrimage offers youth-specific events and
service opportunities in Lourdes, as well as visiting Saint Bernadette’s
incorrupt relics in Nevers, the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Paris, and the
childhood home of Saint Therese in Lisieux. Additional information is
availabe at
www.lourdes-pilgrimage.com or you may contact me at (513) 561-59 54 or
Elizabeth Grinder at ( 301) 740 – 9332 or Toll free: 1 - 877-2-ROSARY
( 1-877-276-7279)
The youth
ministers will be asked to respect a 1:7 chaperone-youth ratio. The youth
must be in high school or graduating in spring of 2009. The pilgrims will
be required to fill out a liability release form and a medical power of
attorney, in addition to the requisite forms required by their own
dioceses. All chaperones (21 years or older), will be required to provide
proof of child protection certification as administered by their diocese.
The youth will be asked to sign pledges, witnessed by their parents and
youth ministers, promising not to drink alcoholic beverages in France. This
pilgrimages promises to be fun and spiritually rewarding, yet the safety of
the youth is our primary goal.
Attendance will be limited by the accommodations at the Lourdes Youth
Village (to be determined), and/or hotels in Lourdes.
Thank you for supporting this special event for our youth!
God bless,
Fr. Michael
Fr. Michael Dosch, O.P.
St. Gertrude Priory
Cincinnati, OH 45234-3009
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