An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 31 parade around the edge of the central alter. The Basilica of St. Pius X, as it is oth- erwise known, is over 600ft in length and built entirely of concrete, it can easily hold over twenty thousand people. At the end of the ceremony each nations band marched around the alter and out of the arena. It was quite notable that the Irish DF Pipe Band got the loudest cheer on each side of the altar as they marched and played their way out. On Saturday the parade departed for the Grotto, where an English-speaking mass was held. This was followed by the traditional group photos at the steps of the Basilica for the Irish pilgrims. The parade formed up again and march up through the streets of Lourdes to the 'Cimitiére Langelle'. A prayer service was held in the cemetery at the Irish Memorial and followed by wreath laying by the COS and Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD, in honour of the Irish pilgrims who were buried in the cemetery. Cpl Anthony Kelly of DFSM gave a spine-tingling rendition of The Dark Isle to finish the ceremony. After Lunch the Parade departed for the 'Stations of the Cross' (High and Low Stations). We made our way up along the path, a 4ft cross was carried along route, stopping at each station Fr. David Murphy said a prayer and read out a list of soldiers who had died overseas, covering all members over the fifteen stations. Saturday evening saw the Marian Procession, this was the military version of the torchlight procession. Thousands of soldiers and pilgrims lined up along the banks of the river Gave de Pau down by the grotto. The procession began and they made their way out towards and around the monu- ment 'Calvaire des Bretons' and then back up to steps of the Basilica. Just like the first candlelight procession on the Thursday night, it was a sight I found hard to describe and will remember for the rest of my life. The procession seemed to go on and on as people streamed through the grounds of the Basilica, finishing the ceremony the Irish Pipe Band played Amazing Grace. As the song finished the bells of the Basilica sounded out and gave the performance a very ecclesiastical feeling to the end of the ceremony. Sunday had a more relaxed feel about it with Fr. Des Campion celebrated mass for the overland group and Fr. Bernard McCay-Morrissey saying mass in the 'Poor Clare Convent'. After lunch the 'Au Revoir Ceremony' took place on the steps of the Basilica with all the National flags lining the steps leading up to the upper Basilica. In the evening, the parade marched to the 'Salle Notre Dame' for the Irish pilgrims closing ceremony. This afforded the blessing of objects and a presentation of 'Support' and 'Service' awards to people who had supported the running of the pilgrimage. On the final day of the Pilgrimage a mass of 'Thanksgiv- ing & for Peacekeepers' was held in the Upper Basilica by Fr. Gerry Carroll. This brought an end to the formal cer- emonies of the pilgrimage and the rest of the day was free to either visit the infamous baths or any other tourist loca- tions of Lourdes before the flight home the next morning. On reflection of the pilgrimage, I look back with fond memories. The people that travel with the Irish contingent every year are very friendly and made the first timers very welcome. The DF Pipe Band were phenomenal, entertain- ing not just us but everyone on the streets of Lourdes and people attending the events. The Chaplains were always on hand for any advice you might need or even just to talk. But most of all the town of Lourdes is a sight that needs to be seen with your own eyes, from the Basilica Notre Dame to the un- derground Basilica and many other locations of worship in this wonder- ful town, you will not be disappointed. Cpl Anthony Kelly playing at the Irish Memorial in the Cimitiére Langelle The Pipe Band lead the way up the hill towards the Cimitiére Langelle Cadet Fogarty holding the national flag outside the Grotto

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