Kerry Diocesan Pilgrims Celebrate a Deep 50th Anniversary Connection to Lourdes

Marian Horgan, Listowel (left) and Imelda Twomey, Kilmorna waiting board the flight from Kerry Airport on the Kerry Diocesan 50th anniversary Lourdes Pilgrimage. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Nora Fealey, Castleisland Parish Office pictured with Fr. Nicholas Flynn and Bishop Ray Browne before the flight on the 50th anniversary Kerry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Tadhg and Maureen Fleming, Killarney pictured with Fr. Nicholas Flynn and Julianne O’Sullivan, Rathmore at Kerry Airport awaiting their flight on the 50th anniversary Kerry Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Fr. Nicholas Flynn and Fr. Pádraig Kennelly at Kerry Airport ahead of departure on the 50th anniversary Kerry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Pilgrims, Eamon Canty, Listowel; Joanne Fitzgerald, Currow; Jimmy and Sheila O’Connell, Castleisland; Eamon McAuliffe, Knocknagoshel and James O’Donoghue, Cordal are ready to board their flight to Lourdes on the Kerry Diocesan 50th anniversary pilgrimage. ©Photograph:John Reidy

A busy departure lounge at Kerry Airport as pilgrims await their flight on the 50th anniversary Kerry Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Fr. Nicholas Flynn pictured with Nora Fealey, Castleisland Parish Office and Enda Lynch, Valentia arriving at Kerry Airport for the flight to Lourdes on the 50th annniversary pilgrimage. ©Photograph: John Reidy

A packed departure lounge at Kerry Airport on a recent Thursday morning spoke volumes of the decades deep connection and devotion the people of the county and neighbouring areas have with Lourdes.

“Over 50 years ago the Diocese of Kerry decided to go on pilgrimage to Lourdes to assist and enable sick pilgrims to visit the shrine,” said Fr. Nicholas Flynn – who, along with Bishop Ray Browne, led the pilgrims on mission 2024 from the county.

“This year is the 50th anniversary of the trip to Lourdes with assisted pilgrims. Due to the pandemic assisted pilgrims were unable to travel some years.

Changed Over the Years

“The pilgrimage has changed in many ways down through the years, but the main purpose is still the same, to take the sick to Lourdes.

“Hundreds of people have travelled with the Kerry diocese over the years to pray and help others. “Young people from our schools travel to be with the sick as well as nurses and doctors,” Fr. Flynn added.

“At the start the diocese travelled from Cork or Shannon airports but then Kerry airport came on

board and both management and staff here have always gone beyond the call of duty to assist the pilgrimage especially the sick and elderly.

People from Every Parish

“People from every parish in the diocese join the pilgrimage, praying and helping.

“This year the relics of St. Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage to Ireland for the very first time and will visit every diocese in the country.

Fr. Flynn explained that, in Kerry, Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church in Tralee will be where the relics can be venerated on Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14^th – it’s like Lourdes coming to Kerry.

Once in a Lifetime Event

“This very special, once in a lifetime event will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisma of Lourdes.

“But nothing can compare with the experience of Lourdes itself where the sick take pride of place.

Hopefully the Kerry diocese can go on enabling those who want to travel each year to do so,” he concluded.

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