Last July, at the beginning of the school summer holidays, I accompanied my son, Jude (current Loyola pupil) along with eleven other families from Loyola to Lourdes as part of the thirty-fourth annual Brentwood Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes in France.  Boys from the Loyola Schola Cantorum had been invited to sing as part of the musical celebrations led by Mrs Carmel Thomas, who had retired from Loyola after thirty-two years of teaching there, just one week before the start of the pilgrimage.  This was a particularly special year to visit Lourdes, being part way through the Jubilee of 2025, centred on the theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, chosen by our late Holy Father Pope Francis.  The principal way of participating in a Jubilee has customarily been through pilgrimage, so it was a great privilege for the fourteen Loyola boys (past and present) to share in such tradition and Catholic practice.

Across the week, the boys sang up to four Masses, a Reconciliation service and two processions: the Blessed Sacrament procession ending in the Underground Basilica of Saint Pius X and the traditional torchlight Marian procession, both of which attracted crowds of up to 21,000 people!  Hearing the harmonies and sweet sounds of the boys singing Schola classics such as ‘Anima Christi’ and ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ over the loudspeakers amongst the vast crowds was a truly spiritual and beautiful experience both as a parent and a Christian. 

Many of the boys were repeatedly stopped by members of the public whilst enjoying some free time around the town of Lourdes, recognisable by their royal blue t-shirts and Brentwood lanyards; they were praised and congratulated for the quality of their singing and their professionalism.  Aside from their musical talents, I too was struck by the boys’ willingness and reverence for worship.  Despite some early starts and late nights performing, they remained an active part of the pilgrimage, supporting and interacting with the Brentwood community in solidarity.  The boys’ dedication really was a fantastic example of ‘for the greater glory of God’ in action and an embodiment of the core values instilled in them at Loyola.

A particular highlight was a profoundly moving votive mass at The Grotto of the Apparitions at Massabielle, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Bernadette eighteen times, telling her to ‘Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself there.’  This morning's service, along with the boys’ celestial singing, was even broadcast on French national television and live-streamed on YouTube!  After this mass, the boys were granted brief private access to The Grotto where they were invited to touch the rock face and say a private prayer as a way of making a spiritual connection with Our Lady.

Throughout the trip, the boys participated in or witnessed in action many of the Catholic sacraments, notably the Sacrament of Penance (or Reconciliation) and the Anointing of the Sick.  They also took part in a water gesture, a symbolic ritual where pilgrims wash their face and hands with water from the spring within the Sanctuary.  This gesture is a symbolic act signifying purification, healing and a renewal of baptismal vows through a recommitment to faith.  Experiencing these practices gave the boys, regardless of their age or faith, an opportunity to understand some of the customs and principles of Catholic Social Teaching first-hand and in a wider context beyond their everyday school environment.

During the course of the week, many visitors to Lourdes commented on how the presence of the Loyola Schola boys was a great sign of hope and encouragement to the rest of the pilgrims.  Bishop Alan himself thanked the boys for their great blessings through the gift of song and the peace they had helped to create.  At the end of the trip I asked my son what his most poignant memory had been, and his response was, ‘Seeing all those people smiling at us when we sang – it gave me joy in my heart!’  Many of the parents reflected on what a deeply spiritual event the pilgrimage had been and undoubtedly an experience of a lifetime for both the boys and their families. 

Lucy Wheeler (Parent and Governor)

As part of our school’s aim to strengthen community links, the boys in Prep visited Forest Care Nursing Home to spend time reading with the residents. This special visit not only brought joy and companionship to the residents but also gave our boys a meaningful opportunity to share their time, stories, and kindness with others. Experiences like these help the boys develop empathy, confidence, and communication skills, while showing them the importance of service, respect, and connection across generations. (May 2025)

Each year, Loyola Prep’s Easter Egg collection seems to grow even larger, a wonderful testament to the generosity of our pupils and their families.

Through this tradition, our boys actively participate in supporting others, reflecting the school’s commitment to community and service. This collective effort reminds us that God did not create us to live in isolation; we are called to engage with those around us, building relationships that teach us about ourselves and others. By coming together to give, our pupils experience first hand the joy of helping others and the impact of small acts of kindness in making the world a better place for all.