On 18^th July 2026, I had the privilege of accompanying my son, Jude (who is currently in Elements), to Lourdes, a market and pilgrimage town situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France.  Our five night trip was part of the thirty-fifth annual Brentwood Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes.  Boys from the Loyola Schola Cantorum, consisting of fifteen Loyola boys both past and present, and their families, had once again been invited to sing as part of Brentwood’s musical celebrations lead by Mrs Carmel Thomas.  This was actually the second time that Jude and I had joined the pilgrimage, having participated for the first time in July 2025.  I had assumed it would be a once in a lifetime trip.  However, Jude was so moved by the experience last summer, he was adamant that we had to return in 2026!

Each year, the custodians of the Sanctuary of Lourdes choose a theme for the pilgrimage season.  The theme of the year 2026 is linked to the powerful words which the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you’ (Luke 1:28).  Pilgrims are reminded that these words are not just a passage from the Bible but an invitation to every single person who comes to Lourdes.  An invitation to welcome, to listen and to dare to say yes to something that can transform our lives.  2026 marks the start of a new three-year spiritual journey at the Sanctuary of Lourdes, based on the Gospel according to Saint Luke - three years to walk with Mary, guided by her faith, hope and praise.  For 2026, the focus is on the mystery of ‘The Annunciation’ and Mary’s generous response to the invitation to be the mother of God’s son.  The Annunciation is such a significant moment that we recall it in the prayer known as the ‘Angelus’ which is traditionally recited three times a day.   

During their time in Lourdes, the boys sang in up to five masses, took part in services of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick and participated in processions such as the traditional torchlight Marian procession and the Blessed Sacrament procession which drew crowds of tens of thousands of people!  The extreme summer heat was a significant challenge this year with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees on some days – we joked that the boys certainly didn’t need their Schola hoodies but we could have done with some Schola fans!  Regardless of the sweltering conditions, the boys remained focused, professional and positive at all times and I was once again struck by how their dedication was a lived example of Loyola’s motto ‘for the greater glory of God’ in action.

A favourite moment from the trip was the very 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 early morning service, along with the boys’ singing, was broadcast on French national television and live streamed on the Sanctuary’s YouTube channel!  Directly after this mass, the boys were lucky enough to meet and have their photo taken with the newly appointed Archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth, who praised the boys for their angelic singing.

Asides from their choral commitments, the boys made time to light candles and say prayers for the teachers, families and friends of the Loyola community.  There were also a few late nights as the boys stayed up together to watch both the Bronze Final and the Final in the FIFA 2026 World Cup football tournament.  Seeing England beat France 6-4 whilst being in France really was a thrilling experience!

Ultimately, part of what makes the trip to Lourdes so unique is witnessing many of the different Catholic sacraments, gestures and practices live in action.  Regardless of their faith or age, experiencing these customs firsthand gave the Loyola children and their families a chance to further understand some of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in a wider context beyond the classroom.  If the Loyola Schola Cantorum are lucky enough to be invited back again then I have a feeling that we will be returning to Lourdes in the future..!