Thirteen students and their teachers MR Lee and Ms Feeley went to Lourdes as part of the Carmelite pilgrimage at the beginning of October. This process started in February. Students had to organise fund raising activities to raise their fare. There were cake sales, coffee mornings, bag packs, sponsored cycles and climbs up Croagh Patrick organised.  Darragh Madden approached his uncle in ReddiLift about sponsoring half zips which we are most grateful for.

We all left Moate early and luckily, we were on the early morning flight as Storm Agatha blew in and the other flights were delayed. We arrived in Biarritz to sunshine and blue skies. Once we were all checked in to the hotel, we got ready for our walking tour of Lourdes so that we would know our way when bringing the sick and pushing the wheelchairs.

On the first evening, we went to the grotto area and to the prayer area down by the river, we had a prayer service there in preparation for the few days ahead.  The following morning, we got our wheelchair training and jobs were allocated. Some of us were trained as servers, some as readers, more were banner bearers, so we all had different roles to play and this varied throughout the week. The other priority was to look after the person who was in our care, chatting to them and ensuring they were comfortable. We went for coffee and ice cream with them and really got to know them on a personal level.

Our day normally started at 7 or 7.30 and there were different services every day, Sacrament of the sick, reconciliation services, stations of the cross, candlelight procession, Mass and many more. We all played an active part in each service. Even though we had some free time between the different services, we needed to be available in case we were needed.

Lourdes is an amazing place, most of us did not what to expect and even though Ms Feeley had told us a lot, nothing would have prepared us for it. It was incredible to see all the different nationalities coming together, it was also an eye opener to see people who are so sick going to Lourdes and the amount of people who were there to help. Every single person was in Lourdes with their story and there for some reason and it was wonderful to be part of that.

On our morning of, we went up the mountains which had the most amazing views of the Pyrenees and the town of Lourdes. As a group, we went for a couple of meals out and we also gathered for our own reflections and services at night. On the last night, we went to the prayer area at the river and reflected on the week and as we lit our candles, we brought all our thoughts and prayers. It was a very emotional evening for each of us but a sing song until 2am kept us going.

Each one of us came back from Lourdes with a different perspective, a different outlook. We learned how important it is to help and serve others. It was one of the most special places and we all felt enlightened in so many ways. As a group, we worked hard but we also had great fun, lots of chat, lots of laughter and we made great friends. Most of us hope to return at some stage in our lives.