As the sun rose over the foothills of the Pyrenees, the sacred town of Lourdes shimmered in the morning light with the possibilities of faith, hope, and healing. Pilgrims and volunteers from across the world gathered in quiet reflection, with the soft hum of prayer and the sound of flowing water from the Grotto. This summer, Sacred Heart Greenwich students, educators, and alumnae traveled to Lourdes, France, from July 9 to July 19, to take part in the annual Ampleforth Lourdes Pilgrimage, a journey of service, faith, and connection.
Seniors Lily FitzPatrick, Jaiden Vital, Grace Villar, Avery Quake, Ellie Furman, Lexi Parsons, and Arianna Chin traveled with Mrs. Maureen Considine, former Director of Upper School Ministry and Sacristan, and Miss Danielle Gennaro ’05, Bell Choir Director and Technical Director of Upper School Theatrical Productions, to Lourdes. In addition, alumnae Ms. Daisy Steinthal ’19 and Ms. Emma O’Connor ’19 returned as group leaders, and Ms. Bella Nardis ’24 also revisited Lourdes to continue her service.
Located in the south of France, Lourdes is one of the world’s most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites, known for its miraculous healing. In 1858, Saint Bernadette Souribou, a 14-year-old shepherd girl, experienced 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary at the Grotto of Massibelle. During these visions, a spring of water appeared, and since then, people have attributed countless miracles to Lourdes. Millions of pilgrims journey to this site each year seeking renewal, peace, and spiritual connection, according to lourdes-experience.com.
Every summer, Sacred Heart faculty and rising seniors travel to Lourdes alongside Benedictine schools, such as Ampleforth Abbey in England and Portsmouth Abbey in Rhode Island. This year, they also traveled with The Mayfield School in the United Kingdom. Together, students volunteered to aid the assisted pilgrims (APs), individuals who are elderly or physically disabled and come to Lourdes seeking healing. Through service, compassion, and prayer, volunteers found a deep meaning in their faith and discovered a greater understanding of humility and love. Miss Gennaro commented on the profound impact that the Lourdes trip had on her faith journey.
“The experience of traveling to Lourdes was so powerful,” Miss Gennaro said. “I keep coming back to the phrase that in Lourdes the veil between heaven and earth is thinner, which is a really beautiful way of saying that you feel spiritually closer to God. I feel that from my time there I have really experienced this, and I feel much calmer and at ease in my regular life. I am so lucky that I was able to take the serenity and grace of Lourdes back with me.”
Students filled their days with moments of service and spiritual growth as they served meals and accompanied the pilgrims to processions and prayer services. In doing so, students had the opportunity to form unique relationships with the pilgrims and gain insight from those with a distinct commitment to their faith. Grace reflected on the unique relationship she built with one of the pilgrims.
“I met a woman named Elizabeth Burns, the same name as my mom, and we instantly formed a bond,” Grace said. “She was 76, and hearing her story about praying to have a daughter was so touching. It reminded me to slow down and to be patient, while appreciating my relationships and extending the same love and kindness she showed me to others.”
For many students, the pilgrimage was also an opportunity to connect with people from around the world and experience new cultures. Throughout the trip, each day followed a thoughtful rhythm of service and reflection. Students alternated between early and late morning shifts, walking and assisting the patients in the hospitals during the early shifts and helping to serve breakfast during the later ones. After a short break, often spent enjoying a crepe or coffee in town, they would return for lunch duty or to spend time with the APs, offering companionship and care.
The afternoons and evenings were dedicated to connection and community. Students escorted the APs to daily Mass, guiding them in small wheelchairs and sharing in prayer together. Following Mass, they would often stop for coffee on the way back before assisting with dinner service. The days ended with lively evening activities such as talent shows and festive games that brought together volunteers and pilgrims in celebration and joy. Lily considered the importance of daily Mass and evening activities in her Lourdes experience.
“The masses were very lively, filled with a lot of singing and emotion, making them incredibly powerful to witness,” Lily said. “In addition, visiting the grotto was also a privilege. Its beauty and the opportunity to witness the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick made it a pivotal moment in my faith journey.”
Featured Image by Michaela White ’26
