On Monday 23rd August 2010, during a celebration of Mass at the Grotto in Lourdes by the Catholic Association Pilgrimage, three priests of the Association were made Chaplains of Honour of the Sanctuaries. Fr Nicholas King SJ, Fr Antony Lester OCarm, and Mgr William Saunders were appointed Chaplains of Honour to the Lourdes Sanctuaries by Mgr Jacques Perrier, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. The position of ‘Chaplain of Honour’ dates back over a hundred years, and is a recognition of the work done by clergy in promoting the message of Lourdes, pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Grotto and the Shrine’s pastoral life and outreach.

The new Chaplains of Honour (l to r): Fr William Saunders, Fr Nicholas King SJ, and Fr Antony Lester OCarm. (photo courtesy of www.carmelite.org)

The citation, read by Colette Sharrock, President of the Catholic Association Hospitalité (helpers’ organisation) praised Fr Saunders’ long service as Pilgrimage Director of the Catholic Association which brings several hundred pilgrims to Lourdes each August, and also the work done by Frs King and Lester as brancardiers (helpers) of the Catholic Association (CA) caring for the sick and disabled, as members of the International Lourdes Hospitalité, and as chaplains who have promoted the spirituality of Lourdes – especially amongst the young – through their writings, preaching and retreats, not only with the CA but also with HCPT and other groups. Colette Sharrock said ‘Their nomination is a great honour for the Catholic Association. The distinctive insignia of a Chaplain of Honour is a cross with Marian symbols. In this year when we reflect on the pastoral theme of ‘Making the Sign of the Cross with Bernadette’, we pray that these crosses will be a sign of our thanks to Bill, Tony and Nick for their contribution to our pilgrimage and to Our Lady’s Sanctuary.’

The Pilgrimage Directors of Southwark (Deacon Michael Kennedy), Stonyhurst (Mr Richard Brumby) and the British Province of Carmelites (Mr Johan Bergström-Allen) carried the Chaplains’ crosses for them to be blessed by Bishop Paul Hendricks, Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark and Chair of the Catholic Association.

www.carmelite.org