"The pilgrimage that matters most to me is walking with my child from our front door to the one at church."
(an English mother)
"To Lourdes with Faith and Light Belgium — we carry you deeply in our hearts, your suffering and your joy, in communion with us.... Lourdes is a terrible struggle with oneself, but the graces are enormous. Alleluia."
(Thierry's father — France)
As many of you already know, Easter 1981 will be marked in every Faith and Light community by a pilgrimage: local, regional, national, and international pilgrimages.
Whether we travel for a few days or a few hours — or simply follow along from home as friends journey elsewhere.
Most of us hope to meet in Lourdes from April 16 to 20.
Our theme for reflection and witness is: "Be nourished by Jesus to have life, and give it to others."
It matters that we not lose sight of something fundamental: before being (and to be) an encounter of nations, Lourdes will first be a pilgrimage of the everyday — for each community, each country, each one of us.
For this reason, we must deepen now our understanding of Faith and Light's calling as a community of encounter.
To guide us on this path, to allow each person to meditate on texts we all share, we have prepared a booklet. Starting in November 1979, it suggests monthly themes for reflection and community work.
Anyone who wishes may order a copy from the office for 500 lire.