Why this booklet
Communities from several countries asked for it, and some collaborated closely in its creation. The goal was to strengthen unity across all Faith and Light communities and give each one concrete, spiritual tools to prepare the path toward Easter 1981. It's meant for everyone in the community—whether you're making the pilgrimage to Lourdes or celebrating Easter at home.
Built around the 1981 pilgrimage theme "Eating of Jesus to Receive Life and Give It," the booklet offers twenty themes, each tied to a month of the year, running from November 1979 through September 1981.
How to use it
There is no single right way. Each community must find what works best for them. What we offer is an invitation to think deeply about the pilgrimage's meaning—an invitation to live together as a community, to commit more fully to Jesus and to one another. The texts and suggestions here are just starting points. Each community should take these ideas, develop them, adapt them to your own context. Pay special attention to the Gospel passages: ask how to make them real and concrete so that everyone—parents, handicapped members, friends—can truly take part.
The essential work remains: to transform these words into the living presence of Jesus among us, into a genuine exchange of heart, into deeper trust and filial union with our Father in Heaven.
Little by little, across oceans and continents, invisible bonds will form. And it is in joy that we will meet again at Lourdes in 1981.
This booklet exists because of the prayers of pilgrims who do not yet know one another. Their prayers sustained the small group that created it, thinking of each person who will use it.
This booklet is only a tool. Now let us walk together. Alleluia!