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On Friday 22 August the Bishop of Clifton, the Right Reverend Declan Lang, will be leading a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Joining the bishop, on the week long visit, will not only be Catholics from across Wiltshire and the West Country but Matt Anscombe a student for the priesthood in Swindon as well.

150th Anniversary

The pilgrimage coincides with the sacred site's 150th anniversary where 150 years ago an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared before the 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous now Saint Bernadette near Lourdes in France. 

Since then Lourdes has not only become one of the world's major centres for Spirituality but, each year, receives nearly 6 million visitors from over 140 countries:

"This is a special year for people who regard Lourdes as a place of prayer and spiritual nourishment," says Bishop Declan.

"And, of course it's not just Catholics that look to Lourdes as a place of prayer, healing and hope; many other Christians also go on pilgrimage there."

Live from Lourdes

In the run up to the pilgrimage, the Clifton Diocese website has been publishing a weekly series of podcasts entitled 'Lourdes Lives'.

'Lourdes Lives' not only features local people who have visited Lourdes but their experiences which have, in some cases, been life changing.

Meanwhile as the Wiltshire Catholics head to Lourdes, the Clifton Diocese's website will also feature not only regular podcasts -  live from Lourdes - but pictures so that 'people back home can feel that they are part of the pilgrimage':

"I hope that people who cannot be with us in Lourdes will find the pictures and podcasts a way to share in the special celebrations for this 150th year," says Bishop Declan.

Lourdes webcams and Podcasts

To follow the progress of the Lourdes pilgrims just click on the links below to view live webcam images direct from Lourdes and for regular updates on the Clifton Diocese's website: