Page 14 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

12 QARANC THE GAZETTE
International Military Pilgrimage and Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust Lourdes, 2018
On the morning of Thursday 17 May 2018, Captain Lucia Watson and Major David Jenkins met up with about 45 service personnel and pilgrims at Stansted Airport to make their way to Lourdes, France. We were to join the Annual International Military Pilgrimage (IMP) for the coming weekend and then to spend a further five days in France in the role of ‘helpers’ for approximately 25 adult pilgrims.
Our pilgrims were veterans of all three services as well as their spouses or dependents of those who have served in the Armed Forces in recent years. For the week ahead, we were attached to Joint Services Group 507, a branch of the Hosanna House Children’s Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT). The group was an eclectic mix of
individuals who, due to age, failing health or disability, were now reliant on some form of assistance from more able-bodied helpers. It was our honour to travel with them and to ensure they were well looked after and enjoyed the week ahead.
A place of international pilgrimage since the late 19th century, 2018 saw Lourdes celebrate the 160th anniversary since Mary, the ‘Immaculate conception’, appeared to a young girl called Bernadette. Mary is said to have appeared 18 times and instructed Bernadette to tell the Catholic Church hierarchy to build a church above the site where the apparitions occurred. Bernadette was also instructed to unearth a spring and it is the waters from the spring that to this day are attributed to curing
The Basilica In Lourdes in preparation for the 60th ‘Pelerinage Militaire International’ (International Military Pilgrimage)
people of their ailments. Every year thousands of people travel to Lourdes. Religious persuasions aside, Lourdes certainly represents a place of peace and healing and for this reason was considered to be an ideal location to initiate the post-war reconciliation for the French and Germans in 1958.
For the pilgrims in Group 507, their week in Lourdes was not only a way to re-establish connections to their former military service but for some was an opportunity to reflect and recover from physical and mental wounds in a safe and supportive environment. For some of our pilgrims, it is the only holiday they have to look forward to throughout the year. It also offers respite for the carers at home who can be assured that their dependents were being well cared for during their time away.
The IMP was established after the Second World War as a way of promoting reconciliation and peace between the nations of the world. It grew in popularity and the annual IMP now draws contingents from more than 40 countries and hosts over 16,000 military personnel. This three-day event is one of the largest international military events held anywhere. Although the Joint Services Group 507 were independent from the ‘main-body’ of the British Contingent of the IMP, given the very special military links and historical partnering arrangements, the IMP and Group 507 travel together each year.
Every helper within the HCPT Group is paired with a pilgrim who requires varying levels of support. This ranges from assisting the pilgrims with fundamental care needs and activities of daily living but in most cases involves the helper providing a point of contact and support. As we discovered, this largely involved the helpers accompanying their assigned pilgrim throughout the day and pushing their wheelchair as we attended the various events in and around Lourdes. Although many of the helpers do not come from caring or medical backgrounds, some were currently serving and many were veterans themselves. What was more important than having previous military service was the ability to draw on a