The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

𝗛𝗖𝗣𝗧 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝟳𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 ‘𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀’ 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

More than 3,000 pilgrims have gathered in Lourdes this Easter as HCPT marks 70 years of its life-changing pilgrimage, with a strong presence from the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, including Bishop Joseph Toal, Bishop Frank Dougan and Archbishop Leo Cushley.

They are joined by clergy from across Scotland, many of whom have travelled as chaplains to support HCPT groups, accompanying young people and adults throughout the pilgrimage and helping to lead them in prayer, liturgy and pastoral care during their time in Lourdes.

Founded in 1956 by Brother Michael Strode, HCPT began with a simple but powerful vision: that young people should be able to travel to Lourdes with dignity, joy and a true sense of belonging. That vision remains at the heart of the charity today, as 3,399 pilgrims gather this Easter under the theme Together in Love.

A key moment in the anniversary celebrations came on Tuesday evening, when pilgrims gathered following the Torchlight Procession for a special fireworks display. Set against the backdrop of Lourdes, it offered a moment of shared joy and celebration, marking 70 years of pilgrimage and community.

At the centre of the week’s celebrations was the Trust Mass, bringing together almost 3,500 pilgrims from across the UK and around the world. In this anniversary year, the Mass provided an opportunity to give thanks for seven decades of service and to reflect on the enduring spirit of HCPT.

Presiding at the Mass, Archbishop Cushley, President of HCPT, invited pilgrims to reflect on both the origins of the charity and the deeper meaning of Lourdes. His homily recalled the founding vision of Brother Michael Strode, whose initiative began something that “we’ve kept going since,” and encouraged all present to recognise the many lives that have been touched through the pilgrimage.

Drawing on the Gospel of the Wedding at Cana, the homily highlighted the generosity of God, a theme that resonates deeply with the HCPT experience. Pilgrims were reminded of “a generosity of spirit… not just an abundance, but a super abundance of grace and goodness and love,” seen in both the larger moments of the week and the quieter, personal encounters.

Throughout the pilgrimage, groups have taken part in a full programme including daily Mass, torchlight processions, visits to the Grotto, and excursions into the surrounding mountains and countryside. Alongside these moments, it is often the simple experiences of friendship, care and shared joy that leave the most lasting impression.

These are what many within HCPT describe as “Everyday Miracles”, the small but significant moments that continue to define the pilgrimage, 70 years on.

This year’s anniversary also carries a strong sense of legacy. In a moving connection to the beginnings of HCPT, Brother Michael Strode’s brother, Peter Strode, was among those present in Lourdes, sharing in the celebrations and witnessing the continued impact of his brother’s vision.

Chief Executive Tricia Macfarlane reflected on the significance of the milestone year, paying tribute to the dedication of volunteers and the enduring strength of HCPT’s mission, while also looking ahead to new opportunities to grow and extend its reach to parishes and communities.

As HCPT marks this landmark anniversary, the Trust Mass stands as a moment of thanksgiving not only for the past 70 years, but for the countless lives changed through pilgrimage, and for the generations still to come.

Gospel
Luke 24:13-35
‘He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.’

On the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, ‘What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ And he said to them, ‘What things?’ And they said to him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’ And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the Eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Three of our Bishops are in Lourdes this week with HCPT, as pilgrims from across the country gather once again in this place that means so much to so many.

Bishop Frank Dougan shares something of what makes this pilgrimage so special. From the moment groups arrive, there is a real sense of welcome, joy and care for one another. It is often called a happy place and you can see why.

At the heart of it all is something simple but powerful. People looking after one another, giving their time, and quietly showing the face of Christ in the way they serve. The theme this year is Together in Love, and it is already being lived out in every small moment.

Please keep all those on pilgrimage in your prayers this week. They are praying for you too.

Gospel
John 12:1-11
‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.’

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the money bag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.’
When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection for 29 March 2026