‘I joined the pilgrimage some twenty years ago. My wife Joy was the Matron at an old people’s home in Kidderminster and one of her residents, Doris, who came from Birmingham, asked Joy if she wanted to go to Lourdes. Joy had heard about Lourdes but I hadn’t at all. Doris had always wanted to go to Lourdes and Joy said that she would take her.
‘Joy then asked me whether I would like to go and I immediately said: “I don’t think so.” But over a period of time we discussed it and I said, “OK, I will go.” I went as a Brancardia. Right up until I got on the train I kept thinking, “I don’t really want to go.” I kept thinking it will be just too heavy for me, all that suffering and Catholicism. Anyway I went and I just really enjoyed it. I came back and felt really at peace with myself. I remember thinking, “This place is really special.” They say Our Lady calls you back. Well, she called me back and from that day on we have been going.
‘After three years of the Diocesan Pilgrimage we went on what is referred to as “the Stage”. This is where for a week at any time of the year you help with the Lourdes hospitality. You have to pay your own passage and you live in basic accommodation. Joy worked in the Accueil whereas I did various things such as picking people up at the station or the airport, moving the sick around, taking them to the Grotto… I had such a wide experience of everything that went on at Lourdes. I wasn’t Catholic at the time but going there just took hold of me.
‘I used to go to the railway station and, to be honest, I’d sometimes be in tears seeing the sick pilgrims who come with such hope in their eyes. During our time there we used to go to school where we would be taught everything about Lourdes. It was one-to-one teaching, a kind of induction into Lourdes – it was absolutely fantastic. We did this for seven years.
‘Once Joy got very sick herself at Lourdes. She developed peritonitis and was in a very bad way. The care of the doctors, nurses and fellow pilgrims was amazing. I will always remember standing in the hospital on the Friday evening when the pilgrims were going home because Joy was too sick to travel. As the train went by everybody shouted, “We love you, Joy.” This is what Lourdes is all about – love and care of others. The only reason we are there is to serve the sick – they are the most important people at Lourdes. Joy and I don’t see much of each other when we are there.
‘I am standing down next year, however. I will be sixty-six and I’ve been Chief Brancardia for eight years now. I feel it’s not good for the pilgrimage if you carry on too long. It needs someone younger because it is a very exacting and demanding job which begins well before the start of the pilgrimage.
‘I could not have done it without Joy. She is the backbone of what I do. We produce a book every year for the pilgrimage. Joy types it up and sets it all out, and I go through it line by line. Sometimes we are up until one in the morning just to make sure it’s right because we have got to get it out a week before the pilgrimage.’
Summing up what going to Lourdes means to him, Brian says, ‘Lourdes has been a journey that I would not have taken if Joy had not suggested it those many years ago. It has brought us so close together and through it we have met so many wonderful people and made so many friends. We are so grateful to God and Our Lady.’
Joy adds: ‘Lourdes has meant a way of life for us really. It doesn’t stop in Lourdes. Coming to Lourdes has taught me so much and I have received so many blessings. Our Lady calls me back each year. Lourdes has given me peace and lots of love.’
Servants of Lourdes
Brian Jones is the Chief Brancardia and Chairman of the Hospitality Committee for the Archdiocese of Birmingham Lourdes Pilgrimage. Bible Alive met up with him to talk about his role as Chief Brancardia about what his twenty-year involvement in Lourdes means to him:
Published in
Bible Alive Articles
Shop Categories
Cards and Gifts New Books Spring Sale Summer Reading Walk With Me Faith Today Children's Books General Books Jewellery Bible Alive Catholic Today Exclusive Offers Christian Art and History Donations Papal Books Clearance Parish Ordering Subscriptions Religious Figures Music and DVDs L'Osservatore RomanoList All Products |
Shop Login
Product Search
Can't find a book?
Fill out our enquiry form to register interest in a particular Catholic/ Christian book.
Shopping Cart
Your Cart is currently empty.
Featured Products
 The Death of a Child
Price:
£16.99
|
 The Gospels Box Set
Price:
£35.00
|
 Light of the World
Price:
£14.99
|
 A5 Liturgical Diary 2012
Price:
£7.99
|
 Bible Alive - UK Subscription
Price:
£22.50
|
 Bible Alive - UK Gift Subscription
Price:
£22.50
|
Top Sellers
Holy Cross Parcels
Make a difference by making a donation and buying a Holy Cross Parcel. Click here
Twitter and Facebook
Our Tweets
Alive Design – Wedding Stationery
Faith Today Trial Subscription
Try out Faith Today for three months free of charge. Many began receiving Faith Today this way and have been with us for years.
Give it a go today!
Trial Bible Alive Subscription
Try out Bible Alive for three months free of charge. Many began receiving Bible Alive this way and have been with us for years.
Give it a go today!
Walk With Me
Walk with Me is a prayer and scripture journey for the seasons of Advent, Lent and Easter.
Catholic Today Newspaper
Catholic Today is the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Birmingham. With the latest Birmingham Catholic news and Catholic videocasts.
Christian Publications
Bible Alive - Subscription
Latest Catholic Articles
Daily Reflections
Bible Alive daily reflections are written in an accessible and warm style inviting you to penetrate and plumb the depths of the scripture reading of the day.
Latest Daily Bible ReflectionFree Catalogue
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Walk With Me Daily
Outreach Programmes
Since the beginning Alive Publishing has always had a desire to ‘reach out’ with our Catholic magazines, Catholic books, and other Christian resources.
