A Reflection by Most Rev John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool
As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, our hearts and minds turn to the Shrine of Lourdes and we gaze into that beautiful scene by the river Gave. The message given to St Bernadette by Our Lady, drink the water, come in procession and build a church, rings in our ears. Last year I experienced the Liverpool pilgrimage to Lourdes and saw first-hand the enthusiasm of the yellow shirts (young people), the dedication of the nursing and hospitalité teams, the accompaniment of priests and deacons, and the dignity of the assisted pilgrims. Together we sang, laughed, prayed, served and saw: ‘The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain” (the theme of Pope Leo XIV’s World Day of the Sick 2026). Brought together on pilgrimage, barriers break down and the response to the other person in need is loving and immediate.
This spirit of care and compassion shines out in all those who work in healthcare and care of the dying. I thank you, especially those whose dedication is palliative care. I thank our chaplaincy teams and all those who protect the dignity of the dying by being close to them and showing compassion and love until their last breath and when they return home to the Father.