This year’s Lourdes group were as fabulous as ever, and impressed everyone they met. Below is a letter from the HCPT Pilgrimage Trust, praising our students for the ‘wonderful contribution’ they made to the pilgrimage.
In the words of the students themselves:
This week has been amazing in terms of making new friends, exploring Christianity & seeing everyone smiling & enjoying themselves. Putting smiles on other people’s faces & being able to contribute to people’s happiness has definitely been the highlight of the whole week. I am so happy I said yes to Lourdes & stepped out of my comfort zone as it really has been an unforgettable experience. Gemma
My week in Lourdes has been so rewarding. I have made new friends & I will always remember bonding with the kids in Group 25 in an incredible way. It has been wonderful experiencing all these different things we have all taken part in. The processions were magical. I am very happy that I decided to come to Lourdes & I would definitely come back as a helper for a family group. Love Ellie
I’ve had an extremely special week in Lourdes. My time ultimately consisted of laughing, smiling & making the best memories with my friends & those I met. Most importantly Lourdes has been very rewarding in everyway possible. I would do it again in a heartbeat! Sophie
Lourdes was a truly amazing experience. I have never had so much fun or laughed as hard as I have during this week. Throughout this whole trip I have experienced so many new things & made some wonderful friends. The children from Group 36 were great & I wish I could spend more time with them & the rest of 714. Megan
No words could ever sum up Lourdes. I flew out having no expectations of what it was going to be like. But now, reflecting upon the experience, the only phrase that could sum it up is ‘life changing.’ The children brought smiles that simply nothing else could. I couldn’t be prouder of Group 714 as we all touched so many people’s hearts. So inspiring. Lourdes has also enabled me to open my eyes & appreciate that the little things such as a High 5 can turn someone’s day from 3/10 to 10/10. Skye
This week in Lourdes has been such an amazing experience. I have enjoyed so many great moments & many memories that will last a lifetime. I have laughed, smiled & even cried. Quite simply a once in a lifetime opportunity & I hope one day I can do it all again. Love Katie
Lourdes has easily been the most amazing experience of my life. It has allowed me to be myself; become closer to others around me; & made me part of a big family. I have laughed, cried, created lifelong memories which I will never forget. Love Sydney
Lourdes has meant personally to me so much, as a place of not only holiness, but a place of peace to escape from society’s judgement. The week has made a large impact on my life as new friendships have been made & I am now part of a family. A change has occurred in me, as I’m not the same person I was before this trip. Bethany
Once in a lifetime opportunity. Myah
This week has been an amazing experience. It has given me the chance to make new friends & come out of my comfort zone. I have loved becoming closer to everyone on Group 714 & will never forget this amazing experience. Freya
I didn’t really know what to expect from Lourdes but the experience has been simply fantastic. I enjoyed working with Group 36 & the children who they brought, bringing some happiness to their week through little things. I enjoyed a rollercoaster of emotions from laughter & jokes to tears. Lourdes took me out of my comfort zone & I really enjoyed new experiences which I had previously allowed to pass by. It is an experience I will never forget. Rachael
During my week in Lourdes I had an amazing time meeting new people & creating unforgettable memories with them. Everyone helped make it an enjoyable experience by always being joyful & smiling. Knowing that I made other’s smile made it the best experience ever for me. Emily Frankish
Really amazing week. It’s great to see how much you’re enriching the kid’s lives & I would recommend Lourdes to everyone. Emily Perella
My week in Lourdes was wonderful, making new friendships & exploring religion in a way I never thought I would. Exploring a new place was amazing. The whole place is truly beautiful. I would definitely come back in the future to ‘live the dream.’ Georgia
Lourdes has been the best experience of my life. Creating memories with friends old & new. Laughing, crying & living the dream! This pilgrimage has been so rewarding seeing children having the time of their lives singing, dancing & having a ball. It is a trip nobody will forget! The sense of community & feeling part of something big is absolutely amazing!! Love Caitlin
rbt