Bishop Philip writes…

I’m sending you this e-News from Lourdes where this week our Diocese is on pilgrimage. We arrived yesterday lunchtime after an early flight from London Heathrow and, after supper, spent the evening in prayer at the Grotto. This morning, we went on a tour of Lourdes and paid a visit to the Baths. Tonight, we will join the unforgettable Torchlight Procession. Tomorrow, after the International Mass in the morning in the Underground Basilica, we are going on a trip to Gavarnie and on Thursday, we will be making the Stations of the Cross and joining the Blessed Sacrament Procession. There will be lots of other activities during these days too. We return to London on Friday evening. Please pray for all of us on pilgrimage, for all who go to Lourdes from our Diocese, and especially for the sick. Thanks to all of you who have sent in petitions: I will light the Pilgrimage Candle and present your prayers to Our Lady at the Grotto on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, welcome to this e-News for Tuesday 8th July 2025. Please say a prayer for Rev. Ryan Browne who is to be ordained a priest on Saturday 19th July and for Emmanuel Chituh and Richard Martin to be ordained deacons on Saturday 26th July.

Because of holidays, there will be no e-News next week – the next issue will be on Tuesday 22nd July.

In Corde Iesu

+ Philip

Bishop of Portsmouth