Before the final blessing of the Mass celebrated at the Lourdes Grotto at 9:45 am on Monday, 23rd August 2010, those involved in the presentation made their way to the lectern:

• The Catholic Association Hospitalité (Colette Sharrock)

• Southwark Pilgrimage Director (Deacon Michael Kennedy)

• Stonyhurst Pilgrimage Director (Richard Brumby)

• Carmelite Pilgrimage Director (Johan Bergström-Allen)

Colette read the following text:

The Catholic Association was delighted to learn a few weeks ago that three priests - Fr Nick King, Fr Tony Lester and Monsignor Bill Saunders - have been appointed as Chaplains of Honour to the Lourdes Sanctuaries by Monsignor  Jacques Perrier, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. The Bishop and Rector of the Sanctuaries are represented this morning by Fr Brian de Búrca, English-language coordinator in the Domaine. Can I please invite Fathers Bill, Nick and Tony to come and stand beside me?

The position of "Chaplain of Honour" is a recognition of the work done by these three priests in promoting the message of Lourdes, pilgrimage to Our Lady's Grotto and the Shrine's pastoral life and outreach. The citation praised Fr Bill's long service as Pilgrimage Director of the Catholic Association, and the work done by Fathers Tony and Nick as C.A. brancardiers caring for the sick and disabled, as members of the Lourdes Hospitalité, and as chaplains who have promoted Lourdes - especially amongst the young - through their writings, preaching and retreats, not only with the C.A. but also with H.C.P.T. and other groups. Their nomination is a great honour for the Catholic Association.

The distinctive insignia of a Chaplain of Honour is a cross with Marian symbols. In this year  when we reflect on Making the Sign of the Cross with Bernadette, we pray that these crosses will be a sign of our thanks to Bill, Tony and Nick for their contribution to our pilgrimage and to Our Lady's Sanctuary.

I now invite the pilgrimage directors of Stonyhurst, the Carmelites and Southwark Archdiocese to bring the crosses forward for them to be blessed by Bishop Paul Hendricks, Chair of the Catholic Association.

The pilgrimage directors brought the crosses to Bishop Paul who blessed them:

Heavenly Father,
your Son Jesus taught by word and example that you love us,
and even gave his life for us on the cross,
a sign of shame that has become the symbol of our salvation.

In this holy place Mary appeared to Bernadette,
to call us back to the Good News,
and to lives that embrace the cross.

We ask you now to bless these crosses,,
and Nick, Tony and Bill who will wear them,
that they may be strengthened and renewed in your service.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Bishop Paul then placed the crosses over the head of each of the new Chaplains of Honour in silence.

Mgr Bill Saunders, Fr Nick King SJ and Fr Tony Lester OCarm

The pectoral cross - insignia of the Chaplains of Honour
to the Lourdes Sanctuaries