As usual even this year, the Easter pilgrimage to Lourdes was organized by Very Rev. Monsignor Neville Joe Perera, National Coordinator for Srilankan cattolics and clergy in Italy.

 

The pilgrimage included a three days of spiritual rest with prayers and reflections.

On Good Friday a Way of the Cross was organized on the hill near the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes.

 

On the evening of each day, the Srilankan pilgrims had the possibility to join the international crowd for the daily sick procession with candles.

 

The Easter Holy Mass was celebrated by Mgr. Neville Joe and co-celebrated by Rev. Fathers Malcolm Perera of Milano and Francis De Sarem of Genova.

 

The Solemn Easter Holy Mass was celebrated in the underground Basilica.

 

Nearly 4.000 Srilankans joined the pilgrimage to thank Our Lady of Lourdes, they were mainly from Rome, Milan, Genova and few other minor cities.

 

In His homily Msgr. Neville focused on the need to pray the Holy Rosary prayer every day in our families as well as entrusting our lives to Our Divine Mother.

 

The next scheduled event is the Annual Pilgrimage to Padua, which is scheduled for May 1st with the presence of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Colombo; His Eminence Malcolm Card. Ranjith.