Lourdes HCPT Pilgrimage with Salesian College

This year marked a significant milestone for Farnborough Hill as five of our Lower Sixth pupils, Mrs Nelle Dalton and Miss Federico set off on Easter Sunday for our inaugural HCPT (Hosanna House Children's Pilgrimage Trust) pilgrimage to Lourdes. Joining forces with the well-established pilgrims from Salesian College, who annually bring their Lower Sixth cohort, the Farnborough Hill group journeyed with a shared purpose: to bring joy and unwavering support to some truly extraordinary children.

The central focus, of course, was to bring fun and support to some truly remarkable children. HCPT is a charity dedicated to providing pilgrimage holidays to Lourdes for disabled and disadvantaged children and adults. Every Easter, HCPT facilitates a large-scale pilgrimage, bringing together hundreds of children with a variety of needs and a dedicated army of volunteer helpers, including nurses, doctors and chaplains. Our sixth formers helped to facilitate inclusive, fun activities ranging from arts and crafts at Hosanna House, face painting at the Fun Zone, marshalling in the Domain and being 'cheerleaders' for the children at the bus stops. Our girls also had the opportunity to feel part of the Salesian community as we visited the Grotto, participated in the Torchlight Procession, had social evenings and enjoyed Masses and candle-lighting together. On the last day, they came together as a Farnborough Hill group to light a candle and pray for our whole school community. This was a poignant end to the experience, reminding them not only why they were there, to serve others, but also that they wanted to bring the joy and fun of Lourdes back to their daily lives.

While Lourdes is always a spiritual and reflective place, there was an added depth to their experience given the recent death of Pope Francis. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis had consistently championed the rights and needs of the most vulnerable, the mission which lies at the heart of the HCPT pilgrimage.

The experience in Lourdes offered the whole group an opportunity for personal growth, community development and to connect with something that is bigger than all of themselves. Our Lower Sixth students actively embraced this mission, embodying the true spirit of pilgrims, working alongside the Salesian College students and other volunteers, to offer enthusiastic support to the remarkable children in their care.