Saint Pius X Basilica, Lourdes
7th Sunday of Easter
1 June 2025
My dear friends in Christ,
It is good for us to be here. People from many nations celebrating in faith the hope that the Risen Christ brings to our hearts. We have come to Lourdes to be refreshed and renewed at the fountain of living water, that is embodied in the lives of so many pilgrims who place their trust in Christ Jesus our Redeemer through the intercession of Mary. We are drawn here because through the wondrous ways of Gods Providence this is a hope filled place. It is indeed good for us to be here.
Today, guided by the scripture readings, we reflect and pray for our brothers and sisters in faith who are suffering because of their witness. Stephen is our model in spiritual and humble perseverance. Paul was a witness. He, in turn, would be not just be a great teacher in faith but a great model of sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. We keep all who are suffering because of their fidelity close to our hearts today.
The Priestly Prayer of Jesus serves as a wonderful and fulsome reassurance to all who come to him in faith. His promise is so rich – for all who put their trust in him will have him ever near. But his abiding presence is not limited to any one of us, rather to all, so that our experience of Gods love is never separate from the Lord’s prayer for all his children.
“With me in them and you are in me
May they be so completely one
That the world will realise that it was you
Who sent me and that I have loved them
as much as you love me”
John 17:23
The late beloved Pope Francis in his final Urbi et Orbi expressed the wish (Easter Sunday 2025),
“I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different from ourselves or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas. For all of us are children of God!”
Through Gods Providence and diligent spirit filled discernment, we are blessed with a new Shepherd in Leo XIV. His missionary spirit and many gifts, gives our celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope a new impetus and a renewed sense of the church’s call to be an instrument of unity and reconciliation for a fractured humanity.
“Come, let all who are thirsty come
All who desire the water of life
and have it free”
Rev. 22:17
May these days of pilgrimage here in Lourdes in the company of Jesus and Mary, lift up our hearts, heal us in body and spirit and enable us to be messengers of hope to all.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
