THE 10th anniversary all night peace pilgrimage from Britain to Lourdes received a V.I.P. welcome at Tarbes Airport on Saturday. The party of 120 included Mrs. Henrietta Bower, international secretary and English founder of the All-Night Vigil Movement, who flew from Malta especially for the occasion. The pilgrims were welcomed by Mgr. Viscaro, representing Bishop Theas of Lourdes, and a battery of Press and television reporters.
Since the pilgrimages for peace and Christian unity commenced in 1958, some 136,000 British pilgrims have taken part, using 520 charter planes. Besides British pilgrims, thousands more fly regularly from Ireland and other countries.
At the weekend it was announced that Fr. Bernard Slevin, Spiritual Director of the Vigil Movement, had been named an Honorary Canon of Lourdes.
Mr. Joe Delaney, British organiser, received telegrams from Cardinal Heenan, the Vigil's President, and Archbishop Cardinale, Apostolic Delegate, marking the occasion.