for EASTER* COE, the first time for many years find myself in England f o r Easter. It has seemed quite strange, for usually I am with the Easter pilgrimage to Lourdes at this time, praying for the Conversion of England.
Ransomers
But the war stopped that this year, and I have missed very much the annual reunion of many regular fellow pilgrims, chief among them dear Abbot Hurley, who led the pilgrimage each year; and T am sure that all that happy Easter band of pilgrims will also liliSE1 his cheery, hearty " God love you."
And what a happiness, after the long train journey, is the Mass at the Grotto in the early Easter morning, when we seem so close to Our Lady and to heaven!
It may be of interest to some of my readers to know that although big pilgrimages will be out of the question, yet I hear that it will be quite possible for small parties to go to Lourdes this summer, that is, if things continue as they are now.
If you want to know more about this, write to the Catholic Association, 6, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.2.
In the meantime let me urge you all to repeat constantly and with renewed fervour the prayer I suggested at the beginning of the war, the Agnus Dei from the Mass:
Lamb of God, have mercy on us, Lamb of God, have mercy on us, Lamb of God,'grant us peace.
Remembering that the plea for mercy is as important as the prayer for peace, seeing that we, as well as our enemies, have need of it, since " we have all sinned and do need the Glory of God." (Rom. iii. 23.) Secure in the knowledge of the justice of our cause, repenting of our sins, and praying earnestly for peace, we, on the home front, may do great things to end the war, and for the establishment of a lasting peace.
JOHN H. FILMEn.