BY WILL HEAVEN

THE NUMBER of British pilgrims travelling to Lourdes is set to reach a record figure in 2008 as the shrine celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions.
This year 10 million people from 170 countries are expected to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, with the usual number of pilgrims being closer to six million: The busiest period is due to be in September during Pope Benedict's three-day visit to the French town. The papal visit will include a Mass with the sick in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the Pope is also expected to pray at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette in 1858.
Dioceses all over England and Wales have reported increased numbers on their pilgrimages. The Westminster diocese pilgrimage numbered 1,500 people this year, making it twice the size of last year's pilgrimage. Pilgrimages from Salford, Leeds and Liverpool were at least 1,000 strong each.
Tangney Tours , which organises most of the British group trips to Lourdes, is taking 16,000 pilgrims this year, a 13 per cent rise on 2007.
Another pilgrimage company, Pax Tours, reportedly had three times the usual number of bookings. John Tangney of Tangney Tours said that Britain's pilgrimage market "has been particularly good compared to other European countries, mainly due to a strong devotion to Our Lady in England".
He added that the age profile of the pilgrims has gone up, with many travelling back to Lourdes for the first time since the 1958 centenary celebrations.
Mr Tangney said: "Some of them only paid £20 or £25 to get to Lourdes the last time they went."
Some travel agencies worried that pilgrims would be put off by the jubilee celebrations, as hoteliers in Lourdes struggle to accommodate the influx of summer pilgrims.
Another fear was that the cost of the pilgrimage would prove too much of a stretch for many British Catholics. The falling exchange rate with the Euro meant that going to Lourdes for most pilgrims costs around £600.
However, the plenary indulgence granted by the Pope has helped attract British pilgrims. Pilgrims were asked by the Pontiff to complete the Jubilee Way in Lourdes, including a visit to the abandoned prison where St Bernadette lived, to go to confession and receive Communion while in Lourdes.
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