President Mary McAlesse and members of the Irish Defence Forces take part in ceremonies to mark 150 years of the Marian shrine.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin concelebrated mass at the Lourdes Grotto to mark the 150th anniversary of the shrine to Our Lady. Five hundred Irish soldiers, veterans and members of the Civil Defence were in Lourdes for the ceremony. The Supreme Commander of the Irish Defence Forces President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin lead the pilgrimage.
The Irish Defence Forces have been visiting Lourdes for the past fifty years and the numbers are larger than ever for the Jubilee.
In all, about forty thousand soldiers from forty countries are joining in the colourful pageantry to commemorate the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette.
President Mary McAleese describes the occasion as, a great mix of spiritual and secular.
Ireland's two top generals Chief of Staff Dermot Early and Head of the European Union Mission in Chad Pat Nash are also attending. Young army cadets from the Curragh have also been playing prominent roles in the ceremonies. Pat MacDaid says that it is an opportunity to pray. Amy Roberts describes it as a great opportunity to meet other armies.
The role of armies in maintaining peace is being emphasised during the pilgrimage.
As a candle lit vigil got underway, President McAleese stressed the importance of both prayer and politics in conflict resolution.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 May 2008. The reporter is Joe O'Brien.
