The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-09-27
PILGRIMAGE
IS DESCRIBED
Departure of Pilgrims for Lourdes
Graphically Depicted by
Dublin Writer.
Thousands of Afflicted Went From
All Parts of Ireland-Sad Plight
of Afflicted Ones.
Many Cures Reported Among Pill
grims at Famous Shrine on
Fiftieth Anniversary.

4
grims at Famous Shrine on
Fiftieth Anniversary.
The scene at the North Wall Mon
day night when the West and Midland
of Ireland and Dublin Diocese Sec
tions of the National Pilgrimage to
Lourdes embarked on the London and
Northwestern boats for Holyhead
was most pathetic and affecting, and
an eloquent testimony Of the faith of
the Irish Catholics in the miraculous
powers of Our Lady of Lourdes. Al
though a special boat the Cambria,
had been announced to sail at 81
o'clock with the pilgrims from the
West and Midlands, yet from half
past six o'clock onwards steady
and continuous stream of vehicles Of
all descriptions-cab, car, carriage
and motor-rolled along the quays to
dreds of friends and sympathizers of
the invalids had assembled to bid
them farewell. So great was the con-
course of people that the cOmpany's
policemen would not permit anyone
upon the premises save those who
were privileged to travel, and adieus
of a most affecting character between
the invalids and their friends took
plaGa on the quays. The Dublin Met.
ropolitan Police were Obliged to take
an active part in regulating the traf-
fic, maintaining order. and preventing
confusion and congestion. All the pill
grims displayed green poplin badge
bearing the inscription "Oilithgreacht
Muintir ma hEireann go Lourdes," to
which was attached medal of Our
Lady of Lourdes. Doctors, nurses. at
tendants, and Cooks conductors were
busily engaged in tenderly conveying
the afflicted from their vehicles
through special entrance to the
Cambria, which was moored outside
the express steamer, the Hibernia.
| The invalids embraced men, women
and children, and their ages ranged
from seventy years to five. Afflicted
humanity was to be seen in varying
guises, and appealed with an unresist-
ing helplessness to the sympathy and
affectionate consideration of the kind
ly spectators. Priests, with fatherly
i interest, superintended the transfer
ence Of the patients, whilst the mem
bers of the Community Of Nuns, with
delicate gentleness, inspired them with
fresh hope and renewed confidence In
the faith that had inspired them to
undertake the pilgrimage to the world
famed grotto. Fervent prayers were
expressed by the people as the help
less invalids were borne to the ship.
The majority of the cases could not
fail to invoke great sympathy, but
there were many. indeed, SO appeal.
ing in their state of abject affliction
that the spectators were unable to
restrain their emotion in the hope
and prayerful intercession for restora-
ton to health. An aged lady whose
form was so discrepit as to be scarce
distinguishable as that of a human
being evoked widespread sympathy,
and the strength of faith which must
have animated her in undergoing such
a journey was not lost in the impress.
| sion it aroused. Now it was young
fellow of about sixteen who ambled
along on his crutches; then it was
a bright youth helped by his elder,
whilst the next was a young lady
whose cheerful face betokened her
belief in the powerful hope of Our
!. Lady's intercession. Shortly after a
carriage and pair drove up, the am
bulance was requisitioned, and a lady
was borne along, and then there came
a succession of invalids with manned
figures and distorted limbs, many of
whom were unable to walk, and those
who were required the assistance Of
the nurses, so painful were their ex.
}, ertions to move.
j Pilgrims cheerfuIness.
But in every case there was a pla-
cid gentleness upon all their features.
;. Many were deformed and crippled,
whilst others were paralyzed, but the
most pathetic were some of the blind,
(Continued on page 8.)