Charity registration No. SC002876
Sunday February 28th. 2010
Blessed Mary to be canonised on Sunday, October 17th.
here was rejoicing all over the world, and especially
here in Roy Bridge when, on Friday of last week, it
was announced that Blessed Mary would be raised to
sainthood at a ceremony in St. Peter’s, Rome, on
Sunday, October 17th.
Already we have over 40 names of locals and friends wishing to join
our pilgrimage, and Barrhead Travel Agents are making all the
arrangements for us.
There will be two groups going, one arranged by the Sisters at Caol
and the other arranged by our own parish.
There is a strong rumour that Pope John Paul 11 may be beatified on
the same day, so this will make the occasion very special indeed. But
it also means that hotels will be at a premium because of the numbers
wishing to attend.
Temporary travel plans as we await confirmation from the
travel agents
Until the hotel is firmly booked, we cannot make any definite
arrangements. but the programme should be as follows:
·
The pilgrimage will last for six days: Thursday, October 14 to
Wednesday, October 20th.
·
We leave Glasgow airport at 6 a.m in the morning and fly with
KLM to Amsterdam. After an hour’s wait, we fly to Rome
where we arrive at 11.30 a.m. This means we have a good part
of the day to ourselves and can have lunch in Rome! A bus will
take us from Lochaber to the airport in good time. There are no
direct flights from Glasgow, except Ryan Air which does not
get into Rome until 9.30 p.m. in the evening (a whole day lost!)
·
The hotel will be three star and up to a high standard. It will
supply a continental breakfast, and we can obtain our other meals in restaurants close to the hotel or elsewhere.
·
A spiritual programme will be arranged, and those who wish can join in a vigil of prayer on the Saturday evening. A bus will
take us to the Vatican on Sunday morning for the canonisation, and places will be reserved for us. The following day,
Monday, there will be a special mass of thanksgiving which everyone is invited to attend.
·
There will be lots of free time to visit the Vatican and the city of Rome. Since this is a private pilgrimage, there will be no
courier, but people will soon become familiar with the important sites to visit.
·
Bishop Toal and Cardinal O’Brien will join us on the pilgrimage.
·
As soon as we receive confirmation from the travel agents about the hotel, I will ask them to send the booking forms
with all the details to each pilgrim. You will deal direct with the travel agents and not with the parish.
