Forces Bishop: We've been able to pray hard and play hard on pilgrimage

The Right Reverend Paul Mason is the Catholic Bishop of the Forces. The 2019 Military Pilgrimage was his first visit to Lourdes as Forces Bishop. "It's a wonderful time for different nations to come together. We've had the opportunity to pray hard and to play hard. We'll spend time in church together but in the evenings we'll get to know each other and it's very high-spirited - a healthy atmosphere. I'm not sure there are many places that would provide a context for this type of engagement. Lourdes has got something very special about it. "So many of the people who have come here are open to what Lourdes has to offer - even if they're not Catholic or not a believer - they know it's a special place. They've been encouraged to take the time and to allow something of the story of Lourdes to soak in. "The chaplains say they've had many interesting conversations with the serving personnel who say that it has been very profitable for them."