Salford Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage
CENTENARY MEMORIAL AT SALFORD CATHEDRAL
Our beautifully restored mother church is now reopen after a wonderful restoration which will include a unique and fitting memorial to 100 years of pilgrimage to Lourdes by the people of Salford Diocese.
Find out more below.
Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Centenary Memorial
Dear Pilgrims and supporters of the
Lourdes Centenary Memorial Window,
I am writing to you with an update on the proposed Centenary Window. Thank you to those of you who have made generous donations to this project. We were delighted with the support and enthusiasm for the project.
Unfortunately, after months of hard work and dialogue we were informed that, after initial approval, we would not been granted permission by the Historic Churches Committee for the planned window to be erected in the newly refurbished Cathedral.
Our pilgrimage coordinators and the diocese are disappointed by this decision but are committed to marking the centenary of our diocesan pilgrimage, which we celebrated in 2024, in a lasting dignified manner. Instead, we have decided to commission an Icon of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette. This Icon will be placed near to the Lady Chapel under the West Window of the Cathedral. A prime, beautiful and fitting location in the newly refurbished mother Church.
After much consideration and research, we have commissioned the eminent religious Iconographer and artist, Martin Earle, to work with us on this project. I include the artist’s impression for the Icon at the side of this page for you to see. The finished Icon will be a significant contribution to the sacred art in the Cathedral. Due to Martin’s demand around the world, he cannot begin work on our Icon until early 2028; although this may seem like a long time to wait we are confident that Martin wil produce such a fitting Icon that we are happy to wait. You can see Martin’s work on his website - www.martinearle.com. The full design brief can be viewed on the pilgrimage website - www.salfordlourdes.co.uk.
Many thanks to you all for your support and donations so far. I look forward to keeping you updated about the Centenary Memorial Icon and its installation in the Cathedral.
With prayers and best wishes,
Rev. Dr Gerard Fieldhouse-Byrne
Pilgrimage Director
Martin Earle’s artist’s impression of the new Memorial Icon.
The Icon will be installed in the Lady Chapel under the West Window, behind the main altar.
DONATION INFORMATION
In Memory
Donating in memory of a loved one is a beautiful way to remember those we have lost, with each name being added to a Memorial Section in our Centenary Commemorative Book.
If you have already made a donation and included the name of loved ones to be included in the Memorial Book, thank you for your generosity.
We understand that some of those who chose to donate to the window may be disappointed by this decision to change the original design to an Icon but we hope you will continue to support us in this new endeavour to remember and mark 100 years of pilgrimage to Lourdes by our diocesan family.
Unless you request for your donation to be refunded / returned it will be transferred it to the new memorial Icon. The Memorial Book remains part of this new project and the names you have given will be included in this lasting memorial to be kept within Salford Cathedral, as orginally planned.
Giving A Gift
Give a gift someone will treasure each time they look at our magnificent window by making a
donation in their name.
Leaving a Legacy
Donate for yourself, your children, or grandchildren, so your family name will be part of a Lourdes legacy that will last for hundreds
of years.
If you would like to have your donation returned to you please contact Lisa Knight at the pilgrimage office lisa.knight@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or by phone 0161 817 2209.
New donations
Please make your donation by bank transfer or cheque:
Bank Transfer
Sort Code: 20-55-34
Account Number: 30858021
Account Name: The Salford Diocesan Trust
Please make the payment reference: ‘Surname ICON’
Cheque
Cheques made payable to: ‘TSDT Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund’ - Please then post to:
Salford Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Many thanks to you all for your continued support and for the donations received so far. I look forward to keeping you updated about the Centenary Memorial Icon and its installation within our beautifully restored Cathedral.
Fr.Gerard Fieldhouse-Byrne - Pilgrimage Director