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This week, Alex Manko, Director of our diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, and Mary Calway, Pilgrimage Administrative Assistant, travelled to France, to present musician Mike Carver with a papal award, recognising his years of devoted service to the Church, especially through our Lourdes Pilgrimage.

Music is a vital part of the worship offered by the Pilgrimage in Lourdes, with the musicians and choir leading the congregation in singing not only during the Masses and other liturgies celebrated by our own pilgrimage group but also taking part in the International Mass, Torchlight Procession and Blessed Sacrament Procession.

Writing from France, Alex said:

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"Mary and I were honoured to join some of the Pilgrimage music team in surprising Mike Carver with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award at his home in France.

"Mike retired last summer as organist with the Pilgrimage after over 30 years of dedicated service to the music ministry, including a period as Musical Director. A former teacher in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, Mike is an incredibly gifted musician who has generously shared his talents and deep faith with so many over the years.

"Beyond his own beautiful playing of sacred music, Mike has inspired and encouraged countless young people to take part in the ministry of music—giving them the confidence to sing, to play, and to live out the words of St Augustine: 'He who sings prays twice.' This recognition is richly deserved."

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During this year's pilgrimage, which took place at the end of July, the legacy of the work of Mike and others in developing a culture of participation by young musicians could clearly be seen, with the participation of many Redshirts, Purpleshirts and young helpers in the choir and as instrumentalists.

The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which means For the Church and the Pope is the highest medal bestowed by the Catholic Church to lay people, clergy, or members of religious orders who have dedicated their lives to serving the Church. The medal is made of gold, in the form of a cross, with an engraving featuring the images of the Apostles St Peter and St Paul.

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Applications for the 2026 Lourdes Pilgrimage will open in January 2026. Click the button below to find out more about our annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.