Lourdes 2026

Five of our students – Ellie Begley, Laoise O’Riordan, Cecilia Xiao, Eleanor Reynolds and Zoe Kearney,  recently travelled to Lourdes with Ms Moore as part of the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage, where they gave generously of their time and energy in service to sick and elderly pilgrims. Taking on roles in Ward Duty and Stewarding, they demonstrated exceptional compassion, maturity, and dedication throughout the week. Ward Duty involved assisting pilgrims in many ways. They were responsible for cleaning wards as well as keeping the pilgrims company. Stewarding required managing crowds, flag bearing and accompanying pilgrims to and from ceremonies.   

The students actively participated in liturgy duties and were also directly involved in the Stations of the Cross Ceremony and the Torchlight Procession, helping to create moments of profound prayer and reflection. Beyond their formal responsibilities, they embraced the joyful aspects of the pilgrimage such as singing and dancing with pilgrims enthusiastically at the singsong parties and accompanying pilgrims on shopping trips. Their selfless contributions, combining prayerful service with genuine warmth and fun, profoundly impacted the pilgrims they served. We were also delighted to celebrate three of our Past Pupils, Rachel Berwick, Mairead Quinlan and Amelia Ryan, who received their five-year service medals—a testament to their unwavering commitment. We are immensely proud of all HCK Past Pupils who continue to return to Lourdes each September with the Dublin Diocese, giving so generously of their time and talents. Through their witness, these students and alumni truly embody the Cornelian ethos of 'Actions not Words'.