Latest Diocese Life Blog Frank Tota arrives in Lourdes after clocking up more than 900 miles on his bike! Following our recent story on Worcester parishioner Frank Tota, cycling 800 miles to join the Diocesan Pilgrimage in Lourdes, he has shared reflections from his incredible journey. Frank is fundraising for an overseas Medical Centre. Below Frank has captured his daily activities and highlights from the last two days of his cycling adventure. Please sponsor Frank if you can, thank you Day 19. Saturday 23 May, cycling pilgrimage from Worcester to Lourdes Nogaro - Lourdes 'Blessed art thou among women' is the theme of the Birmingham Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026. My intention on arriving in Lourdes was to go straight away to the Grotto in the Lourdes Sanctuary, to give thanks for my safe passage from Worcester to Lourdes. However, security would not allow me to take my bike into the Sanctuary. It's probably because this week is dedicated to the military forces. I will share more photographs of this event during the weekend. So, I booked into my hotel and changed from my cycling togs into my Zimbabwean tee-shirt. I arrived at the Grotto and a Lebanese Christian, named Joe asked me to take a photo of him. Joe did the same for me. We promised to pray for each other. The rosary in the photograph was bought by my wife, Sue and blessed by Father Bala in St George's. I would not have been able to make this pilgrimage if it wasn't for the love and support of my wife. Kneeling down at the Grotto I said a decade of the rosary to give thanks to God for giving me the strength and grace to make this pilgrimage. I also gave thanks to Our Lady of Lourdes, St Bernadette and Blessed Edward Oldcorne SJ to whose intercession I dedicated my pilgrimage. These words of Father Pat from St George's, Worcester will always remain with me, 'The saints are our friends'. Beautiful words! I would also like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement, constant prayers of support and sponsorship during my journey. I am humbled by everyone's support. In total, I have cycled 937 miles since leaving Worcester. If you know of anyone who might like to sponsor the medical centre project, please click here Day 18. Friday 22 May, cycling pilgrimage from Worcester to Lourdes Damazan - Nogaro Sunshine, a blue sky, a cool breeze, empty country roads and cycling are the perfect fit. Today, it was a real joy and blessing to travel through beautiful countryside, forests and vineyards. About 32% of France is still forested and this figure does not surprise me because every day of my cycling pilgrimage I travelled through forested areas. I saw evidence of lumbering everywhere I cycled. As I cycled up a hill a few kilometres outside of Nogaro, I saw in the far distance the glacial capped mountains of the Pryrenees. Tomorrow, by the grace of God is the last leg of my cycling pilgrimage and then I will reach the town of Lourdes. 🙏 Nogaro, my place of rest today, is a commune in the Gers department, Southwestern France. It is the site of a distillery of Armagnac brandy. Lots of action in this delightful old town. There is an airfield on the outside of the town on which light aircraft and gliders can be seen. Photos from Frank's Adventure Manage Cookie Preferences