KEIGHLEY school pupils and adults were brought together for a special service in preparation for a pilgrimage to a holy site in southern France.
Year 10 pupils from Holy Family Catholic School are travelling to Lourdes to work as carers and nurses tending to sick and disabled pilgrims.
At the same time a local voluntary group called Massabielle, which has been fundraising to pay for its own journey, is helping to transport a group of adult pilgrims from the Keighley area.
A spokesman for Holy Family school said: "Both groups met to begin their preparations by praying together in the school chapel.
"The evening began with a candlelit procession into the chapel.
"It looked ahead to the nightly Torchlight Procession, which is a key feature of the Lourdes pilgrimage. This sees the main square in Lourdes filled with people, each holding a candle while the Rosary is recited.
"Father John O’Keeffe, who is himself a regular pilgrim to Lourdes, celebrated Mass at the service during which he blessed the hands of the students and adults who will be tending the sick in a few weeks time."
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