THIS week a Pilgrimage was held in West Cumbria.
St Mary's Church and Grotto in Cleator welcomes parishioners from across the diocese, incorporating parts of Cumbria and Lancashire, to a special annual service.
Traditionally the service is held in the Grotto which is a replica of the Grotto seen at Lourdes in France.
However, this year, due to uncertain weather conditions, it was decided that the majority of the service would be held inside the church building.
Once communion was given, a procession was led by the bishop and other clergy through the graveyard towards the Grotto where the recessional hymn was sung.
Father Paul Johnstone, of St Mary's Church, said: "It's great that we're still doing the Pilgrimage which has been going on since 1927.
READ MORE: Volunteers restore flower beds outside St Mary's in Cleator
"We've managed to keep it going every year except for in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
"It's a great tradition that we're keeping going, and we're able to attract people each year to come here to Cleator.
"Since the Grotto opened almost 100 years ago it has been the focus of devotion and pilgrimage.
"We continue to promote and honour this special place in the hearts of all faithful pilgrims for generations to come."
Back in the 1920s Father Clayton, the priest at the time, brought together unemployed men from across Cleator Moor to help to build the Grotto.
These men were then given vouchers for clothes and food for their work.
The church bought a plot of land adjoining the church and the men were asked to create a replica Grotto of the one seen in Lourdes.
The Grotto has been altered over the years, originally the statue of Our Lady was central, but this has since been moved to the right-hand side.
READ MORE: A look at the history of St Mary's Grotto in Cleator
In 1982 a statue of St. Bernadette was added and dedicated to the late Christopher Hill's father G. A. Dawson OSB, who served as Curate from 1926 until 1930.
Cardinal Hulme visited Cleator in 1980 and dedicated the Grotto.
This year's service focused on prayers and hymns, with the bishop offering advice and hope to parishioners.
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