DIOCESE OF LANCASTER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2024

THE ANNUAL DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES WILL DEPART FROM LIVERPOOL AIRPORT ON TUESDAY 23RD JULY 2024 - TUESDAY 30TH JULY 2024.

We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers as we pilgrimage to this special place where Our Blessed Lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1958.

If you are not travelling with us this year then please consider joining Bishop Paul and the Diocese in 2025.  This will be the 100th Centenary year of the Diocese of Lancaster and it is also The Jubilee Holy Year announced by Pope JPII at the end of the year 2000 at the Great Jubilee.  We are asked to Pilgrimage and so I invite you to come to Lourdes in 2025.  Please watch Parish Newsletters for further information. 

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

St Bernadette, pray for us.

Preparations for the 2024 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes is well under way and Bishop Paul Swarbrick invites you to join him 23rd  – 30^th July 2024

The pastoral theme for 3 years 2022-24 are the word’s that Mary, the Mother of God, entrusted to Bernadette Soubirous on 2^nd March 1858: “Go tell the priests to build a chapel here and that people should come in procession”.   

2022 – ‘Go and tell the priests….”

2023 – ‘…to build a chapel here…”

2024 – “…and that people should come in procession.”

The Relics of St Bernadette’s visit to the UK has inspired many pilgrims to join us on our 2023 Lourdes Pilgrimage for the first time. You are most welcome.  We also look forward to welcoming back pilgrims who have been many times to Lourdes.  New faces, new life and new targets are essential each year if the pilgrimage is to continue to grow therefore I ask you, if you have not yet booked then please to consider coming on pilgrimage with us in 2023.

MEDICAL & BRANCARDIER TEAMS!!  Our care for the sick pilgrims are second to none and are totally reliant on our volunteer helpers. As a volunteer you will be assisting the sick, infirm and lonely of our diocese.  Therefore, we appeal for nurses and carers throughout the diocese. If you or anyone you know are willing to be part of the Medical team then please contact chiefnurse@lancasterlourdes.co.uk  Many of you will know what a rewarding, wonderful experience working at the service of the sick pilgrims in Lourdes is.   

If you would like to join our Brancardier Team (male 23+) then please contact chiefbrancardier@lancasterlourdes.co.uk

YOUTH 2024:-  For the 2024 the Pilgrimage Director of Youth will be Katie O Donnell.  Katie will be supported by Team leaders who will ensure the young people have a spiritual and uplifting week.

PLEASE NOTE THE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE A STOP OFF B & B NIGHT WITH A DAY SIGHTSEEING IN PARIS ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THE UK. 

We call upon young people in the diocese 15+ to consider coming on pilgrimage. You will be given all the preparation, support and training you need.  Many young people make decisions about future careers whilst in Lourdes.  Find time to explore your faith, to learn about yourself and to make friends you will have for life. Many often say “you don’t ‘go’ to Lourdes, you are ‘called’’.  Please answer the call in 2023! 

All young people are asked to registered as soon as possible. Forms are available through Joe Walsh Tours or contact:- youth@lancasterlourdes.co.uk

IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION THEN PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT JOE WALSH TOURS website:- www.joewalshtours.co.uk/pilgrimages or call Freephone:- 0808 1890468

Linda Wisdom

Director of Operations