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Each year, we take more than 700 pilgrims to Lourdes to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Our group includes pilgrims who are sick, disabled, frail or elderly and need our help to make the journey. Our pilgrimage is "Love In Action", we journey to Lourdes to serve each other and to renew our commitment to walk with Jesus Christ with the help of Our Lady and St Bernadette.

Since early January, applications have been pouring in to our Pilgrimage Office for the 2026 Lourdes Pilgrimage, with families, young people who will be Redshirts and Purpleshirts, Helpers (Year 13 to age 75), clinicians, pilgrims in need of support, helpers and independent pilgrims all answering “Yes” to Our Lady’s invitation to come in procession, wash and drink the waters of the spring and pray together. They are also looking forward to sharing a lot of fun and fellowship.

This week, applications for Assisted Pilgrims have been closed, and a waiting list opened, because more helpers and clinicians are needed to support them. Could you be one of them?

Many people may have considered joining the pilgrimage but then thought “No, I’m not the right person” or worried that they won’t have a chance to experience Lourdes spiritually, if they go to help. Happily, there is no “right person”, and everyone in every role is a pilgrim and prays together, whatever their other responsibilities.

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Myth 1: “Only practising Catholics can go to Lourdes”
Fact: All are welcome!

Practising Catholics, lapsed Catholics, the enquiring, the unsure and the curious are all welcome. Maybe you are considering coming just because your Catholic spouse wants to go – you will be welcome too! And like everyone else, you will find significant camaraderie and joy in Lourdes. If you are going as a Helper, you will find that helping others in places like Lourdes includes excellent chances for socialising with people from all walks of life from across the Diocese, creating a fun, welcoming environment.

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Myth 2: “Pilgrimage Helpers just work all week”
Fact: Being a Helper is a profound, two-way spiritual experience.

While helpers do undertake physical tasks, their primary goal is companionship and sharing time and faith with the pilgrims. Being a Helper is a mix of service and charity, where Helpers and Assisted Pilgrims both grow closer to their spiritual goals, and have a lot of fun together.

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Myth 3: “You need specialist medical training”
Fact: All the training needed is given.

Helpers primarily provide care, energy, and companionship under the guidance of clinical professionals, and training is given to all volunteers. Helper roles often involve pushing wheelchairs, assisting with logistics, and simply spending time with pilgrims, engaging in conversation, and creating memories.

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Myth 4: “Helpers are only there to serve”
Fact: Everyone in Lourdes serves and is served by others

A pilgrimage is distinct from any other holiday as it is marked by service to others but it is also so much more: Helpers work hard to ensure their pilgrims have a meaningful, safe experience, and time together is a valuable opportunity to learn about one another’s lives and experiences, and the deeper reasons behind their journey. Helpers learn from the pilgrims too.

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Myth 5: “You can't connect with God while working”
Fact: Work is a form of prayer.

Alex Manko, Pilgrimage Director, reflects on service as prayer:

“By assisting those in need, Helpers engage in an act of service that brings them closer to the spiritual heart of Lourdes.

"Being a pilgrimage helper is a blend of selfless service, personal spiritual enrichment and fun. It is a unique opportunity to build community, have fun, and witness profound faith and love in action. Every year I am humbled by the care and friendship shared between our volunteers and our assisted pilgrims, it is a glimpse into what is possible in this life when all we seek to do is look after each other. We just need to say the first ‘Yes’ and fill in the application to begin our helper journey.”

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Is Our Lady calling you to Lourdes this summer? Visit our Lourdes Pilgrimage pages to find out more.