To Lourdes and beyond – the pilgrimage that is for life

The Catholic Association’s annual Lourdes pilgrimage

Lourdes is a place where “people count” – not just in the sense of looking after each other, but also in the terms of perennial questions such as, “How many times have you been?” or, “When did you first come?”   

Interesting data maybe, but potentially but off the point. “Pilgrimage” is not a one-off event which can be mathematically calculated.  It is a lifelong activity.  We are a “pilgrim Church” for as long as we are on earth.  We may set off to a holy place, Santiago, Rome, or Lourdes, but we journey not just to that physical place, but as part of a lifelong journey of renewal, connection and enlightenment. To go to Lourdes is not a full stop, nor even a week within brackets: it is a colon, a question mark, a row of dots. As we leave Lourdes after a week there, we simply continue our pilgrimage in our daily life.

As such, a pilgrimage to Lourdes is just a step on a long journey to salvation, in step with fellow pilgrims.  We give ourselves time to pray and to reflect together in the communal and individual spaces of the weekly programme, the litanies and processions, and time at the Grotto.  Lourdes is a special, grace filled place, the world’s greatest “shrine of healing”, where we try to live the two key commandments of our faith: love of God and love of our neighbour. We adore and we serve.

The pilgrimage week integrates our internal and external journey as disciples, a journey which makes sense of the ordinary things of life, a chance to (re)discover our relationship with God through our encounters with people of all ages and capacities, from all over the world. Lourdes is a place where the lasts become firsts: where the so-called “assisted pilgrims” become the inspiration; where work becomes service; where the only mutual consideration is love not money; where everything is turned upside down and inside out; where the language is that of love and smiles; where humanity in all its shapes, sizes and colours is one glorious whole; where life is lived and loved as it should be, all in the shadow of Bernadette, and under the watchful, smiling, eyes of Our Lady and in the name and presence of our Lord. 

 In short, we experience in a small but powerful way, God’s Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven”, returning with a deeper understanding of ourselves, of God, of our fellow pilgrims, of our part in creation, and of our active role in transforming the world for the better. Our Lady’s invitation to come in procession, to go to the spring and drink and bathe, to build Church, to come in pilgrimage to Lourdes, is a precious gift that should be safeguarded and made possible for all.

In answer to that invitation, every year since 1901 save for the two world wars and the covid pandemic, the Catholic Association (CA) has organised an annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. Over the last 124 years (back to counting!) we estimate that the CA has enabled 100,000 pilgrims to make that journey – and that ignores the other pilgrimages, such as the Society of Our Lady of Lourdes, HCPT and Arundel and Brighton, that were spawned by the CA.

The CA pilgrimage is medically supported. Tthis year we had more than 40 health care professionals – doctors, nurses, dentists, occupational therapists – as well as more than 100 volunteer helpers. Indeed, it is medically enhancing, the all-round care providing opportunities to help the pilgrims improve their lives in ways which are rarely possible. The CA provides a spiritual, liturgical, pastoral and logistical infrastructure which enables groups and smaller dioceses to achieve far more for their pilgrims than they could do alone. Currently we combine the diocesan pilgrimages of Clifton, Southwark, East Anglia and Northampton, with the Glanfield Children’s group, the pilgrims from Stonyhurst College, and many other pilgrims from all over the UK.  

Next year is our 125th birthday in Lourdes. Please join us, from the 21 to 28 August 2026, either by coming yourself (and family?) and/or by helping another who might benefit from a week in Lourdes , and/or by contributing to our fundraising initiative, CA@125 fund (https://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/calourdes125) and any way, just as importantly, by praying for us and for all those who take the long journey in pilgrimage to Lourdes.

In whichever way, we would love you to be fellow pilgrims in our 125th pilgrimage. Our Lady of Lourdes’ invitation is to all, whatever their health, whatever their wealth.  The Catholic Association has for 125 years facilitated pilgrims to accept that invitation.  Long may that continue.

Christopher Page is Chair of Trustees, Catholic Association