Overview & Itinerary
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Accommodation
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Highlight
The annual CA Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from Friday 21st – Friday 28th August 2026.
The Pilgrimage provides a unique opportunity to gather in Lourdes, to pray and journey together in faith. It is a time to stand apart from the rigours of life and seek the peace, healing, and grace which a pilgrimage experience can afford.
Pilgrims come from all parts of the UK and beyond. In Lourdes we encounter pilgrims from all over the world.
Our assisted pilgrims, those who may be elderly, frail, or dependent are supported by our own team of willing volunteers, including doctors, nurses, other allied health professionals and many others with different backgrounds and experiences.
All volunteers are self-funding and give up their own time to support those who are less able. They serve in a spirit inspired by love of God and love of neighbour.
About our pilgrimage
During our pilgrimage, there will be a lot to see and experience. Our pilgrimage and tour of Lourdes includes visits to the Basilica of the Rosary and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
We take part in the Masses, the Stations of the Cross and the blessing of the sick, visit the Grotto of Massabeille where the apparitions of Our Lady took place.
You will have the chance to drink from the spring at the base of the Grotto. The original spring that Bernadette located is still visible, protected by a glass cover and illuminated.
Visit the baths where hundreds of miraculous healings have taken place.
We participate in the evening torchlight processions which is a wonderful experience. Our Lady requested that these processions take place when She appeared to Bernadette.
We will also offer a walking tour to the Boly Mill, where Bernadette was born, and to the Cachot, an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s family lived.
We will see the hospice where Bernadette attended school and made her First Holy Communion. After the apparitions she also lived here until the age of twenty two, when she went to Nevers to join the Sisters of Charity of Nevers.
With any free time available, we are pleased to offer optional excursions to Bartres where we will see where Bernadette lived for a period of her life. Other optional excursions to Gavanie may also be offered.
This programme is subject to change.
CA Youth Pilgrimage
The Young Helpers Group are very simply a group of 16-25 year old volunteers (often first time helpers) who wish to volunteer on our pilgrimage. A number of schools sending volunteers will often arrange for them to attend as part of the YHG, all of whom travel to and from Lourdes together and stay at the same hotel. The YHG is overseen by the YHG Leaders (currently Andy Joyce and Sarah Sparrow).
The Group is subsidised by the CA to encourage young people to experience Lourdes as volunteers. The group travels together, in 2026 this will be on one of the flights.
Financial Assistance
To encourage pilgrims who might otherwise find the cost too high, the trustees of the Catholic Association have again agreed to fund part of the cost of the pilgrimage from charitable funds .
See the details and conditions here CA website.
CA Funding
