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Special Needs Pilgrimages 2023
Pilgrimage for the sick, suffering and those in need of special accommodations.
St. Marianne Special Needs Pilgrimage – June 18-24, 2023 | 7 days/6 nights
Departure Cities- New York JFK Departure – $2,799 / San Francisco SFO Departure – $2,999
St. Bernadette Special Needs Pilgrimage – October 8-14 | 7 days/6 nights
Departure Cities- New York JFK Departure – $2,799 / Houston IAH Departure $2,899
Why come with us?
It is our blessing to join pilgrims on their journey to Lourdes and to pray with them in the Grotto. Celebrating 20 years in service to the sick this July, we continue to accompany pilgrims with diabetes, end stage cancer and many other illnesses and needs. These pilgrimages are accompanied by Catholic priests and leaders faithful to the Church. It is our privilege to assist pilgrims in preparation, in travel and on pilgrimage.
Supportive Care
Thanks to our medical volunteers, we are able to provide supportive medical care for each pilgrim. We support pilgrims who might have diabetes and are in need of wheelchair assistance to those who are end-stage cancer and might need oxygen.
Pilgrim supportive care is reviewed by our medical team, including our medical director and head nurse who have been to Lourdes over twenty times. A pilgrimage physician and a pilgrimage nurse is assigned each special needs pilgrim.
In addition to our medical team, our pilgrims are supported on pilgrimage by our experienced pilgrimage leaders, lay companions and advance team volunteers. Lay volunteers provide for all the personal and practical care. Every detail is lovingly considered to make for a happy and holy journey to Lourdes, France.
Pilgrimage Highlights
- Daily Mass, Grotto Mass and International Mass.
- Candlelight Rosary and Eucharistic Processions.
- Opportunities to receive the Sacraments, including Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation.
- Visit to the Piscines (Baths) – the Baths are open limited hours, but immersion into the tub is not available at this time. Families can enter together, remain clothed, and experience the “Gesture of Water” in guided prayer, similar to Bernadette during the 9th apparition with Lourdes Water poured over the hands for personal use.
- Tours of the Sanctuary and town of Lourdes.
What’s Included
Included
Flights
Round trip flights from departure city through Paris- CDG Airport to Pau PUF.
Bus Transport
Private transport from Pau Airport to Lourdes.
Accommodations
In support of pilgrims needing supportive medical care, our group accommodations are at the Accueil Notre-Dame. In French, accueil means a place of welcome. The AN-D is a hospital-bed facility located on the grounds of the Sanctuary of Lourdes. The AN-D offers medical equipment necessary to support our pilgrims including wheelchairs, handicap bathrooms, shower chairs, and wall oxygen.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Pilgrimage Chaplain
Catholic priest(s) will accompany the pilgrimage; Mass daily, available for spiritual direction, Sacramental Confession, and Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
Leader(s)
Experienced Pilgrimage Leaders to guide travel and scheduled activities.
Not Included
Travel from your home city to departure city airport for group departure, mandatory travel/medical insurance, airport snacks or meals, bistro snacks, drinks, desserts; musuem or show entrance fee/tickets, taxi or private transportation, tips (our Lourdes Volunteers Leaders do NOT accept tips); ambulance transportation, medical visits, medication or hospitalization (see Travel Guard coverages).
St. Marianne June 18-24, 2023
April 19, 2023 – Applications must be submitted with passport copy.
April 19, 2023- final payment is due.
$500 Cancellation fee through April 19, 2023.
All payments are non-refundable after April 19, 2023.
St. Bernadette October 8-14, 2023
August 9, 2023 – Applications must be submitted with passport copy.
August 9, 2023- final payment is due.
$500 Cancellation fee through August 9, 2023.
All payments are non-refundable after August 9, 2023.
Experience Our Lady’s Love in Lourdes
Over 2,000 Special Needs Pilgrims have entrusted us with their care on 54 pilgrimages! Join us as a pilgrim, companion or medical volunteer!
Special Needs Pilgrims
For the sick, disabled, suffering and those in need of special accommodations.
Advance Team Volunteers
Our Volunteer Service Pilgrimages are for lay volunteers that support the behind the scenes duties necessary to bring the sick to Lourdes.
Medical Volunteers
For doctors, nurses and practitioners willing to make the impossible possible!
Accommodations and Flight Information
Pilgrimage Accommodations
In support of pilgrims needing supportive medical care, our group accommodations are at the Accueil Notre-Dame. In French, accueil means a place of welcome. The AN-D is a hospital-bed facility located on the grounds of the Sanctuary of Lourdes. The AN-D offers medical equipment necessary to support our pilgrims including wheelchairs, handicap bathrooms, shower chairs, and wall oxygen.
The Accueil offers a walking bridge from the front door to the Grotto and is located in the midst of the Rosary candlelight and the Eucharistic processions. The Sanctuary is surrounded by the town of Lourdes giving quick access to bistros, cafes and shopping.
Specific flight itineraries will be sent during the registration process once you have worked with a member of our team to determine your service placement and dates.
Please make your deposit and work with Kathleen, our Special Needs Pilgrimage Manager before buying any connecting travel!
Delta Airlines and Air France are Sky Team partners. It is highly recommended ALL connecting travel be on Delta Airlines flights. IF YOU CHOOSE another carrier and do not arrive on time for your group flight, Air France will not be obligated to assist you.
Please allow at least 3 HOURS OR MORE to arrive prior to international departure.
Please allow at least 3 HOURS OR MORE to depart for your connecting flight home upon return.
Please submit your application, make your deposit and work with Kathleen, Special Needs Pilgrimage Manager, before buying your connecting travel to any departure city!
We suggest you join Delta SkyMiles frequent flier program earning miles. Sign up through Delta Airlines. Only a SkyMiles number can be provided to the group desk before travel. You earn miles on fares based on a percentage of the distance flown on your flight. The percentage is determined by the fare of your ticket. Other Sky Team frequent flier numbers must be presented at check-in. Please provide your SkyMiles number to our office when completing the application.
Get Started
Next steps to plan your journey