Supportive Care Pilgrimages
Limited seats remaining for October 2024. Contact us to apply. (315) 476-0026 or info@LourdesVolunteers.org
(Our 2025 schedule and application will be available this fall.)
Supportive Care Pilgrimages 2024
Pilgrimage for the sick, suffering and those in need of special accommodations.
St. Marianne Supportive Care Pilgrimage – June 15-22, 2024 | 7 days/6 nights
Departure Cities- New York JFK Departure – $3,299 / Atlanta ATL Departure – $3,299
St. Bernadette Supportive Care Pilgrimage- October 6-13, 2024 | 7 days/6nights
Departure Cities- New York JFK Departure- $3,099 / Los Angeles LAX Departure $ 3,299
Please read through this entire webpage before applying to join us.
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 22 years in service to the sick, 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/medical insurance coverages).
St. Marianne June 15-22, 2024
$1,000 deposit due upon reservation
Seats filled on a first come first serve basis
March 1, 2024 – final application deadline
March 7, 2024- final payment is due
$500 Cancellation fee through March 7, 2024
All payments are non-refundable after March 7, 2024
St. Bernadette October 6-13, 2024
$1,000 deposit due upon reservation
Seats filled on a first come first serve basis
June 21, 2024 – final application deadline
June 28, 2024- final payment is due
$500 Cancellation fee through June 27, 2024
All payments are non-refundable after June 28, 2024
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 Supportive Care 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, Supportive Care 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.
Pilgrimage Expectations & Dress Code
Our dress code ensures a reverent and unified look at the Sanctuary and helps to maintain the respect Our Lady deserves in the Grotto. Modesty is most important and appropriate in the holy places where we will spend most of our time. The European standard of dress is more formal than the casual dress of the United States. Inappropriate dress is not acceptable in Catholic sites throughout Europe and is strictly enforced. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the spirit of Lourdes by following our dress code to better serve each other, Our Lady and her pilgrims in Lourdes.
Pilgrims and lay volunteers wear casual, comfortable clothing.
Physicians wear a white lab coat.
Nurses wear a white nurse dress uniform for daily service.
Advance Team volunteers wear a uniform shirt, blouse or collared shirt (no t-shirts) with solid color, preferably dark pants or skirt. No jeans or shorts allowed during service.
All volunteers are to be neat, clean and presentable at all times.
Mobility, flexibility, comfort and modesty are important in volunteer clothing choices.
Upon placement, the dress code for your specific service will be reviewed with you.
Get Started
Next steps to plan your journey
1. Read: before starting our online application process, please read our 2024 Terms and Conditions.
2. Apply: complete our application and health information form. This will take you 20-30 minutes, so plan accordingly. Please have the following checklist prepared to apply. Incomplete information could delay your application process!
-
Image of passport to upload
-
Image of medical license to upload (for medical professionals only)
-
Delta SkyMiles number (if applicable)
-
Medication list
-
Physician and Emergency contact phone/fax numbers
-
Complete contact information for your diocesan reference (1st year volunteers only)
3. Application interview/placement and make $1,000 deposit to reserve your seat!
4. Finalize all registration requirements, travel logistics and final payment.
5. Pray, pack and go!
Experience Our Lady’s Love in Lourdes
Over 2,000 Special Needs Pilgrims have entrusted us with their care on 57 pilgrimages! Join us as a pilgrim, companion or medical volunteer!
Supportive Care 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!
For more information about pilgrimage opportunities, call our office at (315) 476-0026.
Learn more about our Andrea’s Wish Sponsorship Fund for supportive care pilgrims in need of financial assistance.
Limited seats remaining for October 2024. Contact us to apply. (315) 476-0026 or info@LourdesVolunteers.org
(Our 2025 schedule and application will be available this fall.)