Delta Airlines and Air France are Sky Team partners. It is highly recommended ALL connecting travel to JFK be on Delta Airlines flights. IF YOU CHOOSE another carrier and do not arrive to JFK on time for your group flight, Air France will not be obligated to assist you to another flight to Paris.

Please allow at least 3 HOURS OR MORE to arrive in JFK prior to international departure.

Please allow at least 3 HOURS OR MORE to depart for your connecting flight home upon return.

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. 

Code of Conduct to Read

Code of Conduct
Please review the Code of Conduct below. You agreed to this when you submitted your application.

Lourdes is a holy place, where miracles occur in an atmosphere of prayer. The opening words of the invitation of Our Lady to Bernadette in the Grotto, “Would you be so kind as to come here…”, give us the “Spirit of Lourdes”, and Bernadette’s docile and joyful response provides the example for our behavior: serving pilgrims at Lourdes, serving each person as Christ.
All individuals are required to uphold the Spirit of Lourdes by strictly adhering to the standards of behavior and appearance outlined in this Code of Conduct. Compliance is mandatory and essential to properly serve Our Lady’s pilgrims and one another during the pilgrimage. Our code of conduct is set in place to protect the safety and integrity of all those on holy pilgrimage and to safeguard our volunteers against any falsifications during their time with our Hospitality.

1. Confidentiality and Respect for Privacy
•Respect the confidentiality of all pilgrims and volunteers by safeguarding personal or sensitive information.
•Do not disclose, discuss, distribute, or share private information through any communication channels.
•Sensitive information should only be shared with those who have a legitimate need to know, such as Pilgrimage Leadership, the Medical Team, or Parent Chaperones.
•Refrain from gossip or unnecessary disclosure.
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality
North American Volunteers

2. Service and Leadership
•Serve as directed by your Leadership Team each day of the pilgrimage.
•Follow the daily schedule and remain flexible to changes.
•Demonstrate full cooperation, respect, and obedience toward those giving instruction.
•Report any concerns or incidents to Pilgrimage Leadership immediately for private, charitable discussion and confidential guidance.
•Respect the knowledge, experience, and direction of our Leadership. Please refrain from creating or communicating any change to the established process. This causes confusion on the ground. Please bring suggestions to your Leadership Team if you’d like to implement an alternative approach. We always want to improve the experience, but there are reasons why things are done the way they are; a first-time or inexperienced volunteer may not understand.

3. Punctuality and Attendance
•Timeliness is required for all services, activities, meetings, and events to ensure smooth operations.
•Comply with nightly curfews set by the Sanctuaries.
oIndividuals must enter the Gates of the Sanctuary after curfew only through security.
oJumping or scaling walls, gates, or fences could result in being sent home early, with all associated costs the responsibility of the volunteer.

4. Dress and Appearance
•Strict adherence to our dress code is mandatory.
•Non-compliance may result in being asked to change, denied participation for the day, or removal from volunteer service for repeat offenses.

5. Faith and Spiritual Conduct
•As a Public Association of the Christian Faithful, we act in strict accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding faith and morals.
•Volunteers are expected to uphold and exemplify the doctrines and moral principles of the Catholic Church.
•No sexual or inappropriate conduct or innuendos.
•To maintain the spiritual focus of the pilgrimage, refrain from:
oLewd language
oConversations or activities related to non-
Catholic religious practices, occult practices,
witchcraft, or schismatic teachings

6. Professionalism and Emotional Management
•Be patient when misunderstandings arise.
•If you feel overwhelmed and at risk of outbursts, notify a member of your team to take a moment to collect yourself.
•Managing stress and emotions professionally is vital to the overall service atmosphere for pilgrims.
•Treat everyone with dignity: no harassment, bullying, or discrimination.
•Maintain honesty, transparency, and responsibility in all service assignments.

7. Conduct with Pilgrims, Volunteers, Youth & Young Adults & the Vulnerable
•The international language of Lourdes is a smile! Be kind to all you encounter.
•Attend to the sick attentively and lovingly, with generosity and compassion, serving at the hands and feet of Christ.
•No 1 on 1 private or secluded contact or meetings. Travel in groups whenever possible. Do not go beyond the bathroom or behind closed doors with any youth or vulnerable adults at any time. If you are being asked for help, grab another adult discreetly before putting yourself in a compromising position by giving hearsay. Door Always Open!
•Use the “buddy system” whenever you can, especially at night when it is dark.
•Refrain from unwanted, tight, or prolonged physical contact, especially with the vulnerable and youth, to avoid any discomfort or triggers.
•Do not solicit or purchase gifts for others to mitigate any misunderstandings or expectations of reciprocity.

8. Compliance with Laws and Policies
•Individuals are required to comply with all local laws and regulations in the United States, during travel on aircraft, and in France.
•Volunteers are expected to eat as often as possible at the St. Michel Cafeteria. We work together each year prior to the pilgrimage to provide a cost-effective, time-sensitive solution that allows our volunteers to eat affordably and return to service in a timely manner. We appreciate their efforts to plan our meals and do not want food/money wasted. If you plan to eat out during your service, please notify Leadership upon arrival. Eating at the cafeteria with volunteers serving from all over the world is a remarkable experience and a key part of your overall pilgrimage journey.

9. Accountability and Consequences
•As a volunteer representing the association, your behavior reflects on the group.
•Inappropriate behavior includes:
oLoud, unruly, or unsafe actions
oPoor decision-making
oAbuse or misuse of alcohol or drugs
•Such actions may cause embarrassment or difficulties for the group and our relationships with the airlines and the Sanctuaries.
•No open containers of alcohol permitted at your accommodations.
•Parent chaperones and youth/young adults are prohibited from alcohol consumption during your pilgrimage.

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.

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.