Volunteer Service Pilgrimages

Volunteer Service Pilgrimages 2023

Advance Team volunteers support every aspect of our Special Needs Pilgrimage by arriving before and departing after to lovingly attend to the needs of our special needs pilgrims throughout their stay in Lourdes.

St. Damien Volunteer Service Pilgrimage – June 16-26, 2023 | 10 days/9 nights

Departure City – Detroit DTW – $3,099

St. Noel Volunteer Service Pilgrimage – October 6-16, 2023 | 10 days/9 nights

Departure City – New York JFK – $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 in July of 2022, we continue to accompany volunteer service pilgrimages to support Our Lady’s pilgrims when journeying to the Grotto. Our pilgrimages are accompanied by Catholic priests and leaders faithful to the Church. It is our privilege to assist volunteers in preparation, in travel and on a transformative life-changing journey to the Grotto bringing healing not only to those they serve but for themselves for many years to come.

Pilgrimage Highlights

Daily Mass, Grotto Mass and International Mass
Candlelight Rosary and Eucharistic Processions
Opportunity to receive the Sacrament of 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
Form life-long friendships as you grow in faith in service to Our Lady and her pilgrims.

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

Lourdes: Shared Sanctuary housing

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

Mandatory travel/medical insurance

Payments, Cancellations and Terms

Read full Terms and Conditions 2023.

St. Damien June 16-26, 2023

April 17, 2023 – Applications must be submitted with passport copy.

April 17, 2023 – final payment is due.

$500 Cancellation fee through April 17, 2023.

All payments are non-refundable after April 17, 2023.

St. Noel October 6-16, 2023

August 7, 2023 – Applications must be submitted with passport copy.

August 7, 2023 – final payment is due.

$500 Cancellation fee through August 7, 2023.

All payments are non-refundable after August 7, 2023.

Experience Our Lady’s Love in Lourdes

We ask our volunteers to serve when and where as needed! Assignments are subject to change based on the needs of the pilgrimage.

Housekeeping

A clean and tidy space sets the tone for the whole pilgrimage. Housekeeping includes making beds and cleaning the bathrooms and floors.

Transportation Service

Hands-on support with wheelchair service and other transportation needs for all outings. This service requires bending and lifting.

Hospitality & Dining Room Service

Meal service including set up, serving and clean up. Welcome and assist pilgrims on arrival and departure. Provide all that is needed for a comfortable stay in Lourdes.

Get Started

Next steps to plan your journey

1. Read; before starting our online application process, please read our Terms and Conditions 2023.

2. Apply: complete our application and health information form. This will take you 10 – 15 minutes, so plan accordingly.

3. Complete registration and payment: upon review and approval of your application, our team will contact you for placement and to direct the necessary steps to complete registration requirements and payment.

Apply Here!

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.

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.