 In 1881 a Welcoming Committee was formed to assist and
receive the increasing numbers of pilgrims arriving at Lourdes.
The Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes was founded in 1885 and
has been committed to serve all those who come to Lourdes.
Today over 7,000 charitable volunteers serve the six million
pilgrims who travel to Lourdes every year. This organized group
of lay volunteers commits to serve each other and all pilgrims
in simplicity, humility and obedience. The Hospitality of Our
Lady of Lourdes is an Arch Confraternity in the Roman Catholic
Church and is under the authority of the Bishop of Tarbes,
governed by a president and council comprised of
representatives of all the volunteer sections.
Each Hospitality Volunteer Section is managed by a Director
and a Council. The six Volunteer Sections include the Welcoming
and Administration Acceuil, the hospices of Notre Dame and
Saint Frai, the Piscines (baths), the Men’s Brancardiers
(stretcher-bearers) of St. Joseph and the housing and food
services of St. Michel. Together, these councils provide all
the services needed at the Sanctuary to serve each person
arriving throughout the year.
For more about Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes, please
visit the Official website. |
