"To extend the invitation of the Immaculate Conception as given to Bernadette in the Grotto at Lourdes; to serve the sick and suffering at Lourdes and at home following the loving example of St. Bernadette in simplicity, humility and obedience."

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers is a Public Association of the Christian Faithful founded in the Syracuse Diocese under the Ecclesial Authority of Most Revered James Moynihan. Originally formed in 2002 at the invitation of the Hospitalté Notre-Dame de Lourdes in France, our apostolate mission identifies our primary goal: "to extend the invitation to North Americans and to serve the sick and suffering."

We extend the invitation of the Immaculate Conception by sharing the Message of Lourdes offering our "Virtual Pilgrimage" experiences at parishes, schools, prisons, hospices and to organized groups in the United States. By informing North Americans "of good will" at home and abroad about the need for English-speaking volunteers at Lourdes, we facilitate the admission and the training processes, as well as the travel and Sanctuary accommodations to make volunteer service known, easily accessible and affordable. Special Needs Pilgrimages for the sick and disabled are offered annually with a team of dedicated volunteer medical professionals and loving care givers to assist the handicapped and terminally ill throughout travel and pilgrimage at Lourdes.

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers, Ltd. is a 501 (c) (3) incorporated in New York State. Conceived in prayerful response, this apostolate formed serving under the "Mantle of Our Lady." Our policy is to depend on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for financial resources. This prayerful decision was made to focus the energies of all involved to extend the invitation while not distracting limited resources to time-intensive fund-raising events. The apostolate operating costs are realized by the small proceeds from pilgrimages and the generosity of individual benefactors, donors and private sponsors.