| Special Needs Pilgrimages |
| Pilgrimage Includes |
• Roundtrip flights |
| About Pilgrimage |
| According to both the Old and New Testaments, people have been making spiritual journeys to holy sites for thousands of years. The purpose of pilgrimage is to grow in faith while making a visit to a place made holy by a sacred event that took place there. As pilgrims, it is often while away from our everyday life and routine that we experience a deepening relationship with God. Over 10 million pilgrims from all over the world visited Lourdes, France during the Jubilee year. Why? Because the Grotto is a special place of healing, hope and peace for those who make the spiritual journey to Lourdes. Is Our Lady Inviting You? |
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| Special Needs Pilgrimage |
| Throughout Europe annual Hospitality pilgrimages bring terminally ill, elderly, and handicap special needs individuals to Lourdes. Each year over 50,000 seriously ill pilgrims make the spiritual journey to the Grotto. The joy of special needs pilgrims is evident in their faces and tearful farewells. Nobody goes home empty-handed! This unique experience is made possible by the volunteer services of over 100,000 Hospitality lay helpers and medical professionals from all over the world. North American Lourdes Volunteers is the first Hospitality of the Americas now accompanying special needs pilgrims to Lourdes each year. |
| About Lourdes |
| In 1858 the Mother of
God appeared to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous in the
Grotto on the outskirts of the town of Lourdes in the Pyrenees
Mountains. In all, there were 18 apparitions which included requests
to uncover a spring of water, pray, build a chapel and come in
procession. Since then, there have been thousands of scientifically
documented cures and countless numbers of conversions and healings
attributed to the waters of that spring. A beautiful and pastoral setting comprises the vast domain of the Sanctuaries which now houses three basilicas, churches and several chapels. Two unique "welcome" facilities offer special accommodations for the sick and handicapped. |
| Pilgrim Accommodations |
The Hotel La Solitude is a three-star property conveniently located near the entry to the Sanctuaries and overlooking the River. All meals are provided in the hotel dining room. Most special dietary needs can be accommodated. The Accuiel Marie St.-Frai is a special place of welcome offering 400 hospital beds operated by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and located conveniently just outside St. Joseph's Gate. The Accueil Notre-Dame is a special place of welcome offering 900
hospital beds operated by the Sanctuaries across the river and
overlooking the Grotto. |
General Itinerary |
Following is the general itinerary outline for special needs pilgrimages: |
 Day 1: USA departure on Air France overnight international flight; dinner and breakfast served in flight. Day 2: Arrival in Paris; connecting flight to Pau; private coach or amubulance transfer to Lourdes. Lunch, Welcome Mass and dinner. Day 3: Breakfast and our morning visit and tour of the Sanctuaries concluding with Mass. Following lunch, a visit to the Baths. The Candlelight Procession is available after dinner every evening. 
Day 4: International Mass and leisure afternoon or Way of the Cross. Evening Candlelight Procession. Day 5: Breakfast followed by "In the Footsteps of Bernadette" walking tour with a visit to her birthplace, Boly Mill and the Cachot "jail" Soubirous home. Following lunch, we rest and then join the Eucharistic Procession, Mass and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Day 6: Morning Mass and optional walking tour to the Lourdes French market and the Chateau Fort. Afternoon at leisure. Blessing of articles and farewell dinner tonight. Day 7: Mass, breakfast and departure from Lourdes for return flight from Pau to the USA. Time for personal prayer, devotions and family provided each day. Eucharistic and the Nightly Candlelight Processions with all the spiritual practices of the Sanctuary available daily. |