How the Pilgrimage works
The Catholic Association, abbreviated to the CA, has been around in one form or another since 1881 and ran its first pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1901. Its main purpose is to mastermind the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, currently incorporating the diocesan pilgrimages of Clifton, East Anglia, Northampton, Southwark, and the Stonyhurst College Lourdes Pilgrimage. Each of these groups is overseen by a Diocesan or Group Director. The entire Pilgrimage is coordinated by the Pilgrimage Director (currently Fr Simon Blakesley, East Anglia).
Please read on below to find out more about how the CA’s annual pilgrimage works!
Management
The CA’s Board of Trustees, the Hospitalité Council and Heads of Service, as well as the various Committees, work closely throughout the year to prepare for the pilgrimage. Find out more about the composition and duties of these bodies by clicking on the button below.
Volunteers
Our medical (Nurses & Doctors) and non-medical volunteers (Brancardiers & Handmaids, including the Young Helpers Group) are central to the CA’s work in Lourdes and are organised by the Hospitalité. Find out more about their duties and how to apply as a volunteer by clicking on the button below.
Groups
Each of the Dioceses & Groups that travel with us to Lourdes (currently: Clifton, East Anglia, Northampton, Southwark, and the Stonyhurst College Lourdes Pilgrimage) is overseen by a Diocesan or Group Director. Read on about each of these groups by clicking on the button below.
Pilgrimage Events
Each pilgrimage week follows roughly the same format with the CA attended services and events within Lourdes, as organised by the HNDL (the main Hospitalité that runs Lourdes, which is separate to our own CA Hospitalité). Click on the button below to read on about what to expect when joining us in Lourdes!
Assisted Pilgrims
Assisted Pilgrims (the sick) travel with us to Lourdes every year. If you would like to come on pilgrimage with the CA as an Assisted Pilgrim, please click on the button below.
Travel Agent
The CA have been travelling to Lourdes with Tangney Tours for several decades and works closely with their executive management to ensure that the logistics of flying out our volunteers and assisted pilgrims to Lourdes run smoothly each year. You can find out more about Tangney Tours by clicking on the button below.
