Update on Lourdes 2021

It is with regret that we announce that there will be no formal and medically supported Catholic Association pilgrimage to Lourdes this year. The full pilgrimage to Lourdes scheduled for 21-27 August 2021 is therefore cancelled. However, we will be announcing a schedule for special virtual events throughout 2021 and the virtual pilgrimage programme very soon.  

The Catholic Association Board of Trustees have taken this decision to cancel the pilgrimage in light of the on-going effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although there is encouraging progress with the vaccinations taking place in the UK, the Trustees consider that it may not be wise for us to take any assisted pilgrims (i.e. those with medical, nursing or care needs) to Lourdes in August. The Trustees were also mindful that many of our volunteer helpers may not be able to join the pilgrimage this year and, in particular, our medical and nursing volunteer helpers, who lead the care of our Assisted Pilgrims.

We understand how disappointing this decision will be for many of our past pilgrims, especially our Assisted Pilgrims who are at the heart of everything we do and are the reason the Catholic Association exists. We hope that we will all be together in person again in Lourdes in 2022. In the meantime, we are busy planning some special moments for 2021 that will enable us to stay in touch as the Catholic Association family and to still celebrate in the miracle of Lourdes. We look forward to welcoming you all to the virtual pilgrimage once again and to our events programme throughout the year. We shall be writing soon with more details of how to join us.

We recognise that some of you may still plan to visit Lourdes in August for personal reflection and spiritual healing during this very challenging time, or as proxies for those unable to travel themselves. Tangney Tours, our long-standing tour operator, intend to run a pilgrimage at the end of August 2021 which may be of interest to you and on which the Catholic Association plans to be represented. Please note that there would be no medical, nursing or care assistance on this pilgrimage. If you would like to find out more, please visit Tangney Tours' website at www.tangney-tours.com or phone them on 01732 886666, or keep an eye on our website.