Roles in the CA
Please read on below to find out more about how the CA’s annual pilgrimage works!
Assisted Pilgrims
The Catholic Association exits to make pilgrimage to Lourdes possible for those who need assistance and may not be able to travel without this assistance. Assisted Pilgrims are the centre of the CA Pilgrimage, every year.
As a medically enhanced pilgrimage we are able to support people with complex needs.
We provide this care in an Accueil (we rotate between the Accueil Notre Dame and Accueil Saint Frai), and are able to provide rolling services from hotels.
If you would like to find out more click the link below.
Volunteers
There are many volunteer opportunities with the CA!
Volunteer Helpers (Brancardiers & Handmaids) are non medical volunteers coming from a wide range of backgrounds. We do mixed duties to assist the various needs of pilgrims. There is no age limit!
Healthcare Professionals (including students!) provide are manage the healthcare of the assisted pilgrims. This includes: Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists etc. We offer elective placements for Student Healthcare Professionals.
The Young Helpers Group welcomes any 16-25 year olds coming as a volunteer (helper or healthcare). It is a subsidised group which stays and travels together.
Find out more about the duties and how to apply as a volunteer by clicking on the buttons below.
Groups
Each of the Dioceses & Groups that travel with us to Lourdes (currently: Clifton, East Anglia, Northampton, Southwark, Stonyhurst, Glanfield & CA Annual) is overseen by a Diocesan or Group Director. Read on about each of these groups by clicking on the button below.
Glanfield
The Glanfield Group takes children with learning difficulties, as well as chronic and terminal illnesses. Supported by a dedicated team of volunteers.
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.
Clergy
Clergy play an important role on the pilgrimage, supporting the spiritual needs of the community including assisted pilgrims and volunteers.
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.
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!