Volunteer your skills to look after our Accueil (assisted) pilgrims on this year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage.

Applications to join the Lourdes Nursing and Medical Team or the Handmaids and Brancardiers for the 2023 Diocesan Pilgrimage are now open.

This year’s pilgrimage takes place from Saturday 27 May to Friday 2 June 2023 in Lourdes, France. The pilgrimage theme is "...to build a chapel here...".

The Archdiocese of Birmingham hosts a pilgrimage to Lourdes every year and during recent pandemic years even hosted virtual pilgrimages to keep Lourdes a part of our lives.

Lourdes is a very holy place and is held dear by many, especially those who are sick.

Without the help and support of our teams of nurses, doctors, carers, handmaids and brancardiers our sick pilgrims would never get to experience Lourdes.

Please consider seizing this opportunity to try something new and make a real difference to the lives of those who make the journey to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Nurses, doctors and carers

Every year the diocese brings sick pilgrims to Lourdes, a pilgrimage that they cannot make without the support from the wonderful doctors and nurses who come with us. Without your expertise we cannot give as many pilgrims the wonderful experience of Lourdes.

Testimony from our nurses and carers:

"Nursing in Lourdes, in the Accueil is magical!”

"I am pretty much addicted. I love the faith that you feel in Lourdes. I love helping people. I love being in such a special holy place.”

"It is difficult to explain the sheer joy you will experience if you volunteer, however be brave we need people from all different backgrounds and skills and you will feel empowered by what you feel and experience on a pilgrimage which will last a lifetime.”

Nurses and doctors - apply now

Handmaids and brancardiers

Just giving your time to help and give in the simplest way ensures that those who travel on the pilgrimage as an assisted pilgrim can participate fully in the pilgrimage and experience the love of God through the care, love and friendship that they receive.

You don't need any special skills or qualifications and you'll be placed in a working team of like-minded volunteers under the guidance of an experienced team leader on a rota devised by the heads of section.

Testimony from handmaids and brancardiers:

 “It’s definitely a life-changing space not only for adults but also young people when they come. They have some great encounters and it’s a place where people can come back time and time again and have similar connections every single time.”

“I got asked to assist a pilgrim with lighting some candles. This pilgrim had recently lost a couple of loved ones, so we had a beautiful moment of about 15 minutes of quiet prayer with the candles and it was incredible. It was a truly special encounter.”

Handmaids and brancardiers: apply now

Bookings for 2023

The leadership team for the Lourdes Pilgrimage is planning this year’s pilgrimage – please register your interest to attend please contact Kath White, Lourdes Pilgrimage Administrator, on 0121 230 6288 or via email [email protected].

Full travel arrangements for pilgrims – including booking details, flights, accommodation price lists and forms – will be available in the coming months.

For updates on the 2023 pilgrimage you can also sign up to our mailing list:

Lourdes Pilgrimage Mailing List

*A special price for young people joining the Lourdes Pilgrimage has been announced at £585 travelling by coach and staying in the Alba Hotel. This is a subsidised price aimed at encouraging young people to journey with the Diocesan Pilgrimage. To book your youth or school group please email Kath White.

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2023