We travel from Leeds Bradford Airport on a Friday. Depending on our time of arrival the rest of the day is free to settle in and relax.
All pilgrims receive a copy of the handbook detailing times and venues for Daily Masses and Services, including the beautiful evening Marion Procession (also known as the Torchlight Procession) and the Blessed Sacrament Procession.
We allow time within our programme for social activities and entertainment.
A Typical Week – days and times may vary
Friday
- Travel day
Saturday
- Morning -Opening Mass
- Afternoon – Pilgrims’ Cafe
- Afternoon – High Stations of the Cross (not suitable for wheelchair users)
- Evening – Marion Procession (21:00 every night)
Sunday
- Morning – International Mass
- Afternoon – Pilgrims’ Café
- Late afternoon – Blessed Sacrament Procession (daily at 17:00)
- Evening – Quiz night
Monday
- Morning – Service of Water
- Morning – Stations of the Cross (suitable for wheelchair users)
- Morning – The Baths
- Afternoon – Mass with Anointing of the sick
- Afternoon – Pilgrimage photo
- Evening – Holy Hour
Tuesday
- Morning – Mass
- Afternoon – Penitential Service
- Afternoon – Pilgrims’ Cafe
- Evening – Marion Procession
Wednesday
- Morning – Grotto Mass
- Morning – Passage through the Grotto
- Afternoon – Garden Party – Hotel Alba, hosted by the youth
Thursday
- Morning – Closing Mass
- Travel day
The International Mass is held every Sunday and Wednesday from 09:30-11:30 in the Basilica St. Pius X (also known as the Underground Basilica). This huge venue can hold up to 25000 pilgrims from around the world and offers a unique opportunity to experience the Universality of the Church.
The Blessed Sacrament Procession takes place daily from the Prairie. It is a pilgrimage of faith in which we walk alongside Jesus and ask for His healing and blessing.
The Marion (or Torchlight) Procession takes place every evening at 21:00. This is a traditional procession with candles, that brings pilgrims together from all over the world to pray the Rosary and sing the Lourdes Ave Maria
The Baths as requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary; pilgrims are invited to:
“Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself there”
Following Covid, the tradition of full immersion in the waters of Lourdes has been replaced by the more simple “Gestes de L’eau”. A beautiful “water gesture” which can be done alone, in a group, as a couple, with family or with friends… in the Church. It is a personal, reflective, and prayerful ceremony and many people return each year to experience this beautiful blessing.
The Stations of the Cross
To follow the Stations of the Cross is to discover, as Bernadette did, how much we are loved by Jesus and to take our burdens to Him in complete trust.
The High Stations, or Chemin de Croix, inaugurated in September 1912, stretches over 1500m and involves difficult climbs and descents. Its 15 stations are interspersed with 115 life-sized beautiful statues.
These Stations are not suitable for wheelchair users.
The Prairie Stations are located on the banks of the River Gave, in a shady setting. The 17 imposing Stations, in Carrara marble, offer a route from Christ’s Passion to His Resurrection.
These Stations are accessible for those with reduced mobility/wheelchairs.
