Leaders at Lourdes

Our main role is to support the family groups, who are bringing sick relatives with them to ensure all pilgrims especially the children and young adults have a wonderful experience.

We are the welcoming party at the airport and greet the family groups with our now famous and much loved blue hands. This is a highlight for many and the excitement and laughter on the children faces is always heart-warming.

Once all the groups arrive in Lourdes, we meet the different groups we will be helping; from this moment many friendships are formed. We spend the next few days attending masses, visiting the grotto, helping out at Hosanna House (the centre for receiving families) and attending the Trust Mass in an underground basilica .

The group also has the opportunity to take part in the torchlight procession which is a very special moment for us all. During the week we also have many opportunities to visit the grotto and on one of these visits a candle was lit and prayers said for all members of the NBS community.

Every member gives 100 % to the groups they are in, and it is such a credit to the students that they receive such positive feedback from the groups that they help.

This is a life-changing week for many and positively impacts the lives of our young people going forward. Lourdes is a very special place of prayer and love and it is very rare that someone visits once and doesn’t return in the future.

Once again, Mr Linnane will be taking a group of students on this year’s pilgrimage in April 2025. We are planning some fundraising activities to allow our students to support HCPT on this pilgrimage leading up to the event so will keep all students and parents updated.