Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

The Oblate Lourdes Pilgrimage 17-22 September 2023

Why Lourdes?

LOURDES for many is a place of encounter, healing and peace. Every pilgrim finds something different and everyone returns home with their own story about their visit to Lourdes.

The grotto is more than just a place where something extra-ordinary happened; more importantly it is the place where God comes to meet us, heart to heart. Lourdes is place where we hear a message that we are loved, healed and forgiven. In coming to Lourdes, we follow in the footsteps of many thousands of pilgrims from all over the world who have come here before us, carrying with them – as we do – their hopes, burdens and dreams.

Assisted Pilgrims

Our Assisted Pilgrims are those who require a special level of care and they stay in the Accueil Notre Dame. Designed in the form of open arms the Accueil Notre Dame reminds us that, in Lourdes, everyone is welcome and cared for.

During the pilgrimage the Accueil is staffed by a committed medical team and other volunteers who work together to help our assisted pilgrims to fully take part in all aspects of the pilgrimage.

The Oblates and Lourdes

The Missionary Oblates were the first group to organise pilgrimages to Lourdes from Britain and Ireland and have been organising pilgrimages to Lourdes since 1883. Every year pilgrims join us from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and the Channel Islands. This year, for Lourdes 2023, we celebrate a very special anniversary of the pilgrimage – 140 years!

Saint Bernadette

About Lourdes

In 1858, a young girl from a small rural village in the foothills of the Pyrenées Mountains witnessed something amazing – while gathering firewood near the local rubbsh heap, Bernadette Soubirous saw a vision of Mary, Mother of God at the Grotto (Cave) of Massabielle.
Between February 11 and July 16, 1858, Bernadette spoke with Mary eighteen times.
Mary asked that the people come in procession to pray and to bathe in the waters of Lourdes – now every year, millions of pilgrims from all around the world visit Lourdes.

The Story of Lourdes >

 

 

The pilgrimage will include:

  • Mass at the Grotto/Grotto tour
  • Torchlight Procession
  • Blessed Sacrament Procession
  • Stations of the Cross
  • Visit to the baths
  • Mass of Anointing of the Sick
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation

As a pilgrimage, we will also have daily Mass, and plenty of opportunity for relaxing, renewing old friendships and shopping. There will also be plenty of time to make your own pilgrimage – whether you want to light a candle, spend some quiet time in prayer at the Grotto, or walk in the footsteps of the child Bernadette.

In coming to Lourdes, we follow in the footsteps of many thousands of pilgrims from all over the world who have come here before us, carrying with them – as we do – their hopes, burdens and dreams.

For more information about booking and on our range of pilgrimage packages, please visit our Pilgrimage Website:

Or download the Brochure (Ireland) by clicking here

For more information, please contact Fr Lorcan O’Reilly OMI: lourdes@oblates.ie

 


Videos:

What Lourdes means to me:

The Oblate Lourdes Pilgrimage Video

Come to Lourdes as a Volunteer

Come to Lourdes as a Pilgrim

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