Salford Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage
Without our amazing volunteers we would not have a pilgrimage. Do something amazing this Summer - volunteer with us.
Without our amazing volunteers we would not have a pilgrimage. Do something amazing this Summer - volunteer with us.
VOLUNTEER WITH US
Without our amazing volunteers we would not have a pilgrimage. Do something amazing this Summer - volunteer with us.
'As a first timer to Lourdes I have been extremely impressed by the kindness, willingness, courtesy and thoughtfulness of every one of you I have had contact with. Infectious enthusiasm is your hallmark!' - from a grateful pilgrim.
Volunteer applications for our 2026 pilgrimage are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who has applied to be 'the helping hand' for our pilgrims this year.
Since 1924 the people of the Diocese of Salford have answered Our Lady's call to 'come here in procession' to Lourdes. This Summer we will make our joyful return to Lourdes for our 92nd diocesan pilgrimage.
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Approximately 25 of our sick or 'acceuil' pilgrims require medical assistance and many other pilgrims, whilst self caring, require help to get around the sanctuaries and town by use of a wheelchair due to mobility issues.
The lay volunteers that travel with the Salford pilgrimage work alongside the nursing and medical team to provide care and support for our assisted pilgrims, to ensure they can fully participate in the pilgrimage programme and experience the love of God through the care they receive. They embody the motto on the t-shirts that they wear - 'the helping hand'.
We invite you to do something amazing in 2027 and join us as a volunteer. You will receive all the training you require to equip you to carry out your duties. If you've wondered about volunteering with us in the past, there's no time like the present, this is the year to go for it as we really need your support - you won't regret it.
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You'll will be placed in a team and will work alongside other like minded volunteers, under the guidance of an experienced team leader on a rota devised by the co-ordinator for volunteers.
For many the experience of volunteering is life changing. Spending time with the pilgrims and enabling them to feel a part of the Salford family is both fulfilling and rewarding and the reason why many come back year after year. We hope that you'll join us in Lourdes, we promise it will be an experience that you'll never forget.
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Our volunteer applications for 2026 are now closed. Applications for 2027 will be open in December. Thank you.
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Please watch the videos on this page or visit us on social media (search 'Salford Lourdes'), for a taster of what volunteering with us is all about.
CELEBRATING OUR PAST,
PLANNING OUR FUTURE
Our pilgrimage coordination team is made up of dedicated volunteers who give their time generously to organise a safe, enjoyable and inclusive pilgrimage experience for all who travel with us to Lourdes each year. Each member of the co-ordination team is appointed by the pilgrimage director and many of the team have been looking after their areas of responsibility for a number of years. In order for us to continue to build on our past successes and to forge new ideas and improvements for the future, we invite you to consider if you may like to volunteer your time and expertise to the pilgrimage by joining the co-ordination team. If interested please speak to Fr Gerard during the pilgrimage week or contact the pilgrimage office on 0161 817 2209. Thank you.