The Relationship between the HNDL and Pilgrimage Hospitalités

Each major pilgrimage that comes to Lourdes with assisted pilgrims (i.e. sick and handicapped pilgrims) - whether it be the Catholic Association or a group from elsewhere – has its own 'hospitalité,’ that is, a group of people committed to looking after its pilgrims. These hospitalités usually consist of brancardiers (male helpers), hand-maids (female helpers), doctors, nurses, chaplains, youth/children’s groups etc. These smaller pilgrimage hospitalités – approximately 200 of them in total from around the world – are known as ‘accompanying hospitalités’ because they accompany the assisted pilgrims on their journey and they work in close collaboration with the HNDL.

The Catholic Association has its own Hospitalité, which some of you will already be members of. You don't have to be a member of the CA Hospitalité to come on stage, but conventionally it has been thought best to go on at least one ‘mainstream’ pilgrimage first so you learn something about Lourdes in a more ‘familiar’ environment. Those who have worked for the Hospitalité Notre-Dame de Lourdes on stage are often considered particularly useful on the main pilgrimage because they have a greater knowledge of how Lourdes functions 'from the other side,' and how our pilgrimage fits into the ‘larger picture.’ For example, some of the CA Hospitalite Council will be members of the HNDL.

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