#CALourdes125
2026 is our 125th birthday in going to Lourdes. Please join from 21 to 28 August 2026, either by coming yourself (and family?) , and/or by helping another who might benefit from a week in Lourdes , and/or by contributing to our fundraising initiative, #CALourdes125 fund and by praying for us and for all those who take the long journey in pilgrimage to Lourdes.
In whichever way, we would love you to be fellow pilgrims in our 125th birthday pilgrimage. Our Lady of Lourdes’ invitation is to all, whatever their health, whatever their wealth. The Catholic Association has for 125 years facilitated pilgrims to accept that invitation. Long may that continue.
- Christopher Page, Chair of Trustees
Can you help us to raise £125,000?
We want the CA Pilgrimage to be here in 2035 and beyond - but we need your support to help us to achieve that. If five hundred friends of the CA gave £5 a month we would raise an incredible £30,000 a year (and more with Gift Aid). This would have a transformational effect for our work.
The easiest way to give to #CALourdes125 is to donate online below.
If you are a UK taxpayer, 25% can be added to the value of your gift at no extra cost to you through Gift Aid. If you haven’t filled in a Gift Aid form, please let us know and we will send this to you.
As ever, benefactors to the fund are remembered by the CA in our prayers and on pilgrimage. Benefactors (unless you have asked for anonymity) and those you have asked us to remember, will also be included on a special prayer board during the 2026 Pilgrimage.
Your generous donation will make a real difference to the work of the CA Pilgrimage. THANK YOU.
Updates
CA Sponsored Walk
We will be walking a total of 125 miles to celebrate #CALourdes125.
It was completed on 9 August 2026.
125 MILES COMPLETED IN CELEBRATION OF 125 YEARS SINCE THE CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION FIRST CAME TO LOURDES ON PILGRIMAGE.
First – thank you to all the supporters of this walk. Our intention was to raise £1,250 but according to the sponsorship page, we are now 151% above the target and very close to £2,000. This is amazing – thank you everyone! All these donations will go towards the #CALourdes125 campaign to bring many others to Lourdes with the CA.
Can you help us to reach £2000? https://www.justgiving.com/page/calourdes125sw
Matt has walked all 125 miles now. From Stonyhurst College in Lancashire, on to Clifton Diocese, then on to Southwark Archdiocese, then on to Portsmouth Diocese to celebrate our CA Annual friends, and then on to Northampton Diocese, before finishing in East Anglia Diocese – with lots of walking throughout. Matt was interviewed yesterday on BBC Three Counties Radio about his experience of walking these 125 miles and his conclusion to them was:” …it has been amazing!”.
After so much walking, you can have mixed feeling about its conclusion: first because it is so enjoyable and you see so much on your walks - as well as meet so many wonderful people along the way. Secondly, it is tiring and your muscles ache a lot and you are ready to get out of the baking sun. It is mainly the first one that wins out, because it has been a fantastic experience and I have seen so much of this beautiful country whilst I walk around. I and all the people that joined me are also very grateful to each and everyone of you for your support in donations and prayers – THANK YOU.
If you want to sponsor us, you can do that here.
