Launching the CA Pilgrimage 2026

CA Lourdes 125: All are Welcome!


Happy Feast Day! 11th February: Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick.


To mark this day, we are very happy to announce that we are launching registrations for The Catholic Association Pilgrimage 2026: Friday 21st to Friday 28th August 2026!


This year is a special year, we are celebrating 125 years since the first CA pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1901.


[JOIN NOW]


Our impact

We are a charity which runs an annual medically supported pilgrimage to Lourdes, making it possible for people regardless of Health or Wealth.


Last year we:

  • Supported 70 Assisted Pilgrims 

  • Reintroduced the Jumbulance to bring people with the highest dependency

  • Subsidised over 100 people to join the pilgrimage


Lourdes Theme 2026

[https://www.lourdes-france.com/en/theme-pastoral/] 

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you”

This is the year of the welcome, of listening and of the ‘yes’ that changed everything.


Why not say ‘yes’ to being part of the CA Pilgrimage?

This community we form together in the space of a week can be a home where all are welcome


Assisted Pilgrims (APs)

Our Mission is to make the pilgrimage possible for You.


In the Accueil Saint-Frai, our volunteers (including healthcare professionals) will be providing round the clock care. To join, please fill out the registration form, our clinical team will then be in touch with you to assess how we can best support you, and about travel.


Accueil Price is subsidised: £1,046.00 £850.00

Inclusive of travel and full board for the full week of the pilgrimage.


For those who are more independent, but needing a bit of assistance with mobility, CA helpers with wheelchairs are available from hotels.


We will be using the Jumbulance again, leaving on Thursday 20th, returning on Friday 28th August 2026.


Our Mission is to make the pilgrimage possible for you.


Young Helpers (16-25)

This group is for young volunteers aged 16 to 25. It is a chance to meet fellow young people from around the country to share in a unique volunteering opportunity.


This group is subsidised: £1,076.00 £600.00

Inclusive of travel and full board for the full week of the pilgrimage.


This year we are developing CA Discovery, a programme for 16 to 18 year olds and young people to explore the various parts of pilgrimage and Lourdes.


Glanfield Children’s Group

Our Children’s group takes sick, disabled and disadvantaged children for a life-changing experience of fun, faith and friendship.

To find out more and how to join this group, contact Chantal and the leadership team at: glanfield@catholicassociation.co.uk 


Volunteer Helpers

We welcome volunteers of ALL ages to assist with care, rolling, logistics, chaplaincy, music, and more. The most important part of the role being accompanying, communicating with, and sharing the experience with Assisted Pilgrims.


Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals, such as Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, HCAs and healthcare students are all welcome! It is a unique clinical experience to deliver truly holistic care over the course of one week.


For any healthcare students we are looking to offer tailored elective placements exploring holistic care and an introduction to care for people through travel.


How to Join:

  1. Fill out the CA Registration form: https://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/join 

  2. Then book your travel:

    1. To book your travel with our Tour Operator Tangney Tours please see their website here: http://www.tangney-tours.com/ca

      1. We are also celebrating 50 years with Tangney Tours!

    2. NOTE: Young Helpers Group and Accueil Pilgrims - please do NOT book travel yet! Your respective leaders will be in contact with you about the next steps.

  3. Please donate to help us continue our mission: https://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/donate 

  4. Bring a friend! Send this to them. They are Welcome!


Questions:


For more information about the pilgrimage please see our website: 

Catholic Association — Our work in Lourdes 


FAQ: https://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/faq 


We will be hosting an Ask Anything with our heads of service on 21st March 2026.


So

‘All are Welcome’ means: You are Welcome


The CA Lourdes Pilgrimage which started in 1901 became the forerunner of many thriving British pilgrimages to that special place. The pilgrimage has been stopped only by world wars and pandemics.

In the last of those interruptions our invitation to the virtual pilgrimage of 2020 and 2021 was to ‘Be Part of the Miracle’.

Now, there are many ways to Be Part of the Pilgrimage.

Perhaps, you will have the opportunity to discover the Heart of the Pilgrimage.

 
 
 
 
 
CA Admin