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Uniform ALL HELPERS have the option to buy Polo Shirts, Hoodies and Short Sleeved Oxford Shirts. Whilst it is great to have helpers in uniform, please note that it is not mandatory! Garments will have the Pilgrimage Badge, with either YOUTH FOR LOURDES, HELPER TEAM or HEALTHCARE TEAM on them. All garments will be Navy Blue except the HEALTHCARE TEAM Polo Shirts, which are White. Doctors/Nurses will have this printed on the rear of the Polo. The closing Date for orders is Sunday 7th June 2026 and payment must be made before garments are delivered. Uniform will be given out at the Welcome Mass on Sunday 5th July, or for those unable to make the Mass, it will be given out in Lourdes. For information on the types of uniform available and size charts, please click on the infographic below: To place your order, please click on the link below: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/BuzV9GhWAN For more information on the garments and size guides, please click on the link below: Garments and size guides If you have any questions, please contact us and someone will get back to you.

Acerca de About Us The Hospitalité Committee The Hospitalité Committee is a registered Charity and is comprised of volunteers and each committee member is elected on bi-yearly basis. Their role is to keep the spirit of Lourdes alive all year round. Some of their tasks include: Arranging Lourdes Masses and ceremonies in the Archdiocese Arranging social gatherings Allocating any grants or funding that may be available for volunteers Promoting Lourdes through talks and presentations To see a list of committee members and office bearers of the Hospitalité Committee - click here Should you wish to contact a member of the Hospitalité committee, please get in touch via the " Contact Us " page. The Pilgrimage Committee The Pilgrimage Committee is responsible for the practical arrangements relating to the organisation of the Pilgrimage. Some of their duties include: Liaising with the Travel Agent Liaising with the Lourdes Authorities Planning the programme Recruitment, Safeguarding and Preparation of helpers Overseeing the operation of the Pilgrimage and care of assisted pilgrims whilst in Lourdes Continuous improvement and review To see a list of Pilgrimage Committee members - click here Should you wish to contact a member of the Hospitalité committee, please get in touch via the " Contact Us " page.

Acerca de Fundraising The Hospitalité Committee raises funds in order to carry out its aims including promoting the message of Lourdes in the Archdiocese, and providing financial assistance to helpers and sick pilgrims. In order to carry out this work, it is vital that a steady stream of income is maintained. Below are some of the ways that our committee (and associated groups) raise funds. We hope that you will be able to support our work. Make a financial donation You can make a financial contribution to the Lourdes Hospitalité via our JustGiving page which can be found at: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/Helpers-of-Our-Lady-Lourdes Subscriptions & 200-Club We rely upon members subscriptions each year to assist with administration costs, etc. Our ‘Subs’ are minimum donation of £5 per year. You can either pay this directly to Paul Barry at any event, or by Standing Order. Information regarding payment of 200 Club and ‘Subs’ by Standing Order is outlined below. To download a 200-Club form - click here EasyFundraising Make your shopping easy by visiting: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/edinburglourdes . You shop with over 2,000 well-known retailers such as John Lewis, Boots, Tesco, Argos, M&S and many more. When you make a purchase online, the retailer makes a donation to Edinburgh Lourdes Hospitalité Committee. To remind you to use easyfundraising please follow the link... https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/extra-ways-to-raise/ ...which will remind you to use easyfundraising for all of your purchases. Easy Fundraising also has an App which can be downloaded to iPhone or Android phones. It is an easy and way to support us and it doesn’t cost you any more than your normal shopping would! Legacy Giving Leaving a gift to charity keeps your money work towards the causes that are important to you. Would you consider leaving a legacy to the Edinburgh Lourdes Hospitalite? Please contact us if you would like more information. * Helpers of Our Lady of Lourdes (Hospitalite) needs to raise funds for this and for other charitable purposes. Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme, operating as DONATE, a charity registered in England and Wales (1149800) and Scotland (SC045106). In addition to any text donation, you will incur your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates). For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org

Changes to Helper Structures In 2025, we’re making some changes to the structure of our helper teams. These changes are based on feedback from helpers and are designed to better meet the needs of our supported pilgrims. We will be transitioning from our current arrangements to a role-based structure. There will be several new teams, and all helpers will be asked to consider which team they feel they are best suited to. Click on the buttons below to see a description of the duties for each role. Once you've reviewed the information, kindly click the button below to complete a form which lets the organising committee know your helper group preferences: If you have any questions or would like to discuss the options further, please don’t hesitate to contact David Bald at 07816 761922. Transport Team Healthcare Team Saint Frai Team Other Information Submit my Group Preferences Top Transport Team There will be two groups working within the Transport Team. The first group, which will be a larger team will concentrate on transporting supported pilgrims to and from wherever they need to go. This may be to a Mass or ceremony, to a social event, cafe, or shopping. Helpers on this team will work around the pilgrimage programme so the daily shift pattern will vary depending on the programme. The main duty is pushing wheelchairs and pulling voitures (purpose build carriages). This task requires helpers to be able to cope with the physical demands of this work. The second group will be a smaller team and will involve supporting the helpers who are transporting pilgrims by coordinating the movement in and out of the Saint Frai centre. This may involve reserving a lift, or matching up helpers with supported pilgrims in the loading bay. Back to Top Transport Team Healthcare Team The Healthcare Team is comprised of registered doctors, nurses and care assistants and provide care to our supported pilgrims. Back to Top Healthcare Team Saint Frai Team The Saint Frai team supports the work that is done in caring for our supported pilgrims in the Saint Frai Centre The work may involve assisting the medical team with personal care, cleaning of the wards and related areas, or assisting pilgrims in the refectory. Helpers on this team may choose to be involved in one or more of these duties (care, cleaning or refectory) depending on their skills and preferences. The rota structure on this team will likely be more fixed than the Transport Team, for example: Day 1 early to 1pm & 8pm to end of day Day 2 1pm until 8pm Please note that work in the Saint Frai does not restrict people on this team to the Saint Frai itself as they would also take part in the full pilgrimage experience and so may get involved in others tasks - for example assisting pilgrims at Mass, and socialising with pilgrims in cafes and at the excursion. Back to Top Saint Frai Team Other Information Helpers will be asked to stipulate their first and second preference for the team that they would like to be part of. The organising committees will do their best to accommodate all helper preferences but may also need to assign helpers to a different team in order to ensure appropriate care for supported pilgrims. It is envisaged that most young helpers will be involved in the Transport team but it may also be possible for helpers to gain experience in other teams should they wish to do so. It is also important to note that helpers who are part of one team will also be involved in the wider range of general duties - for example, socialising with supported pilgrims, helping at the airport, and giving out water at Mass. Back to Top Other Information

Newsletter - April 2026 To download a copy of the latest newsletter, click on the document below:

Acerca de Mass at the Grotto Click on images to enlarge them Return to Gallery Page

Lourdes 2026 Pastoral Theme Pastoral Theme 2026 "Hail, Full of Grace " Click on the icon below to view a PDF file which gives full details on the 2026 theme. Return to Lourdes 2026 Page THEME-2026.pdf

Acerca de Mass in St Joseph's Chapel Click on images to enlarge them Return to Gallery Page

BLMA Mass & Ceilidh 2024 The British Lourdes Medical Association (BLMA) are holding their annual conference in Edinburgh this year. They would like to invite you to join them at a special Mass at 6pm on Saturday the 2nd of November in St Cuthbert's Church, Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PT. All are welcome to join. Also that evening at 7.30pm there will be a conference Ceilidh with hot buffet at The Braid Hills Hotel. Again fellow Lourdes helpers are welcome to join. Tickets for the Ceilidh are £20 per person. The tickets are available from Scott Johnston. Please contact him on 0796 799 5875. (Tickets are limited so please contact him directly).

Veronica Laidlaw - "Ronnie" - RIP 9 August 2022 It is with deepest sadness that we advise of the death of Ronnie Laidlaw on Tuesday, 9th August. Ronnie travelled to Lourdes as a lady helper with the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage for over 55 years. Ronnie was an integral part of the Lady Helper Team and we have fond memories of the time we spent with Ronnie in Lourdes. You could always find Ronnie at her favourite place behind the counter of the tisanerie in the Saint Frai Centre, managing a smooth and continuous flow of tea, coffee and biscuits to our supported pilgrims, helpers and visitors. In addition to being a helper in Lourdes, Ronnie was also a dedicated member of our Hospitalite Committee and served as Treasurer for many years. Ronnie's devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes was an example to us all. Ronnie will be sadly missed. The funeral will take place on 30th August at 12:00 in St Mark's Church, Oxgangs, Edinburgh then 13:00 at Mortonhall Crematorium. Anyone who knew Ronnie is welcome to come along. Requiescat in pace 1/1

Joe McBride RIP Thew funeral of Joe McBride took place on 4th January 2025 in St Mary's RC Church, Bathgate. As one of our supported pilgrims, Joe will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Joe's family, friends and parishioners. The pilgrimage will not be the same without him. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him; and may he rest in peace. Amen Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for him Saint Bernadette, pray for him Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard but always near still loved, still missed, but very dear

Volunteer Helpers Volunteer helpers are an essential part of the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage. This page details all of the requirements for volunteer helpers. You should read this page if you plan to apply to be a volunteer helper on the Lourdes Pilgrimage - especially if you are a new helper. Helper Recruitment Requirements Below, you will find all the information you need to make sure you have fulfilled all of the required formalities so that you can be a volunteer helper New Helpers New helpers are required to complete the following: PILGRIMAGE CHECKS: 1. Complete a helper declaration (link will appear here when ready) 2. Complete online modules provided by BLMA - will be sent when ready 3. Attend a practical preparation session - details to follow 4. Read the Risk Assessments and Code of Conduct SAFEGUARDING CHECKS: In addition to Pilgrimage checks, new helpers are required to undertake Safeguarding checks because being a helper in Lourdes is considered to be 'regulated' work'. Volunteer helpers are required to gain clearances from the Catholic Church, which consists of: Complete an Archdiocesan Application Form Completion of a PVG Application Form Undertake Safeguarding Training - this can be done online or face-to-face The Safeguarding Office from the Archdiocese will contact new helpers and arrange for these checks to be completed. Existing Helpers Existing helpers are required to complete the following: 1. Update your PVG check every 5 years. The safeguarding office will be in touch if an update is due. 2. Complete a helper declaration (link will appear here when ready) 3. Complete online modules provided by BLMA - will be sent when ready 4. Attend a practical preparation session - details to follow 5. Read the Risk Assessments and Code of Conduct