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

Risk Assessments In line with good practice, the Pilgrimage Committee creates Risk Assessments which are used to inform and guide the organisation of the Pilgrimage in relation to the mitigation of risk. The updated Risk Assessments are detailed in the document below.

Helper Information Friday 10th to Friday 17th July 2026 ALL HELPERS All helpers are required to do the following: 1. Complete a helper declaration - click here 2. Tell us what group(s) you want to be in 3. Complete a set of Lourdes-related online 'BLMA' modules 4. Attend a Practical Preparation session NEW HELPERS In addition to the requirements detailed above for all helpers, new helpers are also required to undertake Safeguarding checks: Being a helper in Lourdes is considered to be 'regulated' work. This means that volunteer helpers are required to gain clearances from the Catholic Church. This consists of: Completion of an Archdiocesan Application Form (and provision of 2 references) Completion of a PVG Application Form and a PVG Check 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. New helpers should also read the Risk Assessments and Code of Conduct . EXISTING HELPERS In addition to the requirements listed above for ALL HELPERS, existing helpers may be required to update their Safeguarding checks, if any of them are due for renewal. If this is the case then the Safeguarding Office from the Archdiocese will be in touch. Existing helpers may also only have to do a shorter version of the Lourdes-related online 'BLMA' modules. We will let you know which modules you are required to do. Existing helpers should also remind themselves of the Risk Assessments and Code of Conduct . Summary of Helper Requirements Below are the requirements for helpers, however some of these may already be in place so may not be required. We will advise you further on your own individual requirements once we learn of your intention to be a helper. Church Checks: PVG Check for Vulnerable Adults (updated every 5 years) Archdiocesan Application Form & References (once only) Safeguarding Induction Training Lourdes Pilgrimage Checks: Practical Preparation attended Risk Assessments and Code of Conduct read BLMA online training completed

Lourdes 2026 Pilgrimage Programme Pilgrimage Programme The pilgrimage programme is put together by the Pilgrimage Committee and requests for venues are made to the Lourdes Sanctuary by the Pilgrimage Director. Click on the button below to view the current programme, however be aware that the programme can change at any point up to departure day, so please check back regularly for updates. Some items are still marked "tbc" as they are not finalised yet. Return to Lourdes 2026 Page Pilgrimage Programme

Lourdes 2026 Travel Package 2026 Travel Package Return to Lourdes 2026 Page The Travel package is provided by the Pilgrimage Travel Agent (Tangney Tours) and we will signpost the package from this page when it is available. Return to Lourdes 2026 Page

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

Mairi Allan receives King’s Badge of Honour One of our Lourdes volunteers has received a special honour from King Charles for her exceptional work with the British Red Cross. Mairi Allan was presented with the King’s Badge of Honour at a recent ceremony at Windsor Castle. The King’s Badge of Honour is the British Red Cross’s most prestigious award, and it recognises her decades of service supporting people in crisis. Mairi, a British Red Cross Youth Engagement Leader, is also a long-time helper on the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. She has dedicated 31 years to helping young people, pioneering innovative programmes and securing significant funding and forging partnerships that have transformed youth engagement. Mairi was instrumental in ensuring the British Red Cross achieved the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award in 2022 for its work with young people. She said: “I am really humbled and honoured to receive the King’s Badge of Honour. “I believe passionately in the humanitarian power of young people to make a positive difference to our communities. I see their resilience and readiness to help every day." “I’m grateful to the many colleagues and young people over the years who have shaped British Red Cross work with young people as truly inclusive, dynamic, courageous, and compassionate.” King Charles III, Patron of the British Red Cross, presented awards to Mairi, Gill Moffat, Wendy Solesbury MBE, and Grahame Roberts, recognising their exceptional work supporting people during emergencies" Béatrice Butsana-Sita, Chief Executive Officer of the charity, said: “Congratulations to our staff and volunteers who have received the King’s Badge of Honour. “Mairi exemplifies the values of humanity, impartiality, and voluntary service."

Michael Johnston - RIP 7 August 2022 It is with great sadness that we let you know that Michael died this week after a short illness. He travelled to Lourdes with us for many years since 1981, he was an active Hospitalité member and our Chief Brancardier in the 1990's. Along with his sister, Patricia Edie, they passed on their love of Lourdes to his daughters, Paula & Lisa who have also travelled on Pilgrimage as part of our Youth for Lourdes group pre-pandemic. His funeral mass will take place in Our Lady of Loretto, Musselburgh on 25th August at 10:15am. All welcome. Rest in Peace, Michael 🙏🏻 Requiescat in pace

Acerca de Committee Members Please find below a list of Committee Members and Office Bearers of both Committees The Hospitalité Co mmittee Chaplain: The Very Reverend Monsignor Jeremy Milne VG President: D Bald Vice-President: K Thomas Secretary: L Reid Treasurer: P Barry Committee member: P Shearer Committee member: C Banks Committee member: M Gilhooley Committee member: R Newton Committee member: B Barry Committee member: M Allan Committee member: S Mackenzie Should you wish to contact a member of the Hospitalité committee, please get in touch via the " Contact Us " page. Return to About Us page The Pilgrimage Committee Pilgrimage Director: The Very Reverend Canon James G Tracey Treasurer & Chief Lady Helper: B Barry Chief Doctor: Dr M Bald Chief Nurse: C Banks Chief Brancardier: D Bald Head of Youth & Music: K Thomas Secretary, Helper Data & Safeguarding: S Mackenzie Should you wish to contact a member of the Hospitalité committee, please get in touch via the " Contact Us " page. Return to About Us page

Liam Gillon RIP We were very sad to hear about the passing of Rosemary Gillon's son - Liam. Our prayers are with the whole family. Liam's funeral will be held on Tuesday 27th August 2024 at 12:00 in the Church of St Mary, Star of the Sea, Leith. Thereafter to Mount Vernon Cemetery. Rosemary would like to thank everyone from the Lourdes community for their prayers and support at this very difficult time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for him St Bernadette, pray for him

Acerca de Communications Click on the links below to go to each section: SUBSCRIBE UNSUBSCRIBE PRIVACY COOKIES SUBSCRIBE If you wish to receive any Emails and/or text messages from us then please click here back to top UNSUBSCRIBE If you wish to unsubscribe from Emails then you can click on the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the Email updates. If you wish to unsubscribe from text messages then - click here back to top PRIVACY The Hospitalite and Pilgrimage Committees take your privacy seriously. There are two privacy policies - one for the Hospitalite and one for the Pilgrimage Committee. The Hospitalite is an independent charity with its own Privacy Policy. The Pilgrimage Committee operates under the auspices of the Church and therefore is covered by the Church Privacy Policy. You can view each of the Privacy Policies by clicking on the links below: Hospitalite Pilgrimage Committee back to top COOKIES The "Contact Us" page of our website uses a Cookie called "PHPSESSID". This is a cookie which stores enquiry information so that it can be sent to us. It generally expires when you close your browser. Some of our pages link to an external site (Google Forms) which we use to gather information from helpers and other Pilgrims; these forms do use Cookies and this is fully explained in Google's Privacy Policy - click here to see full information. If you would like to know more about Cookies, the BBC has this helpful guide - click here back to top SUSCRIBE Unsubscribe Privacy Cookies Back to Top

The relics of Saint Bernadette This autumn, the UK will host a visit of the relics of St Bernadette. They will be brought to Scotland from Saturday 24 September to Saturday 1 October; and will be situated in Carfin Grotto which is Scotland's national shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes. A National Pilgrimage will take place on Sunday 25 September, starting at 3pm. Then, each Diocese in Scotland will lead a day of Masses, ceremonies and events. The allocated day for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (along with the Diocese of Aberdeen) is Thursday 29 September . The programme for the day on Thursday 29 September is detailed below. We hope that you will be able to join us in Carfin Shrine for this unique celebration Preparation for the visit In preparation for the visit of the relics to Scotland we invite you to view a few short videos. These are detailed below: You can view the UK trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFRMIvD9AiI Watch this film about the life of St Bernadette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QiJ9nvup_U You can also visit the official UK relics tour website at: https://stbernadette.org.uk Programme for Thursday 29 September