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

Provide information on Lourdes Pilgrimage and Lourdes Activities in Archdiocese edinburgh-lourdes.com Hospitalité and Pilgrimage Committees Organising the Lourdes Pilgrimage and fostering the spirit of Lourdes in the Archdiocese Welcome! This website has been created as your "go-to" place for information on the Archdiocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage and related activities throughout the year. Please use the buttons at the top to navigate the site, or see below for current items of interest. Lourdes 2026 It won't be long until the Pilgrimage Go to our Lourdes 2026 page for more information Lourdes 2026 Helpers Attention 2026 Helpers Go to our Helpers page for information on the Helper Volunteering role Helpers Uniform for Helpers Time to order Helpers who wish to order uniform for Lourdes 2026 should click on the Uniform button below Uniform Newsletter Latest newsletter Download a copy of the newsletter for news, events and other Lourdes-related information Newsletter

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

Canon John McAllister 90 years young! The Committees send warmest congratulations to Fr Mac on the occasion of his 90th Birthday. Fr Mac is one of our longest-serving Lourdes priests and is also an honorary Canon of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Happy Birthday Father.

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

All are invited to take part in our summer pilgrimage at the Carfin Lourdes Grotto on Sunday 18 August. Below is a video invite from Archbishop Cushley... Rosary Procession at 2pm Mass at 3pm Archbishop Cushley will be the principal celebrant at the Mass, and priests are invited to concelebrate at the Mass. Take time to explore everything the Grotto has to offer, including the impressive reliquary chapel, the nativity cave and the first life-sized statue in the UK of Carlos Acutis. There will be wonderful hymns from the Lourdes Music Group. The hall will be open for you to buy teas, coffees, soft drinks and cakes It promises to be an uplifting and prayerful day. The address of the Grotto is: 100 Newarthill Rd, Motherwell ML1 5AL If you have enough interest in your parish, why not consider running a coach or minibus. We are praying for good weather and look forward to seeing you there. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us! invite to Carfin Play Video Carfin 24 Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close Lourdes Day at Carfin Grotto Sunday 18 August 2024

Annual Safeguarding Statement Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Annual Safeguarding Announcement Please find below a message from Archbishop Cushley and Canon James Tracey in relation to the Lourdes Pilgrimage: Safeguarding concerns every one of us It is the responsibility of clergy and lay people to ensure that the church is a safe and welcoming place for everyone and to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected. Pope Francis has asked that families are made aware that they have a right to expect to be safe and secure in “our Father’s house”. The Bishops of Scotland are committed to ensuring this. Safeguarding in the Catholic Church means doing everything we can to protect our children and vulnerable adults. Firstly, we have a safe system of recruitment for clergy, religious, employees and all our volunteers. This includes PVG checks, references and safeguarding training. Secondly, we have a reporting system so people can come forward with any concerns, be listened to and have those concerns acted upon. Safeguarding also includes care and support for survivors. In this Archdiocese, we have a dedicated safeguarding team. This includes Monsignor Allan Chambers, the Vicar General for Safeguarding, Scott Mackenzie, our Safeguarding Advisor, as well as a Safeguarding Officer and Administrator. The Safeguarding team is based at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh and can be contacted by e-mail or phone to advise on any safeguarding matter. You can find details on the Safeguarding page of the Archdiocesan website. Every parish and group has trained safeguarding co-ordinators. Alongside the Parish Priest/Group Director, they ensure the safe recruitment of volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults in the church. Please contact us if you have any concerns about a safeguarding matter: enquiries@edinburgh-lourdes.com . We do an annual safeguarding audit to assess the safeguarding work being done in. The Church in Scotland has a mandatory reporting policy. This means that if an allegation of abuse is received it is immediately reported to the police. It is imperative that any abuse, historic or otherwise, will be met with a listening ear, and action taken to restore people’s trust in our Church and our clergy and religious. Archbishop Leo Cushley, Canon Tracey, and the Safeguarding Team are grateful for all the hard work done by safeguarding co-ordinators and volunteers in every parish and group across the Archdiocese in keeping the Church a welcoming and safe place for all. Thank-you.

Lourdes 2026 Questions Lourdes 2026 Welcome to the 2026 Information Page This page will be your "go to" place for information on the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2026. Please check back regularly and we will add content and news when it is available. Please select an item to view Pastoral Theme 2026 Pilgrimage Programme Travel Package Helper Information Questions

Lourdes Pilgrimage Edinburgh - Preparation Day 2024 Preparation Day 2024 Details for the Preparation Day 2024 Date Sunday 9th June 2024 Location St Augustine's RC High School 208 Broomhouse Road Edinburgh EH12 9AD Registration Time 10.00. For first time helpers 10.45. For existing helpers Programme 10.00. Registration for New Helpers 10.15. A typical day in Lourdes (new helpers) 10.45 Registration for existing helpers 11.00 Introductions for all helpers 11.15 Workshop groups - 2 rotations 12.15. Lunch 13.00. Workshop Groups - 2 rotations 14.00. General Induction points 14.15. Looking after Yourself 14.30. Helper Groups (Ladies, Men & Medical) 15.00. Mass (Canon James Tracey) 15.30. Closing comments, thanks & questions Workshop Groups The workshop group rotations at 11.15 and 13.00 are: Communication Infection Control Moving & Handling Caring for people in Lourdes Helpers will be allocated to groups Catering Please bring your own lunch. Light refreshments (tea, coffee, squash and biscuits) will be provided. What to wear Dress code is casual. Please dress comfortably for the day. Some activities will be outside, so please also consider the weather on the day. Attendance Attendance at the Preparation Day is mandatory for helpers. Attendance for registered nurses and doctors is not mandatory but is encouraged. If you are unable to attend, please email us at enquiries@edinburgh-lourdes.com or get in touch via the contacts page . Questions If you have any questions please email us at enquiries@edinburgh-lourdes.com or get in touch via the contacts page .

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.

News Items Mairi Allan - award Click here Bernadette Barry - Papal Medal Click here Joe McBride RIP Click here Christine Newton RIP Click here Liverpool Archdiocese declares Lourdes miracle Click here British Lourdes Medical Association Mass & Ceilidh Click here Liam Gillon - RIP Click here Carfin Pilgrimage 2024 Click here Pilgrimage Package for 2024 now available Click here Mansfield School of Music Christmas Concert Click here Lourdes 2024 Click here Helpers 2024 Click here Quiz Night 2023 Click here In dependent Travellers Click here F r Mac - RIP & Funeral arrangements Click here Cheese & Wine - Social Evening Click her e November 2022 Newsletter Click here Youth for Lourdes Testimony Click here Lady Helper Testimony Click here St Bernadette's relics visit the UK Click here Veronica (Ronnie) Laidlaw, RIP Click here Michael Johnston, RIP Click here AGM 2022 - President's Video Report Click here Help for Ukraine Click here Easter 2022 Newsletter Click here Time for Pilgrims to express an interest in the 2022 Pilgrimage Click here Annual Safeguarding Statement Click here February Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes Click here Lourdes Pilgrimage 2022 Click here Canon McAllister at 90 Click here Join our mailing list Click here

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