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Summer Lourdes
Assisting the sick and elderly from our communities
Important Events
About Summer Lourdes
In the last week of July, join 125 young people and around 40 young leaders as we travel to Lourdes, in the Pyrenees. Lourdes is the place where Mary appeared to St Bernadette, by the river Gave in 1858. Every year hundreds of thousands of people travel to pray at the shrine, and to bathe in the waters which have been associated with many miraculous healings.
The BCYS Lourdes experience is open to all young people aged 15 to 18. Demand is always very high - bookings open in October, and all the places are usually taken by Christmas! It is a popular trip because it is a wonderful blend of fun time together with friends, prayer and deepening a relationship with Jesus, and serving others.
The typical timetable for the week includes a trip to Gavarnie (a mountain town high in the Pyrenees), an afternoon at Lac Vert, a large open air swimming and boating complex, and plenty of entertainment and music.
Above all, though, we go to help the elderly and ill pilgrims who come from parishes all across Brentwood Diocese. When there are Masses, and other times of prayer, we accompany them and we push wheelchairs when necessary. You will get training for this, and it is a great service, particularly for people who may often struggle to leave their homes for the rest of the year - you help give them many wonderful memories!
Forms for 2008 now available for download:
Download Young Person Application Form »
Download Leader Application Form »
For everyone applying for the 2008 Pilgrimage.
To look at the photo archive from previous trips, please click here.
Some frequently asked questions:
Where do we stay?
We stay in hotels, normally sharing two or three to a room. Each room is ensuite.
Can I share with my friends?
Yes. We will ask who you want to share with and do our best to keep everyone with their friends.
I can't speak French. Does that matter?
Not at all. Virtually all the time you will be with English people, and most of the French in Lourdes speak some English.
How do we travel?
We go by coach and ferry. It is a long journey, but the time passes quickly with chat, music and videos.