Core Group

Almost every UK diocese organises a pilgrimage to Lourdes and it is a big logistical operation to get everyone to Lourdes, but also to make sure all arrangements are put in place before we begin to travel. Each year we take about 500 people on pilgrimage to Lourdes. To make this possible, the diocesan bishop appoints a group of people to help organise the pilgrimage, so that every year, we are able to travel to Lourdes.

In our diocese, we refer to this group of people as our “Core Group”, people who go to Lourdes regularly and who lead various parts of the pilgrimage.

It consists of: clergy, medical practitioners, safeguarding coordinators, members of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes and members of Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Hospitalité who have many years experience of pilgrimage to Lourdes.

This group meets regularly throughout the year, to review the previous pilgrimage and then to look forward and plan the next one. It is almost a round the year task, with the exception of a few days break immediately after the pilgrimage, but even then notes are being made about the successes of pilgrimage and ideas and actions to carry forward into forthcoming years.

The Core Group is always willing to listen to pilgrims views about the pilgrimage, because unless we hear what people think about the experience in Lourdes it is difficult to move forward, so if you have been a pilgrim and have any thoughts on the pilgrimage, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Contact details can be found in the ‘Contact Us’ section of the website.