Pilgrims from across the Catholic Association’s partner dioceses are gathering in Lourdes this week for a very special pilgrimage marking 125 years of the Catholic Association’s pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Taking place from Friday 21 to Friday 28 August 2026, this year’s pilgrimage brings together pilgrims from the Dioceses of Clifton, East Anglia and Northampton, together with the Archdiocese of Southwark. Among them are helpers, assisted pilgrims and young helpers from the Diocese of Northampton.
The pilgrimage began on Friday, as pilgrims travelled by plane and train to Lourdes before settling into their different hotels. Although staying in different locations, pilgrims come together throughout the week for Mass, liturgies, times of prayer and a programme of social events creating a strong sense of community across the four dioceses.
A highlight of the pilgrimage was the International Mass on Sunday 23 August, celebrated in the Basilica of St Pius X at the heart of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The vast underground basilica, which can accommodate around 25,000 people for major celebrations, provided a striking setting for pilgrims from around the world to gather in prayer. Its distinctive curved concrete roof, resembling an upturned boat, creates an immense open space while ensuring that pilgrims have an uninterrupted view of the altar.
The following day offered pilgrims an opportunity to experience something of the beauty of the Pyrenees. After celebrating Mass in their individual diocesan groups, many travelled into the mountains for a day out, including visits to the spectacular village of Gavarnie. Others chose to remain in Lourdes, taking time to rest, pray and enjoy the sanctuary at a quieter pace.
At the heart of the pilgrimage was a special 125th anniversary celebration Mass at the Cité Saint-Pierre (City of the Poor), commemorating the founding of the Catholic Association and its long history of bringing pilgrims to Lourdes.
The celebration also included the Anointing of the Sick, one of the most significant moments of any Lourdes pilgrimage. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a powerful expression of the Church’s care for those who are ill or experiencing frailty, and reflects Lourdes’ particular place as a sanctuary of hope, healing and prayer.
For 125 years, the Catholic Association has enabled generations of pilgrims to make the journey to Lourdes, where the message of Our Lady first proclaimed to St Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 continues to draw people from across the world.
For assisted pilgrims in particular, the presence of dedicated helpers makes the pilgrimage possible, while young helpers bring energy and enthusiasm to the shared life of the pilgrimage. Together, pilgrims of all ages and circumstances form one community, accompanying one another in prayer and discovering anew the joy of faith.
As the pilgrimage continues until Friday 28 August, pilgrims from Northampton Diocese will join with thousands of others in the Sanctuary to pray before the Grotto, celebrate the Sacraments and entrust their hopes, joys and struggles to Our Lady.
This anniversary pilgrimage is not simply a celebration of the past. It is also an opportunity to look towards the future, giving thanks for the generations who have travelled to Lourdes before and praying that many more will discover the transforming power of pilgrimage, community and encounter with Christ.
