Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026Monday 25 to Saturday 30 May 2026 The annual Diocesan pilgrimage returns to Lourdes under the leadership of His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David Evans. The theme for 2026 is "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." Please pray for all those considering joining this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes, as they will be praying for you. For emails with news and updates on this pilgrimage as well as future pilgrimages, please sign up to our Lourdes mailing list: Lourdes Pilgrimage Mailing List Please contact with any queries: Kath White, Pilgrimage Organising Secretary: 0121 230 6288 (office hours 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday) or via email [email protected] Photography in Lourdes The Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage is a very public event attended by hundreds of people. It is likely you will appear in some photographs. We ask all pilgrims and volunteers to familiarise themselves with our Photography Guidance documents: Lourdes 2026 - Photography Guidance Lourdes 2026 - Photography Notice Lourdes App Pilgrims are invited to make use of the Lourdes App (pictured right) on their mobile phones during this year's diocesan pilgrimage. The daily programme will be available from the first day of the pilgrimage, Monday 25 May. Instructions on how to access the Lourdes App Our pilgrimage code is BIRMINGHAM-26 Welcome to Lourdes 2026! His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley, shares a welcome message to pilgrims and those following back home. Why Lourdes? In a series of six short videos pilgrims share their experiences of why they made the journey to Lourdes in 2023. From school students to carers, nurses and doctors, all of our volunteers play a crucial role in delivering a successful pilgrimage. Could you be one this year? Video Six, Geraldine, Pauline and Elizabeth: It's a family affair as three sisters from the same family took on the role of hospitaliers/helpers last year (they have in fact been assisting in Lourdes for decades!). The trio were part of a family party of 12 in Lourdes in 2023 and definitely have the 'Lourdes bug'! Meet Geraldine, Pauline and Elizabeth who are drawn to Lourdes each year due to their devotion to Our Lady. Video Five, Dr Devan, Dr Charlie, Nurse Loretta: Doctors Devan and Charlie, and Nurse Lorretta, talk about their roles as part of last year's Medical Team in Lourdes. Video Four, Shelagh, Emily and Stephanie: Shelagh, Emily and Stephanie talk about their roles as Carers whilst in Lourdes. Doctors, nurses and carers volunteer their time – along with young people from across our schools – to look after the assisted pilgrims (those who may require support with their personal or medical care or transit around during the pilgrimage) attending Lourdes. Video Three, Kevin and Jane Goodyear: Husband and wife Kevin and Jane Goodyear talk about their years of service at the Lourdes Pilgrimage. During the 2023 Pilgrimage they each received the Benemerenti medal for their service to the Catholic Church. The couple, from Our Lady of the Angels parish, Nuneaton, encourage everyone who has the opportunity to go to Lourdes to take it. Video Two, St Joseph's College Trent Vale: Some of our young people and a member of staff from St Joseph's College, Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, share their experiences of taking on the role of a hospitalier (helper). Video One, schools and students in Lourdes: Three of our Diocesan schools are represented in this video as students and a teacher share their experience of Lourdes. Watch! Archbishop Bernard welcomes pilgrims at the beginning of the 2023 pilgrimage Manage Cookie Preferences