Izy's Lourdes 2025 Sponsored Walk

Every year, the Westminster Diocese takes a group of sick and/or disabled “assisted pilgrims” to Lourdes. We help them make a spiritual pilgrimage to the Shrine, following the instructions Our Lady gave to St Bernadette during the apparitions of 1858 - to go in procession; to wash in the waters; to pray the rosary. A pilgrimage to Lourdes is an enormously beneficial act of faith for those assisted pilgrims - following in the footsteps of the 71 miracle cures and coming closer to Our Lady. It provides not just a spiritual benefit but, for many, a pastoral one too, through the service and attention of volunteer helpers who enable them to enjoy every aspect of their week, from attending mass, processions and other services to enjoying an ice cream, a game of bingo or an afternoon in a scenic garden overlooking the Pyrenees. It also provides a much-needed respite for their families and carers back home. The pilgrimage relies on volunteer helpers to care for the assisted pilgrims and make it possible for those pilgrims to enjoy the benefits of Lourdes.

Lourdes holds a truly special place in so many hearts, including my own. My first visit on pilgrimage last year was an experience that profoundly shaped me, my perspective on service, and my understanding of what it means to be part of both a living faith and an historical tradition. I feel a deep connection with Lourdes and the countless pilgrims who have made the same journey for over a century to the sacred site of St Bernadette's home and Our Lady's apparitions. Pilgrimage is unique in its ability to connect people across time and space, as I’ve experienced in Lourdes, on the Camino de Santiago, or on pilgrimage to Chartres. Each of these formulate a unique journey, and in Lourdes this involves a spirit of service, healing, and encountering God through others. In July 2024, I was fortunate enough to attend the Westminster Diocese pilgrimage to Lourdes. What makes Lourdes different from other pilgrimage sites is its fundamentally communal nature. While many pilgrimages are focused on personal spiritual journeys, Lourdes is equally about accompanying others, especially the sick and elderly, on their own journey of faith and healing. I therefore feel strongly about returning. I built a particularly meaningful relationship with an assisted pilgrim called Mary, and I have since visited her both in hospital and her care home. The friendships and connections made on pilgrimage do not end when the journey is over; they extend into everyday life, calling us to a deeper commitment of love and service. Returning to Lourdes would allow me to be present for those who need companionship and care, to continue learning from the example of others who have dedicated their lives to faith in action, and to carry these experiences forward into my own life’s mission.

This summer, I will be joining the Westminster Pilgrimage to care for the assisted pilgrims in the Accueil de St Frai. I will be giving a week of my time in service to enable these pilgrims. I will work hard to help those in my care have a truly wonderful week and make a difference to their lives.

As a volunteer, I will be responsible for raising the funds to cover the cost of my service. Travel to Lourdes and accommodation is not cheap and I will need to raise around £1,000 to cover it. As part of this, I will doing a sponsored walk, covering 10 miles from Westminster Cathedral through the parks of London to raise funds on 18th May. If you would like to help enable my work with assisted pilgrims in Lourdes, I would be very grateful for any contribution you can make.