One of the most distinctive features of Lourdes is the way in which nations, not just individuals, come on pilgrimage. Every year, dozens of countries organise official national or diocesan pilgrimages — structured gatherings of hundreds or thousands of pilgrims travelling under the pastoral leadership of their bishops, priests and Hospitalité volunteers. These national pilgrimages give Lourdes much of its international character, and they create an experience of the universal Church that is difficult to find anywhere else. Understanding how national pilgrimages work, and when the major ones arrive, is essential for any pilgrim or group organiser.

What a National Pilgrimage Is

A national pilgrimage is an organised gathering of pilgrims from a particular country, brought to Lourdes under the authority of that country's bishops or national Catholic bodies. The French national pilgrimage (Pèlerinage National Français) is the oldest and largest, typically bringing several thousand pilgrims in late April or early May. National pilgrimages include their own chaplains, medical teams, Hospitalité volunteers (trained brancardiers and handmaids), and a structured programme of Masses, ceremonies and pastoral activities specifically organised for their community. They are not tour groups; they are expressions of a national Church coming together in pilgrimage at the world's foremost Marian shrine.

The Major National Pilgrimages

The French national pilgrimage typically runs in late April and is among the first major gatherings of the season. The Italian diocesan pilgrimages are numerous throughout the summer but converge most significantly in early September, when many Italian groups arrive simultaneously. The Irish national and diocesan pilgrimages run through June, July and August, with diocesan groups (Armagh, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Tuam) each bringing their own community. The Polish national pilgrimage is one of the largest in the Sanctuary and typically runs in late July or August. The British National Pilgrimage, organised by the Catholic Association, is traditionally held in late July and brings hundreds of sick pilgrims alongside their carers and chaplains.

HCPT and Specialist Sick Pilgrimages

Among the most moving of the national pilgrimages are those specifically organised for sick and disabled pilgrims. The HCPT (Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust) brings children with disabilities from the UK and Ireland each Easter, creating some of the most joyful pilgrimages in the Sanctuary's calendar. Various national groups for the sick and elderly (including Across, the international Catholic transport organisation) coordinate specialist travel with appropriate medical support. These pilgrimages often operate with dedicated Hospitalité support and priority access to the Baths, reflecting the Sanctuary's understanding that the sick are not a logistical category to be managed but the theological reason for Lourdes's existence.

The International Eucharistic Procession

Each afternoon at the Sanctuary, the Eucharistic Procession and Blessing of the Sick gathers pilgrims from all the national groups present on that day. This procession is not organised nationally but internationally: pilgrims from France, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil, South Korea and many other nations walk together behind the Blessed Sacrament, each national group identifiable by their banners and sometimes their distinctive dress. It is one of the most powerful visual expressions of the universal Church in the world: a river of nations united in the same prayer and behind the same monstrance, on the same Esplanade, in the same direction.

When National Pilgrimages Peak

The national pilgrimage season runs from late April to mid-September, with the largest concentrations in June, July and August. May is relatively quiet despite the full liturgical programme operating. October sees the final national groups of the year, with some smaller national pilgrimages from Eastern Europe extending the season into early November. For groups wanting to experience the maximum international atmosphere, July and August are unmatched. For groups who want the national pilgrimage atmosphere with more manageable crowds, June and early September offer an excellent balance.

How to Find Your Country's Pilgrimage

National pilgrimages are typically organised by the national bishops' conference or by a dedicated national Lourdes organisation. In Ireland, the Irish Catholic Pilgrimage Office coordinates national and diocesan pilgrimages. In the UK, the Lourdes Committee and various diocesan pilgrimage offices manage bookings. In the USA, individual dioceses often organise annual Lourdes pilgrimages. The Sanctuary's own website (lourdes-france.org) publishes the annual calendar of major national pilgrimages as they are confirmed. Our team can also advise on when your country's pilgrimage runs and how to join or coordinate with it if you prefer to travel as an independent group alongside a national gathering.