Lourdes Volunteer Service Pilgrimage
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Our Lady of Lourdes is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary recalling her apparitions in 1858 in the grotto at Lourdes, France to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a fourteen-year-old peasant girl. Our Lady instructed Bernadette to dig in the ground nearby, from which came a spring with healing properties, active to this day. After a thorough investigation, the apparitions were approved for devotion by the Catholic Church in 1862. A shrine was built there, which remains a popular place of pilgrimage.
St. Michael the Archangel Youth Ministry has the opportunity to take a group of 10 people (8 teens & 2 chaperones) on a Volunteer Service Pilgrimage trip to Lourdes, France to help serve pilgrims journeying to Lourdes in search of healing in the waters. This is a beautiful way to experience both a pilgrimage to a holy place and a mission trip of serving souls in need.
Lourdes is a holy place. A place where miracles happen in an atmosphere of prayer. Oftentimes, pilgrims find that as they go volunteer to help bring healing to people in the baths, they discover the Lord had healing in store for them, too.
Bernadette said she felt a mysterious pull to go to the Grotto. If you are feeling an “inexplicable pull” to go to Lourdes, surely Our Lady has placed this most beautiful desire in your heart.
WHO: The application is open to all current sophomores, juniors, & seniors in high school.
WHEN: June 13-23, 2025
COST: The total cost for each person on the trip will be ~$4,000. We ask that each teen pays $2,000 & the remaining $2,000 we will fundraise (specific fundraiser(s) TBD).
APPLICATION PROCESS: The application process will include this written application, an in-person interview, & a panel to review & discern who the spots will go to.
PILGRIMAGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Daily Mass, Grotto Mass, and International Mass
Candlelight Rosary and Eucharistic Processions
Opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Visit to the Piscines (Baths)
Tours of the Sanctuary and town of Lourdes
Form life-long friendships as you grow in faith in service to Our Lady and her pilgrims
SMA TRIP TIMELINE:
October 20, 2024: Applications Due
November 3, 2024: Final Selections Made
November 10, 2024: $1000 Deposit Due to SMA
January 12, 2025: Final Payment ($1000) Due, can be made in installments until Jan. 12
June 13-23, 2025: Lourdes Volunteer Service Pilgrimage Trip
As we continue to gather more information we will share that. Feel free to reach out to Nick Johnson, Allison Bednar, or Dominic Susanka with any questions. For now, we are so excited to continue preparing for this incredible opportunity!
