The Pilgrimage Trust Visit to Lourdes

Earlier this year, Eamonn Lynch, contract manager with VINCI Facilities, took a group of twenty seven on pilgrimage to Lourdes in Southern France as part of HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust. They were among nearly 5000 people, including over 1600 children. Started in 1956 by a young doctor who took four children with disabilities to Lourdes, The Trust now organises a Pilgrimage holiday for children with various disabilities or social and emotional needs.

The children, with their helpers, travel in small family groups from all over the UK and Ireland as well as from Croatia, Romania, Slovakia, USA and the West Indies. This year Eamonn and a group of volunteers took nine children and two young adults in their group of twenty seven which also included a group leader, a nurse and a priest.

The children are made welcome in hotels and come from all walks of life and may belong to any religious background or none at all. They are given constant care and attention for one week and, as well as providing a safe, exciting and enjoyable holiday they’ll never forget, it also provides a welcome respite for their parents, brothers or sisters or carers back home.

Eamonn said:

“During the week, we spent a day up in the Pyrenees mountains where the children were able to take donkey rides and went to Saint-Jean-de-Luz - a seaside resort on the Atlantic coast. We also spent other days at local attractions as well as visiting many cafes, where singing competitions and other games took place against other groups allowing the children to mix and make new friends.

On the Thursday, we all attended the Trust Mass where everyone connected with The Trust gets together under one roof. Each group has its own colours and the scene is more akin to a pop concert!”.

Published: 17/06/2011