More than 300 pilgrims are preparing to travel to Lourdes for the Ampleforth Lourdes Pilgrimage, which will take place in the Marian shrine from 10-17 July.
The Ampleforth Pilgrimage was founded by Fr Martin Haigh and Cardinal Basil Hume, monks of Ampleforth Abbey, in 1953 to answer Our Lady's call to give service to those who need extra care in Lourdes. Since then, generations of Ampleforth monks, students, friends and families have travelled on Pilgrimage to join together in penitence, prayer and procession in Lourdes as Our Lady, through St Bernadette, asked us to do.
The sanctuary of Lourdes has set out a thematic three-year spiritual journey focussed on the life of the Virgin Mary.
The official Lourdes pilgrimage theme for 2026 is “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke 1:28). These words, taken from the Annunciation story in the Gospel of Luke, indicate 2026 as the year of welcome, of listening and of Mary’s response to God’s call: ‘Yes’.
In 2027 the focus will be on the Visitation: “In those days Mary set out and went with haste…” (Luke 1:39), with its focus on service, joyful charity and reaching out to others.
The Magnificat provides the focus for 2028: “His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50) – a year of praise and of gratitude.
Let us join the Ampleforth Lourdes Pilgrimage by reciting the Hospitalité Prayer said in Lourdes each day by the pilgrims:
Holy Mary, merciful and compassionate mother of God, in whom the light of Christ is reflected,
I thank you for appearing in the darkness of the grotto, bringing healing and comfort to all who suffer.
I beg you to allow me to assist you in your work,
so that aided by your prayer, and strengthened by Christ's power,
I may dedicate myself wholeheartedly to the service of others,
seeking out the will of God in all things,
and striving to establish His kingdom of peace and justice in the Church and in the world.
Our Lady of Lourdes: Pray for us
St Bernadette: Pray for us
St Benedict: Pray for us
St Laurence: Pray for us
