Enquiries: 01293 651147
DIOCESE OF ARUNDEL & BRIGHTON LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
29 July - 4 August 2022 by Air
28 July - 5 August 2022 by Redshirt Coach / Jumbulance / Helper Coach
2022 Online Application Form - for Helpers, Clinicians and Chaplains only.
Assisted Pilgrims applications are now closed as these places have been filled. Please do not complete this online application.
All other categories of applicant are now closed.
Please note that applicants living within the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton will be given priority.
Please now read the following guidance notes, so that you enter the correct information when asked.
Please complete this Application Form for each individual pilgrim. Please note, your application will not be processed unless you confirm, when asked on the application form, that you have read and agreed to the Statement of Commitment and Code of Conduct that is applicable to everyone on the pilgrimage and can be accessed by clicking here.
Any amendment or cancellation of this booking must be in writing to A&B Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, c/o Cathedral House, Parsons Hill, ARUNDEL. BN18 9AY or by email - click here
COVID-19 entry requirements for France*
To enter France and visit Lourdes, Adults, or children over 12 years old must:
- be fully vaccinated
- complete a sworn declaration that they have not been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to their crossing
Currently If you are not vaccinated, you must give a compelling reason to be allowed to enter Metropolitan France, unfortunately going on Pilgrimage does not qualify.
The pilgrimage office and our transport providers are monitoring any updates to this, and we will provide the most up to date information including how to complete any tests with your final travel documents.
If you are travelling with a printed PDF proof of vaccination status, it must be valid for the dates of travel. Your NHS appointment card from the vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
To assist us in processing your application and to confirm you are eligible to travel we require you to send to us a copy of your vaccination record after you have completed your application. This can be emailed or posted to you from either of the following which you can then send onto us:
- the PDF copy of your NHS Covid Pass downloaded from the NHS app
- the Covid Status Letter from the NHS. This can be requested by www.covid-status-letter.service.nhs.uk
Please note that it is also necessary to show a current Covid Pass when entering hotels/cafes in France. If you are unsure or require any assistance in accessing this information please contact us at the Pilgrimage Office.
*Correct at time of writing.
Further information can be found at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements
APPLICATION CATEGORIES
When in Lourdes we offer our service to the Pilgrimage in the following ways:-
Pilgrim: You are totally independent and do not need any assistance at home, or more specifically in Lourdes or on the journey to Lourdes.
Assisted Pilgrim: You would like to join us in Lourdes, but will need some help from other people with personal care, clinical support or mobility issues in getting to the various pilgrimage venues in Lourdes. e.g. Using a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Assisted Pilgrims must contact the Pilgrimage Office 01403 740110 to request an Application Form.
Redshirts: a young person aged 15 / 16 / 17 by 31st July 2022 (school years 10, 11 or 12) who wants to explore what it means to be a catholic within a group of other young people while offering service to others.
Helper: adults who offer their service to others on the pilgrimage in a spirit of love and generosity. You will be expected to help our Assisted Pilgrims each day and will be allocated to a team in Lourdes. "Role of the Helper" click here. We also select our Hotel Leaders and Deputies from this category.
Doctor or Nurse: Only Doctors and Nurses who are actively working in the UK and fully registered can join us in this capacity during our week away. Retired and other Healthcare professionals have skills that can help us whilst in Lourdes, so if you are retired, please feel free to contact our Chief Medical Officer at cmo@ablourdes.org or our Chief Nurse at chiefnurse@ablourdes.org
Clergy/Religious: We are very fortunate to be supported by many Clergy and Religious and we recognise that not all priests, deacons, or religious wish to be a chaplain in Lourdes. If this is the case for you, please let the office know, and they will ensure that you are not allocated any duties. Please email office@ablourdes.org
MEDICAL INFORMATION
You will be asked to complete a brief Confidential Medical Questionnaire.
Medical information will be used to ensure that the Travel Insurance we arranged for each pilgrim whilst in Lourdes will include full support for anyone who becomes ill or must quarantine due to Covid-19, is valid.
It will also be reviewed by our clinical team to ensure that we are able to allocate you the appropriate accommodation and activities during the pilgrimage.
We will not be able to accept your application if the Medical Questionnaire has not been fully completed.
APPLICATION DETAILS
1. Pilgrimage Package. Includes all travel and full board accommodation arranged by the Pilgrimage Office. This is only available to Assisted Pilgrims together with their family and/or carers, Helpers, Doctors, Nurses, Redshirts, and Chaplains. All those asked to undertake a non-clinical Leadership role such as Assistant Chaplain and Redshirt Leaders please apply as helpers in the first instance.
All other Pilgrims, including families should make their own travel arrangements as below. If you are unsure, please contact the Pilgrimage Office.
2. Redshirts Package. Includes all travel and full board accommodation arranged by the Pilgrimage Office. This is only available to those aged 15, 16, 17 (school years 10, 11 & 12).
3. Accommodation and Transfers (Independent travel to Toulouse Airport). Includes full board accommodation and coach transfers, arranged by the Pilgrimage Office, from/to Toulouse Airport to/from Lourdes meeting only the Easyjet Flight EZY8339 (18:35) on Friday 29th July and returning on Easyjet Flight EZY8338 (17:15) on Thursday 4th August. Applicants must purchase their own tickets with Easyjet. Seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please therefore contact the Pilgrimage Office prior to applying. Places are not guaranteed.
4. Accommodation Only. Includes Full board accommodation arranged by the Pilgrimage Office. You must arrange your own travel so that you arrive at the hotel you are allocated on Friday 29th July after 2pm and depart on Thursday 4th August before lunch. Please note you must make your own hotel arrangements separately for any dates outside of the 29th July - 4th August and pay the hotel direct for these. If you plan to arrive or depart on any other day, please notify the Pilgrimage office of this in your application.
THE COSTS FOR THIS YEAR'S PILGRIMAGE ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
Pilgrim Package
1. £775 - Adults
2. £675 - Redshirts
2. £625 - Children 12-14*
3. £560 - Children 8-11*
4. £510 - Children 2-7*
Accommodation and Transfers
5. £645 - Adults
Accommodation Only
6. £585 - Accommodation Only
7. £385 - Accommodation only for Children aged 2-14* by 3rd August 2022
*Age by the end of the pilgrimage.
The costs of this years pilgrimage Single Room Supplement
7. £200 - Single Room Supplement
Please see our terms and conditions for cancellation - click here
Should you test positive for Covid 19 on the week of departure the funds paid for your pilgrimage will be refunded in full less your deposit on the presentation of a positive PCR test result.
If we have to cancel this pilgrimage following travel advice issued by the UK Government, you will receive a refund or the option to postpone.
Initial Payment will be £100 non-refundable deposit for all pilgrims. We will invoice you on receipt of your application form. Please do not make any further payment until advised to do so.
There is no charge for children aged under 24 months at the date of outbound travel.
Please view your invoice for payment requirements.
Final balance due by 30th June 2022. However, if a monthly payment plan has been agreed with the Pilgrimage Office and payments are regularly made, the final balance must be completed by 25th July 2022.
FINANCE
A £150 Subsidy, if needed, is available for all Hospitalite (Helpers, Doctors, Nurses and Chaplains, including all Leaders). If you are travelling independently the subsidy is £75.
A £50 GBP subsidy is available if needed for all Redshirts.
If you need further financial assistance, click here to download an Additional Subsidy Application Form, please complete this and return it to the Pilgrimage Office as directed as soon as possible. This information will be kept confidential.
If you require further assistance in financing your pilgrimage, we would recommend that you also speak to your parish priest to discuss the possible support available from your Parish and in your area, from charities such as the Knights of St Columba or the SVP.
If you are aged between 16 and 25, it is also possible to apply to your local group of Catenians for financial support, each circle is very supportive of those helping in Lourdes, and they would like to help you with your expenses.
The final balance of your invoice must be paid by 30th June 2022 unless a monthly payment plan has been agreed and is up to date click here for the monthly payment plan.
Please indicate if you wish to pay the balance by monthly instalments. Details will appear on your invoice for you to arrange a standing order with your bank. Final payment of your monthly instalments must be made by 25th July 2022 (prior to travel) once a payment plan has been agreed.
PREPARATION EVENTS
Full details of each event you are to attend will be confirmed to you by email closer to the date and can also be found on the events page of our website.
NEW PILGRIM'S PREPARATION - Saturday 11th June from 10.30am
For all new pilgrims who want to find out more about what going on the Diocesan pilgrimage is all about. You will have a chance to ask some questions, explore the meaning of pilgrimage and prepare for our week in Lourdes. There will also be a time of reflection and prayer with an introduction to this year's theme based on the words Our Lady spoke to St Bernadette "...go tell the priests" .
CHAPLAINS' DAY - (by invitation only) Wednesday 6th July 11am.
REDSHIRTS (YR'S 10 & 11) PREPARATION DAYS. Saturday 23rd April 2pm - 4pm & Saturday 18th June
NEW HELPERS and YR 12 REDSHIRTS Day Sunday 26th June - from 10am
Mandatory for all first time Hospitalite who must attend this Induction Day. Failure to do so may mean that you will not be able to help in Lourdes.
BRIEFING DAY - Sunday 3rd July from 10am - All Helpers, Yr 12 Redshirts, nurses, doctors and chaplains to attend. Failure to do so may mean that you cannot help in Lourdes.
MUSIC PRACTICE - Sunday 10th July from 12.30pm to 5.30pm. All musicians and singers are respectfully asked to attend this day of preparation.
SAFEGUARDING
In line with the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy, all helpers including leaders, Chaplains, Assistant Chaplains are required to have an Enhanced DBS Disclosure Certificate. Some roles also require checks against the barred lists.
You will be sent the appropriate documentation if you do not already have an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate issued within 3 years.
If you have an existing DBS certificate from a 3rd party organisation, it may be possible for us to use this disclosure if you have joined the Online Update Service. If in doubt, please provide the information when requested on the form, and the Pilgrimage office will contact you to discuss the way forward.
INSURANCE
All UK based pilgrims are included in group travel insurance and the cost is included in the price for the pilgrimage. In addition to your insurance, you will require a Global or European Health Insurance Card (please see GHIC / EHIC below).
All travellers are covered for the duration of the pilgrimage from the moment they join the group i.e. at the airport for package or on arrival for accommodation only. Separate personal travel cover should be arranged by those traveling independently for the duration of their journey.
Pilgrims with pre-existing health conditions will need verbal confirmation that they are not travelling against their GP's advice. Our clinical leadership team will advise you if this is required.
A copy of the Insurance Policy will be sent to you upon receipt of the deposit payment of your £100 deposit. Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) will follow shortly.
Please note: Mobile phones, musical instruments, computers, and loss of unattended personal possessions are specifically excluded from the policy, so please make separate arrangements.
GLOBAL AND EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD (GHIC / EHIC)
ALL PILGRIMS need either the new GHIC or their current EHIC if it remains in date across the Pilgrimage Dates. These cards are required in the event of a pilgrim needing medical attention in France. The GHIC (which is free of charge) can be obtained online at Apply for a free GHIC card - Healthcare abroad
Please note that an GHIC / EHIC must be obtained to validate your travel insurance.
PASSPORTS/VISAS:
You can check if you need to renew your passport before travelling in the EU (even if the dates cover the pilgrimage dates) by going to www.gov.uk/check-a-passport-for-travel-to-europe
On the day you travel, you'll need your passport to::
- have at least 6 months left
- be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left)
If you are a non-British/EU citizen, you may need a visa to travel to France and possibly specific permission to re-enter the UK. Please check with your embassy and the French embassy to be sure about what you need. It is your responsibility to ensure you have valid travel documents.
Please note it is your responsibility to check that your passport / visa is valid for travel to the EU.
HEALTH & SAFETY:
The Pilgrimage has a Health & Safety Policy. All pilgrims are expected to follow any health and safety procedures laid down by the organisation and behave in a responsible manner for their own welfare and the welfare of others. A copy of the policy and guidelines can be viewed here Pilgrimage Health & Safety Policy - Diocesan Health & Safety Guidelines or from the Pilgrimage Office upon request.
FINAL TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS:
Your travel instructions will be sent to you in due course. Please note, that in exceptional circumstances these may change. The Final complete travel details and pilgrimage instructions will be sent to you by the 11th July 2022. These will only be sent if full payment has been received by the 30th April 2022 or an agreed monthly instalment plan is in effect and up to date.
DATA PROTECTION ACT:
Under the Data Protection Act personal information from the booking form will be registered on a computerised database for processing applications - Click here for details of how we use your personal information
FAMILIES TRAVELLING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN will be placed into our Family Group so that they spend times with other families and have the support of our family group teams. If your family would prefer to stay in one of our other groups, please contact the pilgrimage office to discuss this.
TRANSPORTING OF EQUIPMENT
Please note: we are only able to transport a very limited number of electric wheelchairs, musical instruments and clinical equipment by land. All other items such as luggage, children's push chairs etc. must be taken by you on your journey to Lourdes.
It is helpful to have the following information with you before completing your online application:-
✔ Your Passport
✔ Your Global / European Health Insurance Card
✔ GP's contact details, and a list of your medication (if applicable)
✔ Your DBS disclosure certificate (if you have one)
✔ A photograph of yourself showing your full face for your name badge ( you can smile!), that you can either post, A&B Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, c/o Cathedral House, Parsons Hill, Arundel. BN18 9AY or send by email click here
If there is any other information that you think will be useful for us to know regarding your application, please email us
Complete the Online Application Form