Pilgrimages

This year the Pilgrimage will depart from Knock and will be for 5 nights, leaving Thursday 29^th April and returning on Tuesday 4^th May. Flight times to be advised.

 

Costs, subject to review, are as follows:

Flight from Knock with 5 nights’ accommodation per person sharing:

 

	Cost	Places	Deposit
Pilgrims	€ 1,179.00	39	€250
Helpers	€ 1,079.00	100	€250
Accueil Guests (Assisted Pilgrims)	€ 1,179.00	50	€250
Travel only	€ 675	n/a	€250

 

ACCOMMODATION

The above prices are based on pilgrims and helpers staying in the Hotels Roissy, Astoria or Jeanne d’Arc . Rooms will be booked strictly on receipt of completed booking form and deposit only. As there are limited types of rooms in each hotel, cut off quotas will apply. The online form will be amended to reflect this as the rooms become occupied. A Single Room Supplement of up to €47 per night applies (€235 for 5 nights) and a limited number of single rooms is available. The price depends on the hotel.

 

The price includes:

a.       Return flights Knock/  Lourdes

b.       Five nights full board, shared accommodation

c.       Care support of appropriately trained and qualified Order of Malta Members for Guests

d.       Coach transfer from Lourdes airport to hotel and return

e.       Services of the travel agent’s couriers in Lourdes

f.        All airport and security taxes

g.       All rooms with private facilities

h.       Full religious programme.

 

In certain circumstances, a visa is required to enter France. It is a person’s own responsibility to ensure that they have all the appropriate travel documents.

 

Travel insurance is not included in the fare. but is available from the travel agent upon payment of a supplement of €59 per person up to 79 years and €79 from 80-94 years. Pilgrims over 94 years must carry their own travel insurance.  The Medical Declaration Form for passengers with pre-existing medical conditions who are purchasing the JWT Pilgrimage Insurance must now be completed and signed by their GP within 45 days of the start date of the trip (15^th March), otherwise any pre-existing medical condition will be excluded from cover. Cancellation cover for medical reasons is subject to approval of the cancellation form filled in and signed by a Medical Practitioner and includes a non-refundable amount of €250 per person. Non-residents of Ireland must arrange their own insurance cover. Note: all Pilgrimage participants must provide proof of travel insurance before travelling. Pilgrims who require travel insurance from our travel agent will be required to pay this at the time of the deposit.

 

For those who are nor travelling from Ireland or not staying for the full duration of the Pilgrimage and will require to make their own travel arrangements, a limited number of rooms may be available in the Hotels Roissy, Astoria or Jeanne d’Arc with prices available upon request.

 

 

BOOKING PROCEDURE

All members and Pilgrimage staff are required to complete the online Pilgrimage booking form, even if making their own travel and/or accommodation arrangements. A Pilgrimage Registration fee of €80 applies to all pilgrims. This is included in the fare quoted but those making their own travel and/or accommodation arrangements must pay this separately. This covers all the local costs of the Pilgrimage including the Sanctuary and other additional expenses.

 

The preferred method of booking is by using our online booking form. This form works on many different electronic devices from desktops to smart phones.

·         The online form should be used to book Pilgrimage Staff, Pilgrims and the initial booking of Accueil Guests (assisted pilgrims needing to stay in the Accueil Notre Dame)

·         Under 18s (including cadets) should book online but will be sent a hard copy of the booking form which will require a parent/guardian’s signature. Their booking will not be confirmed until this is received.

·         Accueil Guests will be required to complete a separate nursing assessment form which will be sent out following receipt of the registration form

Bookings are not confirmed until both booking form and deposit have been received. The number of places on the pilgrimage flight are limited so please make sure you book early to avoid being disappointed. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All enquiries should be sent to lourdes@orderofmalta.ie.

 

DEPOSITS & Final Payment

The closing date for receipt of booking forms (including Guests booking forms), accompanied by a non-refundable deposit is 10^th January 2027, unless the pilgrimage is fully booked at an earlier date. Booking will be on a strictly first-come-first-served basis. Upon receipt of the online booking form, an invoice for the deposit with payment details will be sent by email. Full payment must be made by 28^th March 2027. Medical forms and nursing assessments will be required to be completed for all Guests staying in the Accueil.

 

TICKETS

This will be a ticketless flight, but all pilgrims will receive an itinerary approximately one week before travel.

 

 

 

HELPERS / PILGRIMAGE STAFF

We encourage all members of Order of Malta Ireland to join our Pilgrimage, especially those who have been previously unable to participate. No one is expected to undertake duties with which they are unfamiliar. Doctors and nurses are encouraged to join the pilgrimage to help supervise the care of our Guests (assisted pilgrims). All those volunteering as pilgrimage staff will be sent Duty Rosters and guidelines outlining their functions and duty hours. Guidance and training will be provided where appropriate.

 

ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

All members of the Irish Association are encouraged to participate in the pilgrimage. This is an opportunity to work alongside our confrères from around the globe. We would particularly encourage members to identify and promote the pilgrimage to individuals who may like to participate in the pilgrimage as Guests (assisted pilgrims) and be cared for by our staff in the Accueil Notre Dame. Members should also try to identify ways in which they can support the pilgrimage financially. If you cannot join us in Lourdes personally, I would ask you to consider sponsoring a guest to join us as for many people who may not be in the best of health, a pilgrimage to Lourdes could represent the trip of a lifetime.

 

AMBULANCE CORPS

The Officer in Charge of each unit is particularly asked to encourage members of the Unit to take part in the Pilgrimage, to help with the care of our Guests (assisted pilgrims). They are also encouraged to identify and promote the pilgrimage to individuals who may like to partake in the pilgrimage as Guests and be cared for by our staff in the Accueil Notre Dame. Officers in Charge are encouraged to organise functions and promote schemes to subsidise the fares of those members and/or Guests travelling.

 

 

CADETS

When booking cadet places, please be sure to include both parental consent & special requirements forms with the hard copy of their booking. If you have any queries relating to Cadets in Lourdes, please don’t hesitate to contact Comdr. Gillian Kelly at cadets@orderofmalta.ie

 

 

DRESS CODE

Ambulance Corps - working uniform. Members of the Association should wear the working uniform of the Order as appropriate. N.B. The Grand Magistry has advised Church Mantles are not to be worn when on duty or “transporting” Guests, especially in procession, but can be worn when not providing services to our Guests.

 

 

GARDA VETTING

With the sole exception of Guests and general pilgrims, everyone travelling to Lourdes as a helper must have Garda/Police clearance and an in date CPAP (Order of Malta Child Protection training) Pilgrimage staff who have not done so previously must submit a completed Garda Vetting form (available from St. John's House on request) at least 4 weeks before departure or, if resident outside Ireland, have compatible certification and provide St John’s House with an approved/official copy of same.

 

 

ACCUEIL GUESTS (assisted pilgrims)

All Guests must stay in the Accueil. Guests do not become eligible for placement until the nursing assessment process has been completed. Nursing assessments will be carried out by members of our Nursing team. The Medical Officer of the Pilgrimage will make the final decision in each case, depending on our ability to provide the care required while in Lourdes.

 

MEDICAL FORMS

It is essential that the Medical Forms in respect of each Guests travelling are completed and returned to this office as soon as possible but no later than 1st March 2027 in order to facilitate the process of selection and assessment of care needs. Bearing in mind that GPs can be very busy, Officers-in-Charge and members are asked to identify quickly any Guest who wishes to travel, and secondly, to ensure that medical forms are given to doctors in plenty of time to have them returned by the closing date.

 

 

DIALYSIS

Pilgrims requiring dialysis treatment while in Lourdes should be advised that substantial advance notice for each pilgrim is necessary. Therefore, this office should be informed not later than 7th February 2027 of any pilgrim who needs this treatment.

 

 

WHEELCHAIRS

Motorised wheelchairs and scooters are limited to three per flight and their acceptance is subject to weight, dimension and battery restrictions imposed by airlines and in line with safety regulations. Full specification must be provided at the time of booking through the approval form and carriage is subject to clearance by the airline. Pilgrims requiring mobility assistance who do not need full-time use of a wheelchair should notify us that they require a wheelchair in Lourdes which we can arrange on their behalf. There will be no charge for this service. Those using a specialist or non-folding wheelchair should state this at the time of booking and on the Medical and Nursing Assessment forms.

 

 

ALL BOOKINGS MUST BE PAID FOR BEFORE DEPARTURE – THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTION TO THIS