Half a century of youth service marked with major pilgrimage
Approximately 1,000 pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Liverpool are preparing to travel to Lourdes this month to commemorate 50 years since the archdiocese first organised a dedicated youth journey to the Marian shrine. The wider diocesan link with Lourdes stretches back 103 years, and—aside from the pandemic pause—the annual youth contingent has continued without interruption since the mid-1970s.
The pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, 22 July, and will be led by Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool. In keeping with longstanding practice, hundreds of young volunteers will undertake the journey by coach, arriving in southern France to support assisted pilgrims from the outset of the week.
Seven coaches, early starts and practical support
This year, seven coaches carrying around 350 young people will set off from locations across the archdiocese. Departure points span communities in and around Merseyside and Lancashire, reflecting the breadth of participation across the region.
- Knowsley
- Lancashire
- Isle of Man
- Ormskirk
- Wigan
- Liverpool
- St Helens
- Sefton
- Warrington
- Widnes
On arrival, volunteers are expected to begin duty at the hospital from the early hours—often from around 4.30am—assisting with care, transport and access to places of devotion and Mass. The programme is structured so that those receiving support can take part fully in the religious and social aspects of the week.
Leaders highlight milestone year
“The Lourdes pilgrimage is special every year for the youth of the archdiocese, but this year it will have much more significance as we reach this historic milestone. We are very much looking forward to being in Lourdes and we have a number of special events planned to mark the 50 th anniversary to make it a truly memorable year.”
That was the reflection of Fr Simon Gore, who oversees youth services. The pilgrimage director, Fr Grant Maddock, emphasised that assisted pilgrims remain central to the undertaking, with arrangements tailored to their needs throughout the visit.
“The pilgrimage is one of the most significant events in the life of the archdiocese. Our assisted pilgrims are at the heart of everything we do, and the week is carefully planned to ensure they can benefit fully, both spiritually and socially. The pilgrimage belongs to the whole archdiocese, and we encourage those who are unable to travel to join us from home through prayer and by taking part in our Novena.”
Opening Mass and how to take part from home
To mark the start of the pilgrimage period, the annual Lourdes Mass is due to take place at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on Sunday 19 July at 3pm. Those unable to travel are invited to join spiritually from home, including through prayer and the archdiocesan Novena.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lourdes Mass (Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral) | Sunday 19 July | Start time: 3pm |
| Youth pilgrimage departure | Wednesday 22 July | Seven coaches from sites across the archdiocese |
Background and local impact
Since 1976, the archdiocese’s youth initiative has taken hundreds of local teenagers and young adults each year on a 24-hour coach journey to support sick and disabled pilgrims in Lourdes. The experience typically blends practical service—such as accompanying pilgrims to services and shrines—with time for reflection. Although the programme paused during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has resumed its role as a fixture in the archdiocesan calendar.
The reach of the pilgrimage—drawing in participants from boroughs across the Liverpool City Region and beyond—means the event carries a broad civic dimension. Families, schools, parishes and community groups are closely involved in recruitment and preparation, while the opening Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral provides a focal point for those remaining in Liverpool. The emphasis on service is understood to have shaped generations of volunteers, many of whom return as adult helpers in subsequent years.
With a large travelling party this summer and a renewed focus on its golden jubilee, organisers say planning is calibrated around the needs of assisted pilgrims and the safeguarding of volunteers. The call for prayerful support from the wider archdiocesan community underlines the collective character of the event and its significance in the archdiocese’s life.
