BCYS Summer Lourdes 2027

 

By applying you accept and understand all information stated below.

Please read this page carefully before applying.

The first wave of applications will be open from 1st October 2026 until 1st January 2027. Places will then be confirmed before the end of January.

Information regarding this event will be emailed out to those attending – please ensure to check the email you use to apply. If you do not receive an email once you have applied, please contact [email protected].

* * *

What happens on a BCYS Lourdes Pilgrimage?

The week is spent travelling alongside the main Diocesan pilgrimage as we assist the elderly and infirm, particularly those in wheelchairs, to get to Masses and services, visiting the shops and cafes of the beautiful French town, as well as joining them for social time together. For many pilgrims, it is one of the few times they are able to leave their house.

For those travelling with the BCYS, the week will also include a retreat, reconciliation service, the chance to visit the baths, a trip to the stunning mountain town of Gavarnie (part of a UNESCO World Heritage site), social nights and party as well as experiencing the Lourdes Torchlight Procession and Blessed Sacrament Procession.

The pilgrimage is open to all those currently in school year 10 – 13 for the 2026-2027 academic year. All those of school leaver age (18+) are invited to join us as young leaders (subject to attending a training weekend, see details below).

* * *

The cost of the trip is TBC but estimated to be around £845 for young people (school years 10 to 13) and £795 for leaders.

This includes coach travel, hotels, insurance, excursions, all meals in Lourdes, a Lourdes polo shirt for each participant and a hoody for anyone travelling with us for the first time.

Bursary and grant funding is available from the Catenians, Jack Petchey and BCYS, among others. We would be happy to share any more information on these, as well as fundraising ideas within your parishes or schools. Please do not be put off attending this trip due to cost. You can find more information on Funding for Lourdes here 

• Travel to Lourdes will be by coaches, which leave from stops in Colchester, Stratford and Brentwood on Saturday 17th July, returning to Brentwood only on Saturday 24th July. Exact timings will be confirmed nearer the time, as this is dependant on ferry crossing times, however we anticipate that coaches will leave around lunchtime and will return in the morning. The pilgrimage will conclude with Mass altogether, which family are invited to join us for.
• This is a service pilgrimage in which our main purpose is to assist the adult Diocesan pilgrims. The timetable will include daily Masses, as well as times of prayer, socialising, reflection and much more throughout the week, but we will have a very full timetable for the week we spend in Lourdes.
• Due to the location of hotels and geography of Lourdes, there will be a large amount of walking throughout the week, as well as pushing wheelchairs. You must be physically up to this task.

• Please make every effort to attend our Pre-Trip Information Meeting for all parents and participants on Sunday 27th June, from 2pm to 3:30pm.

All of those who are travelling, plus their parents/guardians are warmly invited to this pre-trip meeting where you will meet the groups you will be spending time with in Lourdes, find out your room shares, coach travel allocations and collect your polo shirts and hoodies for the week.

For parents, there will be an opportunity for you to hear more about the trip from Gabriella Skinner (Events and Pilgrimages Coordinator) and Claire Bailey (Director of Youth Ministry), and ask any questions or bring up any concerns you might have.

Whilst we are in Lourdes we will also have a medical team accompany us, so if there are any concerns particularly around health or wellbeing which you wish to discuss with them then they will be more than willing to give you that opportunity.

If you are travelling for the first time, or would like to know more about this pilgrimage, you can download our Summer Lourdes FAQs here: Summer Lourdes FAQs

For those who have not travelled with us before, the year 13s in our group in Lourdes have traditionally had a slightly larger role to play in the pilgrimage – we recognise that most of you will be 18 when we travel and will hopefully carry on to become leaders in the future, and we want to nurture and encourage this!

A large part of the week will be spent accompanying our group of adults with additional needs, and providing extra assistance to the main adult pilgrimage, or taking on stewarding and marshalling the larger events in Lourdes.

So that we can meet you, you can meet each other and we can give you a little more information and opportunity to ask questions about this role, we would like to invite you to Brentwood Cathedral Parish Hall on Sunday 27th June from 12pm. We will have lunch and refreshments for you, and would then invite you to stay and your parents to join us for the whole group pre-trip meeting.

(This school year refers to the year you are in from September 2026 – August 2027).

 

 

For anyone who is age 18 or over (having finished compulsory education in August 2026) we invite to come on pilgrimage as a young leader.

In this role, you will accompany a group of young pilgrims throughout the Lourdes Pilgrimage, helping them get the most from the experience. You’ll provide pastoral support, encourage participation in the programme, facilitate discussions and reflections, and help create a welcoming, inclusive and faith-filled environment. Working alongside the wider BCYS leadership team, you’ll support the wellbeing and safeguarding of your group while helping them grow in faith, friendship and service.

Due to the nature of this role, you will need to complete a DBS check with the Diocese (we will be in touch to arrange this with you!) AND attend a compulsory training weekend, which will take place at Walsingham House on Saturday 26th June and Sunday 27th June. PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THESE DATES!

 

TRAVEL

Travel to Lourdes will be by coach, with pick ups from Stratford, Colchester and Brentwood before beginning the 20 hour drive – you can select your pick up point when completing your booking form. All coaches will then return to Brentwood only and arrangements to collect young people from here must be made.

Certain passport holders require a Visa to allow them to travel. This is up to individual passport holders to verify and may take several weeks to process. Therefore we ask that you begin this process as soon as possible and aim to have confirmation of your visa by 31st May. Please email [email protected] for assistance.

Please ensure you have a valid GHIC card. This gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during your trip in another European Economic Area.

 

* * *

 

OTHER ROLES IN LOURDES

As well as opportunities with the BCYS, there are also additional roles with the Diocese for those over 18.

If you would be interested in volunteering in other roles in Lourdes, such as supporting the medical team, assisting with adults with additional needs or being part of the main Diocesan pilgrimage in any way, you can email [email protected].

 

* * *

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be open from October and places will then be confirmed in January.

The first 80 places will be offered to those from school years 10—12. Up to 30 places will be offered to those in school year 13. Places will be allocated to ensure as many parishes and schools as possible from the diocese are represented. Where we receive a large number from one school or parish, places will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. Once your place is confirmed, we will ask for a non-refundable deposit to be paid to secure this.

THIS EVENT IS ALWAYS HUGELY OVERSUBSCRIBED, SO WE DO ENCOURAGE BOOKING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

 

* * *

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

All those who are in school year 13 or below until the end of August 2027 will be required to submit a parental consent form in order to attend the pilgrimage.

You will be emailed a link to complete this online.

 

When signing the online form you will be asked to confirm you have read and understood the Code of Conduct and Safety Policies. You can download all out policies and useful documents below:

Summer Lourdes Code of Conduct

BCYS Summer Lourdes Safety Policies – UPDATED

Summer Lourdes Kit List

BCYS Lourdes Pilgrimage Room Share and Group Allocation Policy

BCYS Mobile Phone and Social Media Policy

 

Privacy Policy

 

Booking Terms & Conditions

By registering for the BCYS Lourdes Pilgrimage, you agree to the following:

• Submission of an application does not guarantee a place on the pilgrimage.
• If offered a place, your booking will only be confirmed once the required deposit has been received by the stated deadline.
• The remaining balance must be paid by the published final payment date. Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in your place being withdrawn.
• Deposits are non-refundable. Any further refunds are subject to costs already incurred by BCYS.
• You agree to provide accurate personal, medical and emergency contact information and to inform BCYS of any changes before departure.
• All participants must follow the BCYS Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policies. BCYS reserves the right to withdraw a participant from the pilgrimage where behaviour places themselves or others at risk.
• By registering, you consent to BCYS contacting you by email regarding your application, payments, travel arrangements and other essential pilgrimage information. Where you have opted in, you may also receive information about future BCYS events.
• Photographs and videos may be taken during the pilgrimage. Any use for promotional purposes will be in accordance with the parental consent provided.
• Personal data will be processed in accordance with the Diocese of Brentwood’s Privacy Notice and will only be used for the administration and delivery of the pilgrimage.
• BCYS reserves the right to amend the programme, travel arrangements or these terms where necessary.

By submitting your application, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms & Conditions.

 

If you have any questions or concerns please speak to us as soon as possible, by emailing [email protected]