Christian hospitality, particularly in places of pilgrimage such as Lourdes, plays a vital role in offering support and assistance to pilgrims. Two forms of hospitality can be distinguished in this context: the Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes and the hospitalities of accompaniment. Although their missions are similar, there are significant differences in their organisation and functions.
The Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes and the hospitalities of accompaniment play complementary roles in the pilgrims’ experience of Lourdes. One offers permanent, all-round support, while the others provide personalised, community-based support. Together, they help to make Lourdes a welcoming and spiritually enriching place of pilgrimage for all who visit.
The Hospitalities of Accompaniment
The Hospitalities of Accompaniment are associations often attached to dioceses, parishes or specific groups of pilgrims. They are mainly dedicated to accompanying the groups they support during the pilgrimage.
Missions and activities:
– Group management: They are in charge of the logistics and organisation of the journey, accommodation and activities for groups of pilgrims.
– Spiritual and emotional accompaniment: They provide spiritual accompaniment, guiding pilgrims in their prayers and reflections during their stay.
– Personalised help: Hospitality groups offer personalised help based on the specific needs of the members of their group, particularly the sick and elderly.
The Hospitalities of Accompaniment are smaller, more localised groups, often affiliated to specific dioceses or parishes. They mainly accompany the members of their groups. They focus on preparing and coordinating the pilgrimage for their respective groups, with a focus on the spiritual and community experience. The volunteers in these hosptalities are generally members of the same community that accompanies the pilgrimage, involved on an ad hoc basis during the pilgrimage, and they play an important role in the respective countries supporting the sick in their homes.
The Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes
The Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes is a historic organisation founded in 1885. It is made up of volunteers, known as hospitaliers, who devote themselves to welcoming pilgrims, particularly those with disabilities or who are ill. These volunteers come from all over the world and take turns throughout the year to ensure a continuous presence at Lourdes.
Missions and activities:
– Welcome and accompaniment: Hospitaliers welcome pilgrims on their arrival, accompany them around the Sanctuary and assist them during the ceremonies and processions.
– Care and Support: They give special attention to sick and disabled pilgrims, providing basic care, mobility assistance and emotional support.
– Visits: The Hospitality organises visits for pilgrims requiring special assistance, in collaboration with local medical facilities.
The Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes is an international organisation with a centralised structure. It welcomes and assists all pilgrims coming to Lourdes. It concentrates its efforts on the general welcome and ongoing assistance of pilgrims on site, and hospitaliers often commit themselves for defined periods, as set out in an annual calendar.
