Catholic Association Pilgrimage
Encyclopedia
The Catholic Association of the UK, abbreviated to the CA, has been around in one form or another since 1881 and ran its first pilgrimage to Lourdes
Lourdes
Lourdes is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in south-western France.Lourdes is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous...
in 1901. Its objects are set out in the Memorandum and Articles but its main purpose is to mastermind the CA Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Lourdes
Lourdes is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in south-western France.Lourdes is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous...
, currently incorporating the diocesan pilgrimages of Clifton Diocese, East Anglia Diocese, Northampton Diocese, Portsmouth Diocese
Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is a Latin Rite Roman Catholic diocese in England. The episcopal see is the Portsmouth Cathedral and is headed by the Bishop of Portsmouth...
, Southwark Archdiocese, and the Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
Lourdes Pilgrimage and British Province of the Carmelites
Carmelites
The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
Pilgrimage. Each of these groups is overseen by a Diocesan Director. The entire Pilgrimage is coordinated by the Pilgrimage Director (currently Mgr Bill Saunders from Southwark Archdiocese)and the Pilgrimage Management Committee, and takes place at the end of August.
The CA is a registered charity.
History
The Catholic Association was originally founded in 1891, with the approval and blessing of Cardinal ManningCardinal Manning
Cardinal Manning may refer to* Henry Edward Manning , English Roman Catholic Archbishop and Cardinal* Timothy Manning , Archbishop of Los Angeles...
. Its original objects are stated in its Rules as being;
To promote unity and good fellowship among Catholics by organising lectures, concerts, dances, whist tournaments, excursions, and other gatherings of a social character, and to assist, whenever possible, in the work of Catholic organization, and in the protection and advancement of Catholic interests.
It was particularly successful in the organization of pilgrimages to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and other places of Catholic interest.
The first pilgrimage to Lourdes took place in September 1901 and became the forerunner of what nowadays is known as the CA Annual.
The Second World War brought the activities of the Association to a halt. However in 1947 the organisation of pilgrimage resumed with the first to Lourdes in that year. The Catholic Association was responsible for organising the HCPT
HCPT
HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust is a United Kingdom based charity which takes children with special needs on pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Lourdes, France.-History:...
pilgrimage at Easter until that pilgrimage separated to make its own arrangements. A similar situation arose when the pilgrimage of the burgeoning diocese of Arundel and Brighton was removed from the Catholic Association by the Bishop, Michael Bowen. That Diocese now has a very successful pilgrimage to Lourdes in July each year.
In the 1970's, it ceased trading as a travel agent and registered as a charity. The sole purpose of the charity is to mastermind the Pilgrimage.
A list of previous officials is available on their website.http://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/pilgrimage/caarchive.shtml
How the Pilgrimage works
The CA is a 'Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a Share Capital.' It is also a Registered Charity (number 1071120). The Catholic Association is a company and the Directors are registered as such, although the Directors refer to themselves as Trustees.Catholic Association Trust
The Trustees fulfill the usual role of Trustees, which is to guard the funds.The Trustees appoint Pilgrimage Officers (the heads of the different service sections including doctors, nurses, brancardiers, handmaids, youth group etc.). The Pilgrimage Officers, together with the Diocesan Directors, make up the Pilgrimage Management Committee (PMC). Trustees are permitted to attend meetings of the PMC but, apart from two or three who have specific functions there, it is generally thought that the PMC should be allowed to manage itself. There is some overlap of membership and responsibilities between the Trustees, the PMC, and the Hospitalité Council.
Pilgrimage Management Committee
The Trustees appoint Pilgrimage Officers (the heads of the different service sections including doctors, nurses, handmaids, youth group etc.). The Pilgrimage Officers, together with the Diocesan Directors, make up the Pilgrimage Management Committee (PMC). Trustees are permitted to attend meetings of the PMC but, apart from two or three who have specific functions there, the PMC should be allowed to manage itself. There is some overlap of membership and responsibilities between the Trustees, the PMC, and the Hospitalité Council. The PMC is responsible for the actual organisation and practicalities of the annual Lourdes pilgrimage.As at September 2011, the membership of the PMC consists of:
- Rt Rev Paul Hendricks, (Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark) (Chairman)
- Mgr Bill Saunders (Pilgrimage Director)
- Steve Gill (Treasurer)
- Chris Thorpe (Secretary)
- Heads of Service (Currently, Matt Betts, Rachel Easton, Adam Farmer, Anna Jackson).
- Chris Buller (President Hospitalité)
- Becky Banfield (Young Helpers’ Group Leader)
- Fr Simon Blakesley (Chaplain to the Sick & Hospitalité)
- Judy Ball (Director of Music)
- Rev Philip Glandfield (CA Master of Ceremonies)
- Osyth Hawke (CA Safeguarding Officer)
- Simon Gallop or Nicole Gallop Mildon (HCP)
- A Director or Co-ordinator from each of the Diocesan and other participating groups (Stonyhurst CollegeStonyhurst CollegeStonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
, Glanfield Children's Group & British Province of CarmelitesCarmelitesThe Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
)
Catholic Association Hospitalité
The Catholic Association Hospitalité of Our Lady of Lourdes – CA Hospitalité for short – exists to bind together the volunteer pilgrims, known in French as Hospitalier(e)s, who help in the service of all pilgrims – especially ‘sick pilgrims’ – during the Pilgrimage; doctors, nurses, handmaids (female helpers), brancardiers (male helpers), chaplains, and praying members. The Hospitalité is a religious sodality in the Catholic Church, with a strong social and spiritual element and it is affiliated to the Hospitalité Notre Dame de LourdesHospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes
The Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes a Roman Catholic religious confraternity under the spiritual authority of the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, and works closely with the Rector of the Sanctuaries and his pastoral team. The HNDL is governed by a President and a council...
(the central Hospitalité coordinating most volunteers in Lourdes throughout the year).
The CA Hospitalité is governed by a Council consisting of some ex-officio members who are Pilgrimage Officers (on the Pilgrimage Management Committee), and three members elected each for three years on a 'rolling' programme. The Council elects its own Officers, the President has a seat on the PMC, and the Council has power to co-opt members for a specific purpose. The Council is the driving force of the Hospitalité and looks after everything connected to the Sick Pilgrims.
The principal aims and objects of the CA Hospitalité are set out in the Constitution (and summarised above the application for membership) as follows:
a. To serve sick pilgrims going to Lourdes on the Catholic Association Pilgrimage and to help in the smooth running of religious and other activities involving sick pilgrims on that Pilgrimage under the direction of and in collaboration with the Pilgrimage Directors and Heads of Service.
b. To strengthen the bonds of fraternal life between its members and to help them maintain their obligations as Christians, their responsibilities in the Church and their devotion to Our Lady. This service consists especially of looking after the material needs of the sick pilgrims although the obligation of a member of the Hospitalité is not limited to material work. Members will be expected to help all pilgrims to benefit fully from the religious and social benefits of a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Volunteer pilgrims may apply for membership of the Hospitalité on conclusion of their first pilgrimage. The Hospitalité Council may admit to the membership any class of person or individual who, in their opinion, renders suitable services to the sick. Following approval by the Hospitalité Council, applicants will be admitted to ordinary membership during their next pilgrimage to Lourdes, having made an Act of Consecration before the Patron or Chaplain. After working with the Pilgrimage for a further two years as members, helpers may apply for admission to full membership of the Hospitalité the following year. The Hospitalité Council may also invite ‘Sick Pilgrims’ to become full members of the Hospitalité who support the organization through their prayers.
It is worth remembering that members are encouraged to take the Spirit of Lourdes home with them and to promote the pilgrimage, in particular by recruiting other volunteers and by making known the facilities provided for Sick Pilgrims, both those who need to stay in an Accueil (house of welcome for the sick) and others who would be better served in a hotel.
As at October 2011 the CA Hospitalité Council consists of:
- Vacant (Patron)
- Chris Buller (President)
- Nimal Hemelge (Secretary)
- Richard Long-Fox (Treasurer)
- Fr Simon Blakesley (Chaplain)
- Dr Adam Farmer (Chief Medical Officer)
- Vacant (Chief Nurse)
- Matt Betts (Chief Brancardier)
- Anna Jackson (Chief Handmaid)
- Becky Banfield (Leader of the Young Helpers’ Group)
- Vicki Gale (Elected Member 2010 - 2012)
- David Ball (Elected Member 2010 - 2013)
- Andy Joyce (Elected Member 2011 - 2014)
More information: CA Hospitalité Newsletter
The CA Hospitalité is also affiliated to the Association of British Lourdes Pilgrimage Hospitalités
Association of British Lourdes Pilgrimage Hospitalités
The Association of British Lourdes Pilgrimage Hospitalités was founded in 1985/86 as a forum for the many groups involved in organising pilgrimages to the shrine of Lourdes...
.
UK Hospitalité Events
- Each year the Catholic Association holds an AGM for all members.
- Every two years the Catholic Association runs a retreat at WalsinghamWalsinghamWalsingham is a village in the English county of Norfolk. The village is famed for its religious shrines in honour of the Virgin Mary and as a major pilgrimage centre...
.
Volunteering
The CA relies on volunteer helpers to work with the various assisted pilgrims (sick) who come to Lourdes each year. The CA divides their volunteers up into services (with a Head of Service for each of these):- Brancardiers (male non medical helpers). The Chief Brancardier is their Head of Service.
- Handmaids (female non medical helpers). The Chief Handmaid is their Head of Service.
- Nurses. The Chief Nurse is their Head of Service.
- Doctors. The Chief Medical Officer is their Head of Service.
Each service works in teams to look after the assisted pilgrims in the Accueil and in hotels. The brancs and handmaids are in mixed teams; and the two heads of service work together in various areas of assisted pilgrim care.
Helpers Children's Programme (HCP)
The CA also organises their Helpers' Children's Programme (HCP), which offers a programme of activities for any helpers with children working on the Pilgrimage. HCP is open over various periods of the day and allows for helpers to be free to do a lot more work with the assisted pilgrims.Music Group
The CA also searches for volunteers to be part of their music group, which plays at all the services and events during the Pilgrimage. The group look for singers and those who can play musical instruments. Volunteers must always bring their own instruments.Pilgrimage main events
Whilst small details will change from year to year, like most of the large-scale pilgrimages to Lourdes, the Catholic Association pilgrimage includes certain recurring events:- Pilgrimage Candle
- Opening Mass
- Prayer on the Prairie
- Opening Party
- Mass at the Grotto
- Blessed Sacrament Procession
- Marian Torchlight Procession
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Baths
- Outing
- Anointing of the Sick
- Hospitalite Service
- Children's Mass
- Stations of the Cross
- Pilgrimage Photos
- Diocesan Events
- Passage through the Grotto
- Accueil Party
- Going Forth Mass
Travel
The Catholic Association, for a number of years, has appointed Tangney Tours as their official travel agent, although a number of pilgrims travel independently.. Most of the Pilgrimage travels from Stansted airport, but many also travel by train from St PancrasSt Pancras
-Saints:* Pancras of Taormina, martyred in 40 AD in Sicily* Pancras of Rome, the saint martyred c.304 AD after whom the following are directly or indirectly named-United Kingdom:* St Pancras, London, a district of London...
and other airports like Manchester.
Accommodation
The Catholic Association tends to stay at hotels to the St Joseph Gate side of Lourdes. These include:A Hotel Beau Site
B Hotel St Clair
C Hotel Tara
D Hotel Mediterranee
E Hotel De La Grotte
F Hotel Miramont
G St Georges Hotel
H Hotel Moderne
I Notre Dame De France
J Hotel St Saveur
K Solitude Hotel
L Petit Languedoc
M Hotel Irlande
N Hotel Arcade
O Hotel Alba
P Hotel Christ Roi
R Hotel Gallia Londres
Note
The Catholic AssociationCatholic Association
The Catholic Association was an Irish Roman Catholic political organisation set up by Daniel O'Connell in the early nineteenth century to campaign for Catholic emancipation within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It was one of the first mass-membership political movements in...
of the UK is not to be confused with that set up by Daniel O'Connell
Daniel O'Connell
Daniel O'Connell Daniel O'Connell Daniel O'Connell (6 August 1775 – 15 May 1847; often referred to as The Liberator, or The Emancipator, was an Irish political leader in the first half of the 19th century...
, founded in Ireland.