Centennial celebrations for Society of Our Lady of Lourdes

1930 pilgrims arriving

National pilgrimage charity, the Society of Our Lady of Lourdes, is celebrating a milestone in its history this year. 2012 marks the centenary of the Society which works to give honour to Our Lady and enable and encourage pilgrims to visit Lourdes by minimising the barriers of cost and disability.

Although originally the principal annual pilgrimage from England to Lourdes, over time as individual diocesan pilgrimages have formed, the Society’s role has evolved to specialise on the very sick, working to care for those who require the most support to travel.

The Society’s annual Lourdes pilgrimage takes place in early summer with the help of experienced helpers who are supported by a professional team of medical staff who alongside their auxiliaries, provide the pilgrims with 24-hour care.

Despite its age, SOLL also works hard to engage with the youth of today and is accompanied every year by over 150 students from three Catholic high schools based in Yorkshire and Watford who offer their enthusiastic help and companionship to the pilgrims. Social media savvy, the Society also has its own Twitter and Facebook accounts, blog and Youtube video channel, enabling it to keep in touch with the times as well as reach its 1248 members who live throughout the country and internationally.

Fundraising initiatives have already begun to mark the 100th birthday including the formation of a Centenary Club whose members enter a monthly lottery-style prize draw. Plans for the coming months include an integrated quiz night via video conference for members throughout the country, a sponsored cycle ride and a ‘Sponsored Push’ wheelchair fundraising event. An exhibition documenting the history of SOLL will also open in Lourdes in May.

Catherine Casey, Council member of SOLL, hopes that the centennial celebrations will help raise awareness of the Society’s work, “Lourdes is a very sacred and unforgettable experience which provides our pilgrims physical and spiritual nourishment as well as lifelong friendships. From pushing wheelchairs to feeding and cleaning, our helpers are there to assist from the time we meet at the departure airport to the time we bid farewell on our return. It’s tiring but overwhelmingly rewarding and we want SOLL to continue its work for another 100 years!”
In addition to Lourdes, the Society holds mini-pilgrimages to Chideock, Glastonbury, Lanherne and also organises two annual retreats which help to sustain the Soceity spiritually in its work during the year.

For further information about SOLL’s history, the people it helps and the volunteers involved in its work, visit their website at: www.soll-lourdes.co.uk or contact 020 8848 9833. To offer a donation to the Society visit: www.justgiving.com/societyofourladyoflourdes.