Annual trip to Lourdes in September

Each year on the 17-22nd September Miriam McDonnell and her team join a pilgrimage from Inchicore in Dublin — the Oblate Pilgrimage to Lourdes — who bring 120 very ill patients to Lourdes.

These guests come from their own homes, hospitals and nursing homes from around the country. Once in Lourdes the guests enjoy a beautiful holiday in the heart of the Accueil de Notre Dame (a hospital) looking directly at the Grotto of Our Lady.

There are hundreds of helpers who travel each year — Nurses, Carers, Doctors, Pharmacists, Catering Assistants, Cleaning Assistants, Porters and a wonderful Youth Service (100 young people) all who voluntarily pay their own way and use a week of their holidays to ensure that each guest has an amazing trip to remember.

Miriam is the Director of Nursing of the pilgrimage and has been travelling as a nurse to Lourdes with the Oblates for over 40 years. She is assisted in the task of organising the assessments, travel arrangements, and nursing care for the 120 patients each year by a team of Doctors, Nurses and Carers.

The entire team — 3 planeloads! — Move into an empty hospital floor for the five days each year and bring all the equipment hoists, wheelchairs/gloves/aprons/medical apparatus etc with them from Ireland.

If you would like to travel to Lourdes and require assistance of the Nurses and Carers you might like to stay at the Accueil.

People who would like to travel on pilgrimage to Lourdes and stay in the hotels in the town are very welcome to join us, a variety of hotels are available.

Miriam is at the Kilcullen Parish Centre each Tuesday night from 7.45pm-9.15pm. If you prefer you can telephone her on her mobile 087 9799403 to make arrangements.