Every Easter, the beautiful and holy city of Lourdes (France) opens its arms ~ and streets, hotels and restaurants ~ to thousands of special needs youngsters and volunteer helpers who literally descend upon the town as part of a unique international pilgrimage program. Since the 1950s groups have been arriving from Great Britain, Ireland, eastern Europe, the West Indies and since 1998…the USA!
Each year, 10-15 children and young adults with special physical and developmental needs travel to Lourdes with ASCPG. There they join with 2,000 special needs pilgrims for a truly life-changing experience. What makes the pilgrimage unique is that the young people travel with without their parents; instead, caring volunteers from all walks of life — doctors, nurses, priests, professionals, retirees, teachers, carpenters, students – travel with and care for them in a family-type atmosphere. These helpers pay part of their own way and work tirelessly to raise the funds for every special pilgrim to experience Lourdes free-of-charge.
What will these young people gain from such an experience? If it’s true that the real healing power of Lourdes can be seen in a person’s spirit, then the benefits are incalculable:
* a new awareness of themselves and others
* a sense of camaraderie with others from around the world who share some of their obstacles
* a feeling of independence as they “make it on their own” without parents
* an appreciation of other peoples and cultures
* deep friendships with members of their travel groups
* a week-long immersion in French life
* and joyful memories to last a lifetime
And helpers are often surprised at how their lives are forever changed by an ASCPG pilgrimage. One veteran volunteer, a schoolteacher, said, “I think our Blessed Mother sent me on this journey, not only to be a helper, but to see through the children’s eyes the beauty that is all around us…all the time…no matter where we are, and to see the joy that others bring into our lives in many different ways.”
