Lourdes 2026 - 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee'

A group of 33 students and 4 staff from Notre Dame answered the call and journeyed in pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady where they supported assisted pilgrims from the Leeds Faith and Light Group throughout the week. For all pilgrims, Lourdes is a place of service, the able bodied serve the infirm who in turn serve by allowing others to serve them. Notre Dame students found that through these acts of service they grew in faith. Faith Officer, Charlotte Mendy reflected on her experience:

"I have never felt so close to our Blessed Mother as I did in Lourdes. From the moment I arrived, I felt as though I was wrapped in her mantle. She was everywhere throughout the city—in the statues, the images, and the many reminders of her loving presence. 

At first, I saw Lourdes simply as one of the places where Our Lady appeared. However, as the days passed, I began to experience her presence in a much deeper way. During the torchlight processions, as everyone sang the Ave Maria, I felt as though she was truly there, smiling upon us. It reminded me that her words to Saint Bernadette continue to bear fruit today. I knew she was interceding for us, praying for her children and drawing us closer to her Son. 

One of the greatest blessings of the pilgrimage was serving others. Assisting pilgrims with mobility difficulties and accompanying them to the Grotto and other places of prayer taught me patience, humility, compassion, and what it truly means to serve Christ through His people. 

This pilgrimage has been one of the greatest blessings of my life and is a memory I will treasure forever. It helped me grow closer to God through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Mary, while allowing me to witness the beauty of the universal Church. I was also blessed to build new friendships with people from different places who share the same faith. 

Lourdes has inspired me to continue striving for holiness and to follow Christ more faithfully each day. My faith has been strengthened, and I feel encouraged to continue responding to God’s call in my life."