Faith and spirituality

HCPT's torchlight procession

HCPT is a charity with its roots in the Catholic faith. We have a vision of "changing lives through pilgrimage, sharing God's gifts of love, friendship and joy".

The charity exists to help our pilgrims answer Mary's call to come to Lourdes in procession, a request she made to us through Bernadette.

We come from all walks of life, and from all faiths and none. Our services are open to all.

While many of our volunteer helpers are practising Catholics or have been brought up within the Catholic church, this is not a requirement. Many non-catholic helpers return to Lourdes with us year after year.

Many describe their HCPT pilgrimage holiday as a "spiritual" experience. For some this is rooted in their religious beliefs, for others it is purely about the positive effects of caring, sharing and seeing the world from the point of view of others.

Masses form an important part of the HCPT experience. These are designed with our pilgrims in mind, and the worship is always lively.

Website of the Catholic Church of England Wales

Website of the Catholic Church of Scotland

Website of The Vatican

HCPT Trust Prayer

The HCPT Trust Prayer is said at HCPT events and was written by former Trust Chaplain Father Perry Gildea.

Dear Loving God, in Lourdes,
Where Mary came and spoke with Bernadette,
She showed your love for us
In a wonderful way.
Thank you for touching us
With your love.
Help us to bring your love
To all those we are able to help,
Especially our families, our friends,
And all those we meet in the Trust
Always and forever.
Amen.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

St Bernadette, pray for us.