With less than 75 days until the 2026 Lourdes Pilgrimage, preparations are fully underway. Our clergy team has been confirmed, the medical team (doctors and nurses) is finalized, and the Lourdes Selection Committee has identified the  group of pilgrims traveling both by charter and commercial flights.

Our goal for the 2026 Pilgrimage is a total of 375 pilgrims, including our cherished malades and their caregivers. This number is intentional and based on experience. Over the years, we have traveled with both larger and smaller groups, and 375 has proven to be the ideal size—allowing us to properly care for our malades while ensuring that everyone has a meaningful and active week in Lourdes.

The 375 pilgrims will include:

• 50 malades
• 54 caregivers
• 10 chaplains
• 3 bishops, archbishops, and/or cardinals
• 35 doctors and nurses
• 8 student nurses
• 15 Auxiliary members
• 20 core team members (security, traffic, music, office staff, etc.)
• 180 Knights, Dames, YOF members, and volunteers

Of the 180 Knights, Dames, and volunteers, along with the 15 Auxiliary members, 60 individuals will be selected to serve as charioteers. While we care for 50 malades, experience has shown that having additional charioteers allows us to better support pilgrims who may need extra assistance. The remaining pilgrims are selected to ensure a healthy balance of first-time and experienced participants, with representation from all Areas. Those placed on a hold list will be invited to attend if openings arise due to cancellations. For 2026, any and all pilgrims who were on last year’s hold list have been invited, and this approach will continue in the future.

As the pilgrimage approaches, we are confirming the group of malades and caregivers, confirming flight details with our charter airline and JFK, finalize the Pilgrimage schedule, participating in the International Coordinators’ Meeting in Lourdes, assigning teams, assembling the “black book,” and continuing detailed planning for the journey ahead.

Please feel free to call or email us with any questions. We eagerly look forward to being together in Lourdes once again—to serve our malades and joyfully proclaim, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!”

With love,

Mitch and Stacey, Lourdes Pilgrimage Co-Presidents