Pilgrimage to Lourdes

The pilgrims, along with various nurses and assistants, are leaving for the famed religious site in France on May 17.

They will stay there for five days, and while there will engage in various activities, such as going to the baths and attending Mass ceremonies.

Gerard Mitchell, who has been helping on the trip for the last 14 years, said: “It’s not so much a miracle cure but just five days for the sick, where they come first.

“Also, there’s a great sense of community and of helping people who otherwise people haven’t got time for.”

There will be 22 people from the Lurgan area heading away on the pilgrimage and various fundraising efforts have been made to successfully raise the 20,000 required to be able to take them away.

The group will leave St Paul’s Church and will be away from May 17-22 and any donation would be gratefully received.