We have been making every effort to promote this year’s Welsh National Pilgrimage to Lourdes, and in terms of pilgrim numbers the response has been good. Sadly, our appeal for nursing and medical personnel has not been as successful. We have not been able to obtain the number of medical assistants required to guarantee the safety of our assisted pilgrims. Therefore, we reluctantly have to announce that this year we will only be able to include a limited number of assisted pilgrims, which is commensurate with the smaller number of medical personnel and adult helpers at our disposal. Assisted pilgrims will stay as usual in the St Frai Hospital. It is felt that the care of a larger number of assisted pilgrims would be greatly compromised without an adequate level of medical support. Hence the restriction on numbers that has been forced on us.
This will be a great disappointment to many, not least of all the assisted pilgrims, who are such an important dimension of our Pilgrimage. But it also demonstrates that we will not take any risks at all in our approach to caring for the assisted pilgrims as they need and deserve.
Yet, the Pilgrimage will go ahead. Although the numbers of those needing full nursing and medical care in the St Frai will have to be limited this year, we will still be able to offer assistance to those in need of mobility support.
Those who are able to stay in hotels, rather than needing the full services of the St Frai, are still warmly welcomed to take part in the Welsh National. Our younger helpers will continue as usual to offer appropriate support where it is needed. The presence of all our helpers is so much appreciated. All the rest will be the same as usual. A full pilgrimage programme will still be offered.
We realise the disappointment that many will feel. But we will reunite our efforts to obtain the full nursing facilities that are needed for future years. We will continue to put ourselves in the hands of Our Lady, and ask you all for your prayers.
WNP Core Group
