The Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust was formed in 1956 after a young doctor, Michael Strode, first took children with disabilities on a pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes. At the same time he revolutionised the way children with disabilities could experience a trip to this famous international shrine in the foothills of the French Pyrenees.
Not content with letting children stay in the usual hospitals and hospices, Dr. Michael wanted them to stay in hotels. As honoured guests they would be able to get as much out of their holiday as other children - trips to cafes, a donkey ride in the mountains and the warmth and affection of a holiday amongst caring friends.
Forty years later, HCPT and the Irish Trust (IHCPT: founded 1972) takes around 2000 children each year to Lourdes from the UK, Ireland and increasingly from other countries. The children have a wide range of special needs physical, mental, social or emotional. The young people are cared for by voluntary helpers, including doctors, nurses and chaplains, most of whom pay for themselves.
The total size of the Easter Pilgrimage is now about 5000; of whom 1000 come from the Irish trust. the largest pilgrimage from the UK and Ireland and probably the largest children's pilgrimage from any country. There is a smaller pilgrimage at Whitsun.
The holiday pilgrimage is naturally centered around the
international shrine of Our Lady at Lourdes.
It gives children and young people aged 7- 18, with many types of
disability or special needs, the opportunity to experience a
really stimulating and highly enjoyable group holiday with the
reassurance of 'one to one' help
From HCPT grew the Hosanna House Trust.
This was the response to a request from young adults with
disabilities for an opportunity to experience a holiday similar
to the children's pilgrimage.
Today, Hosanna House, the Trust's residential centre in
Bartres,
just outside Lourdes, takes nearly
2000 pilgrims each year. They go in groups of 40 to 50. Many of
them have disabilities or special needs. These guests stay for a
week between Easter and Novenber.
|
|
Hosanna House at Bartres |
|
Links to other HCPT sites |