{"id":826881,"date":"2024-06-24T14:22:29","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T12:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/benevoles-lourdes\/"},"modified":"2024-06-26T14:55:13","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T12:55:13","slug":"benevoles-lourdes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/en\/benevoles-lourdes\/","title":{"rendered":"Meeting with volunteers from Lourdes"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"826881\" class=\"elementor elementor-826881 elementor-826245\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-00c3bc9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"00c3bc9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-75c9f24\" data-id=\"75c9f24\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e018ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e018ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\"Welcome, serve, love\u201d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4c5439a1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4c5439a1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4be3fe64\" data-id=\"4be3fe64\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5da31489 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5da31489\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The volunteers at the Sanctuary of Lourdes play an indispensable role in welcoming and facilitating the stay of millions of pilgrims and tourists.<br \/>These volunteers from all over the world embody the spirit of Lourdes through their dedication and generosity. Their service can be summed up in three words: \u201cwelcome, serve, love.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5aafe53 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5aafe53\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f63e8cc\" data-id=\"f63e8cc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11a8985 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11a8985\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/en\/benevole\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Volunteers<\/a> <span style=\"color: #000000;\">from different backgrounds and of all ages come for a minimum of one week. Around a hundred of them come regularly throughout the year and live locally near Lourdes.<\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The team is made up of around twenty volunteers each day, a number that doubles during the summer. The<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sanctuary<\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> is particularly busy in April, May and August, as well as during religious festivals. It is at these times that the presence of volunteers is essential.<\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The <strong>two Muriels and Thomas<\/strong> make up the team at the International Volunteer Centre. They take a keen interest in building bonds between volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6072fa9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6072fa9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"673\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-2-1-768x673.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-826580\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9voles\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-2-1-768x673.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-2-1-300x263.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-2-1.jpg 853w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The two Muriels and Thomas in front of the International Volunteer Centre<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5c8f0ffa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5c8f0ffa\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-450d0f9c\" data-id=\"450d0f9c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-238f0a83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"238f0a83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A diverse role<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e556375 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e556375\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Volunteers carry out a wide range of essential tasks at the Sanctuary. Here are a few examples:<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b64e908 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b64e908\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d6561e\" data-id=\"3d6561e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40499ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"40499ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Welcoming and providing information for pilgrims at the entrances to the Sanctuary: as the first point of contact with visitors, volunteers guide them, direct them and answer their questions.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c65c6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8c65c6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-3-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826468\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9voles inform\u00e9s\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Nadine and Piedad giving information to a family<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8b41179\" data-id=\"8b41179\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc4f291 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc4f291\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Facilitating the accompaniment of pilgrims in different parts of the Sanctuary: welcoming them to the chapels of light, guiding them and supervising their waiting in the confession chapel&#8230;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcc56ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bcc56ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-4-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826475\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Irene shows how to light a candle next to the Virgin Mary<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d8b03b8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d8b03b8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f54b95f\" data-id=\"f54b95f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-600ea69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"600ea69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Pastoral leadership: <\/strong>Volunteers accompany pilgrims on different trails, such as \u201cDiscovering the Sanctuary\u201d, \u201cIn Bernadette&#8217;s Footsteps\u201d, Stations of the Cross&#8230;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fb6f69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7fb6f69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"852\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-6-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826504\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-6-1.jpg 852w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-6-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 852px) 100vw, 852px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Christian guides pilgrims along the trail \u201cIn Bernadette's footsteps\u201d<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-13d6989\" data-id=\"13d6989\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79f1b6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79f1b6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>More \u201ctechnical\u201d tasks: <\/strong>Volunteers help out with certain services such as arranging bouquets, sewing, archiving, preparing torches, etc.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-816b607 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"816b607\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-7-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826496\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-7-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-7-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-7-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Theotime arranges and waters the carnations at the feet of the Crowned Virgin to mark the month of Mary<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc0fda6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc0fda6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7213e79\" data-id=\"7213e79\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f01b70 elementor--h-position-center elementor--v-position-middle elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-inside elementor-widget elementor-widget-slides\" data-id=\"4f01b70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:6000,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;transition&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;transition_speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"slides.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-slides-wrapper elementor-main-swiper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Slides\" dir=\"ltr\" data-animation=\"fadeInUp\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper elementor-slides\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-ee7fa83 swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">Anne-Marie helps pilgrims light a candle<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-fcbec4b swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9voles\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">Rose and Stefano guide pilgrims to the confession chapels<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-ac3b2d7 swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9voles\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">Marie-Lorraine and Elisabeth prepare the palms that will be given to pilgrims on Palm Sunday<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-2f67f24 swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">Robert replenishes the rack of water flasks so that pilgrims can fill them with Lourdes water<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-671284d8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"671284d8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9a056fd\" data-id=\"9a056fd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d4ec54b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d4ec54b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Experience great joy<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13faadd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"13faadd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Volunteers bring that \u201clittle extra\u201d to pilgrims, who appreciate their presence. What starts as a simple request for information can turn into a slightly more in-depth discussion. \u201cPeople often say to me: &#8216;You don&#8217;t know how much good this time with you has done me&#8217;\u201d, says Anne-Marie, a volunteer for 18 years.<\/p><p>By giving their time and energy, the volunteers experience great joy. They meet pilgrims from all over the world.<\/p><p>They also forge close bonds with one another. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/en\/benevole\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The International Volunteer Centre<\/a> is one big family. All the volunteers are on a first-name basis, which makes it easier to get to know each other.<\/p><p>There are frequent get-togethers. They meet formally or informally to pray, to share a drink, a coffee, a discussion&#8230;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d48706 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d48706\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-419716e\" data-id=\"419716e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eccc33c elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eccc33c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every Tuesday, a get-together is organised at Martha and Mary, their home where they sleep, pray and socialise!<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The two Muriels and Thomas are always on hand to ensure a warm welcome.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ae84603 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ae84603\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b32fe62\" data-id=\"b32fe62\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61fdce6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"61fdce6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-10-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826604\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9voles\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-10-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-10-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-10-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-10-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-10-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A friendly get-together at the volunteer centre <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8074dd4\" data-id=\"8074dd4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41e4a91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"41e4a91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-11-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826611\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9voles go\u00fbter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-11-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-11-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-11-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-11-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-11-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Tuesday get-together<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-36c365ab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"36c365ab\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-61a5704f\" data-id=\"61a5704f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54bc45c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"54bc45c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Training and integration of volunteers<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e05892d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e05892d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>New volunteers receive training when they arrive. This is divided into several phases: technical training (introductory videos and on the job training, presentation of the different missions), as well as pastoral training (life of Bernadette, catechesis on the message of Lourdes, participation in the international mass and the mass for volunteers).<\/p><p>They also have time off, which allows them to take some time for themselves and discover the region.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-be2df8f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"be2df8f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-77539fb9\" data-id=\"77539fb9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ccf94ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5ccf94ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What they have to say<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1272b55 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1272b55\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bd5be73\" data-id=\"bd5be73\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e26970e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e26970e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-12-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826628\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-12-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-12-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-12-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-12-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-12-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7288136\" data-id=\"7288136\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2f65c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b2f65c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Anne-Marie<\/span><\/h4><h5><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cFor the last 18 years, I&#8217;ve been coming here one day a week. Serving at the Sanctuary makes me happy, and allows me to forget my day-to-day worries. I help the pilgrims and those who are struggling. The conversations can be intense, and it&#8217;s essential to be present and to listen.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d3ab58 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d3ab58\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6045b86\" data-id=\"6045b86\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c471188 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c471188\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Th\u00e9otime<\/span><\/h4><h5><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m a student in Paris. After two weeks hiking in the Pyrenees, which I started in Hendaye, I arrived here a bit by accident and discovered the option of becoming a volunteer. I really enjoyed giving up my time this week.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-917d4ef\" data-id=\"917d4ef\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76d7d10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"76d7d10\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-13-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826638\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-13-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-13-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-13-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-13-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7d3f8b2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7d3f8b2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2734702\" data-id=\"2734702\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a957d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6a957d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mario-copie-768x597.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-826721\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mario-copie-768x597.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mario-copie-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mario-copie-1024x796.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mario-copie-1536x1195.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mario-copie-2048x1593.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c14f00d\" data-id=\"c14f00d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e30ae77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e30ae77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mario<\/span><\/h4><h5><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI&#8217;ve been a volunteer for 3 months. Being here was my dream. It&#8217;s an honour and a pleasure to serve Mary. I love being in contact with people and serving them. Sometimes they confide in me, sharing their emotions and their pain. People who are suffering inside and out come to the Sanctuary. Volunteering is unique because you&#8217;re in contact with pilgrims.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-97b0b72 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"97b0b72\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42af9eb\" data-id=\"42af9eb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd25b1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fd25b1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Philippe<\/span><\/h4><h5><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI used to work on cruise ships. Now I don&#8217;t travel any more, but the world comes to me through the pilgrims I meet from all over the world.<\/span><\/em><\/h5><h5><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I&#8217;ve been volunteering at Lourdes for ten years now, and six times I&#8217;ve been godfather to people I&#8217;ve met here. One of them was a young man from Lyon who came into the Sanctuary one day and asked me what was going on here. After I explained what was happening, he told me that he had been impelled to take the train to Lourdes, that he was an atheist and knew nothing about religion. I took him to the Grotto, then he asked me some questions and I directed him to a priest. Back in Lyon, he decided to follow the catechumenate and asked me to be his godfather.<\/span><\/em><\/h5><h5><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The other people I have sponsored come from different backgrounds. One of them had just spent seven months in prison; I met her during a procession and asked her to help us carry the torches. I then helped her find a home.<\/span><\/em><\/h5><h5><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For me, the best thing is to be out in the field, in contact with people. It&#8217;s a great way to meet people. What&#8217;s more, we&#8217;re lucky enough to have the two Muriels and Thomas, who are fantastic. There&#8217;s faith and a real family spirit here.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-aa6824b\" data-id=\"aa6824b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1baddd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1baddd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"980\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-philippe-a-modifier-1-1024x980.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-826769\" alt=\"B\u00e9n\u00e9vole\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-philippe-a-modifier-1-1024x980.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-philippe-a-modifier-1-300x287.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-philippe-a-modifier-1-768x735.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-philippe-a-modifier-1-1536x1470.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lourdes-france.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Photo-philippe-a-modifier-1-2048x1960.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Volunteers at the Sanctuary of Lourdes play an important role in welcoming and facilitating the stay of pilgrims and tourists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":826866,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-826881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-currently"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.0 (Yoast SEO v26.3) - 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