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The Redshirts are officially known as the Lourdes Youth Service Group, but they are nicknamed ‘the redshirts’ for reasons which aren’t too difficult to figure out.

The role of the Redshirts is to provide a welcome at the Masses and other events of the pilgrimage and to serve people in many other ways.

Over 200 young people have been Redshirts since the group first travelled to Lourdes independently in 2005.

Applications have closed for 2009, but from the Autumn you will be able to find out about being a part of the group in 2010 – If you’re in year 10 or year 11 (2009-10) that is…

A week in Lourdes

Those who are selected for the Redshirts spend a lot of time together before the week preparing and getting to know each other.

In late July, one day before the rest of the pilgrimage departs, the Redshirts meet in Crawley and load themselves and their luggage into a coach. 24 short hours later, they arrive in Lourdes and get busy.

After settling in in the hotel, the first main task in Lourdes is to welcome the A&B train – which carries the rest of the Pilgrimage – in to the main train station in Lourdes. This is the first of many chances to serve in a very busy and rewarding week.

The famous Red Carpet

One of the most visible things that the Redshirts do during the week is to create a line to welcome pilgrims to the Masses. As pilgrims arrive, they are greeted by the Redshirts, who also help to set up the venues and sing s few songs during the Masses too.

There are many other ways in which the Redshirts serve during the week. Groups of redshirts often go to hotel groups to spend time with pilgrims, spend time with them on events, lead activities (like the Stations of the Cross).

In giving we receive

The purpose of the Redshirts isn’t just to serve though. Service is a huge part of it, and service is the mechanism which makes everything else happen. But the Redshirts get far more out of it than they give. Partly because service is such a beautiful thing to do, but mainly because the friendships made during the week and the memories will last for years.

There are also times of Catechises during the week in Lourdes to help the redshirts to reflect on what they are seeing and experiencing, and to help them in their journey toward God.