OMV Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026

About:

Easter is a time for reflection, celebration, and spending time with those you cherish and value. That’s why we’re very excited to be organising our OMV Easter pilgrimage again this year. The 2026 pilgrimage will be taking place the weekend after Holy week at Aylesford Priory. Here, the picturesque grounds are the perfect place for spring walks, picnics and Easter egg hunts. We will also be visiting a nearby farm, Kent Life, to pet and feed their animals, take part in some arts and crafts, and hold the iconic OMV talent show and party. With mass and time for reflecting with the priory friars, this activity promises to be relaxing and reflective as well as a lot of fun. The perfect joy (and chocolate) filled Easter weekend! 
 

The Easter Pilgrimage 2026 is from 10th to 212th April and organised by Lara Defries and Chad Wells. Applications for volunteers are open, and we would love to have you join us.
 

Volunteer requirements

1. Minimum age – all volunteers must be 17 or over.
2. First Aid Training – volunteers must have undertaken First Aid training by attending the OMV training day.
3. DBS checks – all volunteers must have valid DBS clearance through BASMOM or other entities with “enhanced clearance”. Volunteers will complete a DBS form at the OMV training day. Please note that if you do not have a valid DBS form you will not be able to attend.
4. Safeguarding – all volunteers will need to take a safeguarding test ahead of the pilgrimage. This is an online test and will be circulated to volunteers closer to our departure date.

Training Day

The OMV Training Day will be held on Monday 26th May 2025. 
 

Costs

The cost of this activity is £135 for volunteers. Could all medics, chaplains and volunteers wishing to stay offsite please email the activity organisers for discount information. 
 

Bursaries

The OMV Bursary Scheme is there to help those who would not be otherwise able to.

As a charity, OMV has a limited bursary fund and bursaries are made at the Treasurer’s discretion.

We would strongly advise you to seek other forms of financial support from your family, school, university, parish or workplace before applying for a bursary.

If you would like to apply for a bursary for this activity, please get in touch with the OMV Treasurer at treasurer@omv.org.uk

The OMV has a bursary policy on our website which you can access here for more information: https://www.omv.org.uk/contact/policies/

More information

For more information, please contact Lara Defries & Chad Wells on  easter_pilgrimage@omv.org.uk