HCPT
Encyclopedia
HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust is a United Kingdom
based charity
which takes children with special needs on pilgrimage
to the shrine
of Our Lady of Lourdes
, in Lourdes
, France
.
From HCPT grew the Hosanna House Trust, which was the response to a request from young adults for an opportunity to experience a similar holiday to that of the children. Today, Hosanna House, the Trust's residential centre just outside Lourdes in Bartrès
, takes nearly 2,000 pilgrims in groups of 40 to 50, many of whom have disabilities or special needs. These guests stay for a week between Easter and November.
In 1998 HCPT and the Hosanna House Trust were combined as "HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust".
. A further 2000 people stay at Hosanna House each year, in Groups of 40 to 45. These groups welcome people of all ages.
HCPT also owns a villa in Bartrès, near Hosanna House. This is a self catering house for up to 18 people which is accessible and available to all throughout the year.
and gives people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to experience a thoroughly enjoyable group holiday.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
based charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
which takes children with special needs on pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
to the shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
of Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes is the name used to refer to the Marian apparition said to have appeared before various individuals on separate occasions around Lourdes, France...
, in Lourdes
Lourdes
Lourdes is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in south-western France.Lourdes is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
History
HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust is a charity which was formed in 1956 when Dr. Michael Strode first took four children with disabilities on a pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes, establishing a new approach to pilgrimage for children with disabilities.From HCPT grew the Hosanna House Trust, which was the response to a request from young adults for an opportunity to experience a similar holiday to that of the children. Today, Hosanna House, the Trust's residential centre just outside Lourdes in Bartrès
Bartrès
Bartrès is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.The village is famous for its association with St Bernadette Soubirous. St. Bernadette was sent there in her infancy to a wet nurse, and again in her early teens to work for the same lady as a shepherdess...
, takes nearly 2,000 pilgrims in groups of 40 to 50, many of whom have disabilities or special needs. These guests stay for a week between Easter and November.
In 1998 HCPT and the Hosanna House Trust were combined as "HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust".
Pilgrimages today
HCPT takes around 2000 children from the UK and Ireland for a week in Lourdes. The total size of the Easter Pilgrimage is around 5000, which includes all helpers, nurses, doctors and chaplains. The trips usually last a week and take place during EasterEaster
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
. A further 2000 people stay at Hosanna House each year, in Groups of 40 to 45. These groups welcome people of all ages.
HCPT also owns a villa in Bartrès, near Hosanna House. This is a self catering house for up to 18 people which is accessible and available to all throughout the year.
Activities
The holiday pilgrimage is centred around the international shrine of Our Lady of LourdesOur Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes is the name used to refer to the Marian apparition said to have appeared before various individuals on separate occasions around Lourdes, France...
and gives people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to experience a thoroughly enjoyable group holiday.