Pilgrims keep the faith as religious holidays flourish

WITH fewer and fewer people putting their faith in the Government, it seems more and more people are putting their faith in God.

According to Ireland’s leading tour operator, Joe Walsh Tours, pilgrimage holidays are becoming increasingly popular.

About 40,000 Irish people from all walks of life take time out of their daily lives each year to recharge the body and soul at Europe’s most popular pilgrimage destinations.

Given that the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show the number of us taking overseas holidays is down more than 10% in the first four months of this year, the fact the numbers going on pilgrimages abroad has remained steady is, one might say, a miracle.

According to Joe Walsh Tours, the top five pilgrim destinations are Lourdes, Medjugorie, Fatima, San Giovanni Rotondo and the Shrines of France.

Managing director of Joe Walsh Tours, David Walsh, said the fact that Irish people continued to travel abroad on pilgrimages was “remarkable”.

“Given that holiday sales are down across the board, it’s pretty remarkable in lots of ways. The numbers travelling would be on a par with last year and have been pretty steady since 2006,” he said.

Mr Walsh said people who went on pilgrimages tended to be in the over-55 years bracket and went on such pilgrimages annually.

“Without pigeonholing people, a lot of the people who go on pilgrimages tend to go every year. Last year the numbers going to Lourdes were up as it was the 150th anniversary of the apparition there.

“This year, the figure is holding steady while the numbers going to Medjugorie are actually up,” he said.

Mr Walsh said part of the reason for the numbers remaining steady was due to good offers and the fact that many groups participate in fundraising drives.

“A lot of the groups that travel, particularly to Lourdes, take part in weekly collections and fundraising to help take people over that are not well. Added to that is the fact that the cost of fuel is down and there are a lot of decent offers out there,” he said.