Who we are
HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION
The association les pèlerins de Notre Dame du Mont Carmel (PNDM) de Meaux, placed under the patronage of Notre Dame du Mont Carmel, is a Catholic association under the French law of 1901, created in 2010 with the following aims: solidarity and mutual aid between members, help for people in difficulty, pilgrimages and humanitarian actions.
We are part of the spirituality of the Discalced Carmelites and the Discalced Nuns of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
Since 2010, we’ve been organizing pilgrimages all over France and abroad, with the main aim of evangelizing and providing better spiritual support for participants. An average of 15 pilgrimages a year, by coach and plane, including a number to Italy to visit exorcist priests for deliverances and healing masses.
During our first pilgrimage to LEBANON in 2019, we had an exceptional encounter with the saints of Lebanon, in particular Saint Charbel and Saint Rafqa. And since our return, we’ve decided to hold masses in honor of St Charbel every 22nd of the month: initially at the Carmelite monastery in Meaux, then, as the numbers grew, in Paris in larger churches. With COVID having shut down all pilgrimages, we decided to maintain a link between us by multiplying masses, notably of the Precious Blood, Cutting of Bonds, Reparation, Holy Spirit (Effusion) and since October 1, 2022 healing masses in the Paris region itself. After an exceptional experience on November 1, 2021 in Medjugorje (BOSNIA), we have decided to also offer Masses of renunciation. (In April 2022, we made a long pilgrimage to Italy, which took us to Luisa Piccarreta in CORATO. The Luisa de CORATO association then put us in touch with the AFLP in France, with whom we have been organizing monthly Divine Will teachings for the benefit of souls in the Paris region since May 2022.
Today, we organize successive Masses and pilgrimages in France and around the world. The association supports priests abroad, in particular in Guinea Conakry, Congo Brazzaville and Togo, helping them to celebrate thirty Masses and supporting three orphanages in Africa. Since May 2022, Saint Charbel and Saint Padre PIO have become co-patrons of our association, and were made official in the Holy Land at Mount Carmel on July 16, 2022, the feast of our patron saint, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, during a mass at the place where Saint Elijah lived. To date, almost one thousand two hundred (1200) people follow our activities in France and around the world.
WHAT OUR STATUTES SAY ABOUT OUR FAITH
The Association "Les Pèlerins de Notre-Dame du Mont Carmel": popular piety rooted in the faith of the Church
A community on the move in faith:
The Association “Les Pèlerins de Notre-Dame du Mont Carmel” is a group of faithful Catholics – men and women, young and old, people from all walks of life – united by a common desire to live out their faith in a way that is incarnate, joyful and deeply faithful to the Gospel. They come from a wide range of socio-cultural, geographical and ecclesial backgrounds. These pilgrims share a common aspiration: to follow Christ, Master and Lord, in the footsteps of Mary, drawing on the authentic expressions of Catholic popular piety.
They pray, sing, walk, meditate, visit the sick, organize spiritual events in their parishes, and above all, participate fervently in Sunday mass, which is the heart of their baptismal life. The group is also supported by times of teaching and spiritual formation that nourish their faith in depth.
Members of the association remain fully rooted in the life of their parish, family and society. The sacrament of reconciliation occupies a central and irreplaceable place at every gathering, celebration or mission, both at home and abroad. The priests accompanying the association are attentive to the needs of the faithful during these encounters.
Popular piety in accordance with the Word of God :
This group is not content to express an outward or superficial faith. Their piety is deeply biblical. Every gesture they make, every blessed object they use, every spiritual step they take is informed by the Holy Scriptures.
They regularly meditate on the Word of God, in particular :
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-56), a model of pilgrimage and service;
Mary’s fiat (Lk 1:38), which members seek to embody in their daily lives;
The unceasing prayer of the early Church (Acts 1:14; 1 Thess 5:17);
The communion of saints, inviting them to invoke Mary and the saints with filial trust (Heb 12.1; Rev 5.8).
They are fully aware that popular piety is not a compensation or an alternative to faith, but a living and authentic expression of it, deeply rooted in Divine Revelation.
Fidelity to Tradition and the Magisterium :
The Pilgrims of Our Lady of Mount Carmel are distinguished by their sincere attachment to the living Tradition of the Church. For them, faith is not constructed according to fashions: it is received, contemplated and deepened in the light of holy history and the wisdom of the saints.
They fully recognize the authority of the Church Fathers, ecumenical councils, popes and bishops in communion with the See of Rome. The association’s leaders see themselves neither as self-proclaimed prophets, nor as exalted visionaries. They are, quite simply, servants animated by faith and guided by the Holy Spirit. There is no illuminism, no cult of personality, no sectarianism.
Their motto could be that of St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Sentire cum Ecclesia ” – to feel with the Church.
They are inspired by the Magisterium’s teachings on popular piety, in particular:
The Directory on Popular Piety and Liturgy (2001),
Paul VI’s apostolic exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi,
John Paul II’s apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae,
And Pope Francis’ exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, which celebrates the ” theology on our knees ” of the people.
There is no room for superstition or guru-type aberrations:
The association is scrupulous about the authenticity of its faith. It categorically rejects all forms of superstition: blessed objects are not regarded as magical talismans; saints are not invoked as automatic dispensers of favors; promises to God are never haggled over.
Apparitions, dreams and private revelations are always examined with caution, in a spirit of ecclesial discernment. The association remains attentive to the directives and decisions of Church authorities in this regard.
Likewise, it guards against any form of abuse of power or spiritual domination. Those in charge are humble guides, not absolute masters. All spiritual practices and approaches are subject to the Church’s discernment.
Faith here is neither spectacle nor emotional manipulation. It is permanent conversion, listening, and union with Christ in truth.
A faith nourished, transmitted and missionary:
Pilgrims don’t keep their faith to themselves. They strive to share it, humbly and joyfully, in their families, their neighborhoods, their parishes.
They organize community rosaries, Marian novenas, catecheses open to all, processions, as well as visits to the sick and disadvantaged, in coordination with the association’s leaders.
Every action aims to bring hearts closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, under the constant inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Their mission: to heal divisions, proclaim the Good News, and bear witness to God’s tenderness for every person.
Spiritual fruits :
Because of their fidelity to the Church and their rootedness in living Tradition, there is no shortage of spiritual fruit:
Inner peace,
Greater trust in God and prayer,
Renewed attachment to the sacraments,
Generous commitment to community service,
A deep love of the Word of God.
Testimonials :
This section is open to all those who wish to bear witness to the way in which Marian piety, lived with the Pilgrims of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, has nourished and transformed their lives.
♦ In 2013, I experienced an episode of acute delusions with a paranoid component, caused by severe drug intoxication as part of the treatment for my idiopathic hypersomnia. It was during this dark night that I began to return to the Church, in particular by reciting the rosary and attending mass, as a complement to my medical treatment. Stricken by a deep depression, in 2017 I found a warm welcome with the Pilgrims of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. After several years of prayer, pilgrimages and Masses with them, I am now free, healed and at peace. Thank you, Lord. Thank you Mother Mary. – Didier
♦ It’s been almost 3 years that I’ve known about the association Pèlerins Notre dame du Mont-Carmel. I give thanks to GOD for having introduced me to this association. Through the various masses organized by the association, I received graces, and especially the precious blood mass organized every month. I came out of that mass transformed. An indescribable joy came over me. I had inner peace. I felt like hugging everyone as I left the church, telling them that Jesus exists.
The many novenas offered on a regular basis also strengthened me, especially one in February 2023, which moved me. I had the impression that the Lord was revealing things to me about my life.
All the pilgrimages I’ve taken part in have borne fruit. The last pilgrimage I made to Medjugorje at the end of April this year, through the intensity of my prayers, enabled some members of my family to be reconciled.
I hope that the Notre Dame du Mont-Carmel pilgrims’ association will continue to do all it can for its members and adherents, particularly through the various Masses, novenas, pilgrimages and other activities. I’ve never felt oppressed or obliged to do anything. I feel at home with this association. – Marlène
♦ Jessica, 29 – I heard about Les Pèlerins Notre-Dame du Mont Carmel through a friend. I first took part in a pilgrimage to southern Italy, on the occasion of the Jubilee. This pilgrimage was a real blessing for me: it edified me, helped me grow in my faith and reconciled me with myself. Since then, I’ve taken part in several Masses organized by the association, some of the most beautiful I’ve ever experienced. God’s presence is palpable, thanks in particular to the preparatory prayers and Eucharistic adoration. At one of them, in honor of Saint Joseph, a torchlight procession – just like at Lourdes – made a deep impression on my heart.
The association also offers very enriching conferences, which touched me deeply. They helped me realize that certain wounds within me needed to be healed, and that this inner work had to be carried out in the light of God, without evasion or accusation.
Today, I can say with joy and gratitude that this association offers events rooted in faith, which transform hearts. These high points have helped me in my quest for a more authentic relationship with God. I give thanks for this encounter and for all that it has already brought me.
Conclusion
In a world often misled by tumult, false promises and spiritual illusions, the Pilgrims of Our Lady of Mount Carmel bear witness to the fact that it is possible to live a simple, beautiful and profound faith, rooted in the Holy Scriptures. Through their faithful and enlightened piety, they show that the Gospel can touch both simple hearts and souls scarred by life. The Church’s Tradition, handed down from the earliest centuries, remains alive today thanks to them. Popular piety, purified and guided by the Church, can lead to that everyday holiness so dear to the late Pope Francis. May Mary, Queen of Carmel, accompany them on their journey.
And may it also accompany all those who, in humility of heart, seek God through the simple and profound gestures of faith lived in communion with the Church, its priests, its bishops and its Pope.
ASSOCIATION LES PELERINS DE NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SALE
1. REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT
Registration for the pilgrimage offered by the association les pèlerins de Notre Dame du Mont Carmel de Meaux is final upon receipt of the completed, dated and signed registration form (BI). Registration implies full acceptance of these conditions of participation and unreserved acceptance of all their provisions. The surname, first name(s) and date of birth communicated at the time of registration must be strictly identical to the information appearing on the passport or national identity card (CNI) used for the member, as well as any other required document (visa, etc.).
Last name – First name and cell phone number required
Terms of payment :
Major Pilgrimages:
Registration more than 40 days before departure:
Minimum deposit of €50 per person when booking.
The balance must be paid no later than 20 days before departure.
Bus pilgrimages :
For pilgrimages by bus, your registration will be definitively withdrawn 10 days before the trip if the balance has not been paid.
Registration within 20 days of departure :
Payment of the full cost of the pilgrimage at the time of registration, by cheque or cash. The above payment terms apply unless otherwise stipulated in the IB. The balance of the pilgrimage price must be paid without reminder. Non-payment of either the deposit or the balance of the trip price may be considered as a cancellation, for which the cancellation fee schedule in the general conditions of participation will be applied.
2. SERVICES AND PRICES
Our prices include (unless otherwise indicated on the BI):
– Application and registration fees ;
– Air and ground transportation as mentioned in the program;
– Taxes known on the day of registration ;
– Accommodation (based on double room and half board, category indicated corresponding to local standards);
– Programmed visits and excursions not mentioned as optional.
– Priests’ offering. Our prices do not include :
– Visa and passport fees ;
– Transportation costs from home to the meeting point and back;
– Meals mentioned, drinks ;
– Optional tours and excursions ;
– Single room supplement ;
– Optional insurance; – Personal expenses;
– Tips and gratuities for bus drivers and others.
Prices are based on a minimum group size of 45 participants, and 20 abroad. In accordance with the law, up to 30 days before departure, the price may be adjusted upwards or downwards, without the possibility of cancellation, in the event of variations in the cost of fuel or fees and taxes relating to the services provided. The duration of the trip is calculated from the departure date to the return date. No compensation can be claimed in the event of a change in a carrier’s timetable cutting short the first or last day.
3. CANCELLATION POLICY
a). Cancellation by the member
Cancellation fees are calculated according to the following scale:
– More than 30 days before departure: 20% of the cost of the trip;
– Between 30 and 21 days before departure: 50% ;
– Between 20 and 8 days before departure: 75% ;
– Less than 8 days before departure: 100%.
Any change, in particular to the surnames/first names entered on the registration form, may be considered as a cancellation by the participant, followed by a new registration. Cancellation fees will be charged in accordance with the above schedule, unless previously agreed.
Any pilgrimage interrupted or cut short by the member, for any reason whatsoever, does not entitle the member to any compensation or reimbursement, nor does failure to appear at the start of the trip or the impossibility of presenting the documents required for the trip (passport, CNI, visa, etc.).
b). Cancellation by the association
If the minimum number of participants is not reached at least 21 days before the departure date, the pilgrimage may be cancelled. In this case, members may be offered an alternative. Should this not be suitable, all monies paid will be refunded, without any right to compensation.
4. SUITABILITY FOR TRAVEL
Any member whose physical or mental condition is likely to affect his or her fitness for the pilgrimage must present a medical certificate stating that his or her condition allows him or her to undertake the pilgrimage.
The association LES PELERINS DE NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL DE MEAUX reserves the right to refuse any registration which does not appear to be suited to the trip program. The association reserves the right to refuse to register any person who has shown in the past an attitude incompatible with the spirit of the group.
Anyone who has not finished paying for a pilgrimage can no longer be authorized to travel.
5. INSURANCE
The trips are covered by professional liability insurance underwritten by La Banque Postale.
The association will also take out assistance and repatriation insurance with Europe Assistance or Mondial Assistance, as well as baggage insurance.
6. FORMALITIES
All members must ensure that they have a passport and/or identity card valid for 6 months prior to departure. The formalities indicated on the IB apply only to participants of French nationality. Foreign nationals should check with the relevant authorities in the country/countries of destination before registering.
7. LIABILITY
The LES PELERINS DE NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL association cannot be held responsible in the event of cancellation or modification for reasons of force majeure (any unforeseeable and insurmountable event outside the association’s control) or for any reason aimed at maintaining member safety. In such cases, the member will be reimbursed pro rata for the number of days cancelled, without being entitled to claim any compensation.