The activities offered by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes allow everyone to discover or rediscover the beauty and simplicity of this place of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary and her message of peace, comfort and hope which is so relevant today.
NEW: A FILM OF DISCOVERY
The official film of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is here to answer your questions about this world-renowned site. It will take you from 1858 through to the present day, via the incredible story of little Bernadette Soubirous and the city of Lourdes, a city in the province of Bigorre where the whole world comes together at feet of the Virgin Mary.
Every day at the Sanctuary Information Centre in French, English, Italian and Spanish
Duration: 40 minutes
BERNADETTE'S FOOTSTEPS
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the history of Lourdes is to follow in the footsteps of Bernadette by taking a path that passes the key places where she lived, from her birth in 1844 to her departure for Nevers in 1866, which form the setting for the apparitions of 1858. Let Saint Bernadette lead you by following this path either on your own or accompanied by a guide from the Sanctuary’s reception team, a nun, a seminarian or a priest.
Information at the Sanctuary Information Centre
Duration: 1h30
This year to illustrate the theme of the year, “Go and tell the priests…”, the Sanctuary of Lourdes and the parish are offering pilgrims, who come with an organised pilgrimage, an opportunity to follow the route that Bernadette Soubirous took when she went to pass on to Father Peyramale the words of the Virgin Mary. From the Grotto of the Apparitions to the parish church, passing by the old presbytery and the tomb of Abbot Peyramale, take a walk in Bernadette’s shoes.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Information Centre offers you Stations of the Cross, every day and in several languages, guided by a priest from the Sanctuary or a nun on mission in the Sanctuary, where you can follow and meditate on the Passion of Christ.
Duration: 1h30
MAKE THE WATER GESTURE
During the 9th apparition, the Virgin Mary said to Bernadette, “Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself there”. Even today, pilgrims go to the taps to drink, wash their face or hands, and draw water to take home.
Throughout the pilgrimage season, volunteers help carry out this symbolic gesture at the Baths. It can be done individually, as a couple, as a family… but especially with Mary and Bernadette!
At the Baths: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
PROCESSIONS
To continue on this journey of a pilgrim for a day, the Eucharistic procession with the blessing of the sick at 5:00 p.m. is a must for all pilgrims present in Lourdes. A procession that connects the Grotto of Lourdes and the underground basilica where the sick await the real presence of God among his people.
At 9:00 p.m., the pilgrims set out once again to pray to Mary by candlelight, accompanied by hymns and prayers in all the languages of those currently present in the Sanctuary.
LOURDES NIGHTS
During the months of July and August (https://nuitsdelourdes.com/events/), the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes offers an unforgettable immersion in the heart of the Sanctuary to allow everyone to discover or rediscover the beauty and simplicity of this place of apparitions of the Virgin Mary, the modernity of her message of peace, comfort and hope.
A tailor-made programme to end a beautiful day of pilgrimage in style.
Sanctuary Information Centre, open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and from 1:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
+33 (0)5 62 42 2008
saccueil@lourdes-france.com
