The best known, and certainly the most touching, way of “coming here in procession” as the Virgin Mary asked us, is to take part in the Torchlight Procession.
With pilgrims from all over the world, praying the Rosary and singing the Ave Maria of Lourdes, we follow and carry the light of Christ to restore our faith and strengthen our hope.
On Easter Sunday, 9th April, the Sanctuary of Lourdes is inviting socio-professionals from Lourdes to the first procession of the pilgrimage season.
Easter Sunday programme
7:00 a.m. Mass at the Crypt
8:00 a.m. Mass at the Adoration Chapel
9:00 a.m.: Mass at the Immaculate Conception Basilica
9:30 a.m.: International Mass at the Saint Pius X Basilica
10:00 a.m. Mass at the Grotto
11:15 a.m. Mass at the Rosary Basilica
3:00 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto in English, live on TV Lourdes
3:30 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto in French, live on TV Lourdes
4:15 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto in Spanish, live on TV Lourdes
5:00 p.m.: Blessed Sacrament Procession and blessing of the sick.
6:00 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto in Italian, live on TV Lourdes
6:30 p.m. Mass at the Rosary Basilica
9:00 p.m.: Torchlight procession
At this hour when night starts to fall, the light-filled earth seems gently to touch the sky, welcoming its mystery and its clarity. The Torchlight Procession, also called the Marian Procession, takes place every day at 9 p.m. and offers pilgrims one of the most beautiful events in Lourdes.
For information:
2023 is a special year for the Capuchin Friars Minor (“chapelains” at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes Lourdes), as they are celebrating the 160th anniversary of the Torchlight Processions. In fact, the torchlight procession as we know it today is the creation of Father Marie-Antoine de Lavaur, also called the Saint of Toulouse. The Association for the Memory of Father Marie-Antoine (APMA), the Padre Pio Prayer Groups and the entire Capuchin family invite you to Lourdes to commemorate this event on 7th, 8th and 9th July 2023.
Bust of Father Marie-Antoine de Lavaur at the end of the Espélugues Stations of the Cross.
