16th July: the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel marks the anniversary of the 18th and final apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous. Bernadette felt the mysterious call of the Grotto, but access to Massabielle was prohibited, blocked by a fence. So instead, she went to the other side of the Gave… and saw the Virgin Mary, one last time. “It felt as if I were in front of the Grotto, at the same distance as the other times, I only saw the Virgin, I have never seen her looking so beautiful!”
On 16th July, the Sanctuary of Lourdes intends, as it has done since 2020, to unite all continents in prayer on this day of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the final apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette: Lourdes united in prayer
Torchlight procession and concert by Andrea Bocelli
The torchlight procession will exceptionally be at 8:30 p.m. It will be followed by the free concert, given by the one and only Andrea Bocelli.
The concert is part of a cycle of performances in Marian shrines around the world, offered free of charge to pilgrims by Dançar Marketing (BR).
Andréa Bocelli will be accompanied by the Choir and Orchestra of Pau Pays de Béarn, from the city of Pau (40 km from the Sanctuary of Lourdes), conducted by Italian maestro Carlo Bernini, by the Ukrainian violinist Anastasiya Petryshak and the French soprano Clara Barbier Serrano.
Faith and music have the capacity to rise above all difficulties. It is this message of peace and solidarity that Dançar Marketing wants to convey with this concert entitled “Prayers for life”.