The 16th July, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, marks the anniversary of the 18th and last apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous. Bernadette felt the mysterious call of the Grotto, but access to Massabielle was forbidden and barred by a fence. So she went opposite, to the other side of the Gave… and saw the Virgin Mary, one last time: “It seemed to me that I was in front of the Grotto, no further away than at other times, I saw nothing but the Virgin, I have never seen her so beautiful!”
On 16th July, the Sanctuary of Lourdes is proposing, as it has done since 2020, to bring people together across the continents by continuous prayer at the Grotto on this anniversary of the last apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette: Lourdes United in prayer
The day will be launched at 7 am by the Sanctuary “chapelains”, in the presence of Mgr. Micas, bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes and Fr. Daubanes, Rector of the Sanctuary.
On the programme: 5 p.m. live from the Grotto of the Apparitions; 4 TV and radio shows; 3 international masses and 9 rosaries in 9 different languages.
Let us gather around Bernadette of Lourdes to pray for peace.
Candles and prayer intentions
At 12 noon, there will be the Angelus prayer and the evocation of the 18th apparition, followed by a time of prayer for peace in all warring countries.
To symbolise this prayer, the Sanctuary will light a large candle, which will remain lit throughout the day.
You can join us by asking the Lourdes “feutiers” to light a candle for peace or for your particular intentions. Your candles will be lit in the chapels and will burn all day.
At 12:30 p.m., the rosary will be said in Ukrainian led by Fr. Mikhailo Romaniuk, priest of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lourdes. A rosary offered for peace in the world and especially in Ukraine.
Together, we will be part of an exceptional day of prayer and thanksgiving. Join us by sending your prayer intentions…
Torchlight procession and concert by Andréa Bocelli
Exceptionally, the torchlight procession will start at 8:30 p.m. It will be followed by a free concert, given by the one and only by Andrea Bocelli.
The concert is part of a cycle of performances in Marian shrines around the world, given free of charge to pilgrims.
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).
Faith and music rise above every difficulty. It is this message of peace and solidarity that Andréa wants to convey with this concert entitled “Prayers for life”.
Pictorial review
