Holy Week and Easter at Lourdes
In Lourdes, as in all Catholic churches, Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, includes Maundy Thursday, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, and Good Friday, with the Office of the Passion. It ends with the Easter Vigil, during the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday. The Easter Vigil brings together, through its rites, all the elements of the Easter message.
Palm Sunday and the Lord's Passion
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, which ends with Easter Sunday. Christians celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. The religious celebration is marked by the blessing of the palm branches, still green and a sign of life.
Programme
9.30am: Blessing of the palms in front of the Rosary Basilica, followed by an international mass in the Church of Saint Bernadette
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto in English
5.00pm: Eucharistic procession ending on the square in front of the Rosary Basilica (or in the Church of Saint Bernadette if it’s raining)
9.00pm: Torch-light Marian procession with members of the FRAT pilgrimage (pilgrimage of secondary school students from the Île de France)
On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week, the 5pm Eucharistic procession starts at the podium on the prairie and ends at the Rosary square (or at the church of Saint Bernadette if it’s raining).
Maundy Thursday - The Last Supper
Jesus instituted the Eucharist when he voiced the words, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Mt 26:26) as he shared the bread. Then, as he gave them the cup of wine, he said, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
During a solemn Mass, the gesture of washing the feet is repeated as a sign of forgiveness and service. Jesus invites us to follow him by doing good in the service of others.
Programme
8.30am: Office of Tenebrae at the Rosary Basilica
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto
8.30pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of Saint Pius X
10pm: Eucharistic Adoration at the Rosary Basilica
Good Friday -The Passion
Christians are called to fast, a process of penance and conversion, an expression of waiting for Christ. The office of Good Friday, known as the “celebration of the Lord’s Passion”, is centred on the proclamation of the Passion narrative.
Programme
8.30am: Office of Tenebrae in the Rosary Basilica
3.00pm: Stations of the Cross on the Rosary Square
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto in English
8.30pm: Office of the Lord’s Passion at the Basilica of Saint Pius X
Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil
On Holy Saturday, the Church remains at the tomb of her Lord. She meditates on Christ’s passion and death, as well as his descent into hell, while awaiting his resurrection with fasting and prayer.
The Church spends this great Sabbath close to Mary.
The celebration of the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday is “a vigil in honour of the Lord” during which Catholics celebrate Easter, the passage from darkness to light, Christ’s victory over death.
Programme
8.30am: Office of Tenebrae at the Rosary Basilica
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto in English
9.00pm: Easter Vigil
Blessing of the new fire on the Rosary square, followed by Mass at the Basilica of Saint Pius X, presided over by Mgr. Jean-Marc Micas, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes.
Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of Christ
Easter is at the heart of Christian faith and hope. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the fulfilment of the Old Testament promises and confirms Jesus’ divinity.
Programme
9.30am: International Mass in the Basilica of St Pius X, followed by the procession to the Grotto
10.00 am: Mass at the Grotto
5.00pm: Eucharistic procession ending on the Rosary square
9.00pm: Torchlight Marian procession
