The Sanctuary of Lourdes will be celebrating this great feast day with pilgrims from all over the world, and this year is hosting EvènemenCiel 2024, a gathering whose theme is, ‘That they may all be one’ John 17:21.
What do we celebrate on Ascension Day?
The feast of the Ascension celebrates Jesus’ ascension to God, his Father. It is celebrated forty days after Easter. It is one of the main Christian feasts, following on from Easter and heralding Pentecost, ten days later.
‘Why do you stand looking up towards heaven?’ (Acts 1:11), the apostles are told: the Ascension of Christ is also a call to greater commitment to bring the Good News to the world.
Timetable for celebrations in the Sanctuary:
No international Mass on Wednesday 8th May
Thursday 9th May, Feast of the Ascension
9.30am: International Mass at the Basilica of Saint Pius X followed by the Angelus at the Grotto.
10.00am: Mass at the Grotto
2.00pm: The footsteps of Bernadette
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto
5.00pm: Procession, Eucharistic adoration and blessing of the sick.
9.00 pm: Marian procession, leaving from the Grotto.
A Sanctuary “chapelain” will be on hand at the youth tent (opposite the Baths) to offer the ‘water gesture’ to pilgrims over the Ascension long weekend.
Thursday 9th May at 10am and 2.30pm
Friday 10th May at 10am and 2.30pm
Saturday 11th May at 2.30pm.
EvènemenCiel 2024, for whom? Why?
In Lourdes, 1,500 pilgrims gather for four days to listen to the Holy Spirit, praise, pray and learn.
L’évènemenCiel gathering, from 8th to 12th May 2024, is organised by “Amen, oui je croix!” A meeting with talks, praise, prayer vigils and a festive evening with a Christotheque with Fr. Baldo Alagna and Laurent Gay.
Jean-Luc Garnier is a former rapper who has worked with MC Solaar. Trapped in a life of violence and addiction, his future was turned completely on its head the day he encountered Christ. Following his conversion to Christianity, he launched “Amen, Oui je croix”, a place of evangelism and event organisation where people can exercise their talents in the service of the Lord.
