This year, we are celebrating 800 years since the creation of the first Christmas crib by St. Francis of Assisi. Come and experience Christmas in Lourdes and see the cribs displayed in the Sanctuary to help you get into the true Christmas spirit.
“The crib never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder in everyone, young and old. The nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture. It does not matter how the nativity scene is arranged, it can be the same every year or different: what matters is that it speaks to our lives.” Pope Francis, meditation on Christmas.
PROGRAMME of Nativity celebrations
Sunday 24th December
4:30 pm: Mass at Rosary Basilica
5:30 pm: 1st Christmas Vespers at the Rosary Basilica
8:30pm: Torchlit rosary at the Grotto
9:30pm: Night Mass at the Basilica of Saint Pius X, followed by a procession to the Grotto
Monday 25th December
10:00am: Mass at the Grotto broadcast live by TV Lourdes
11:15am: Mass at the Basilica of Saint Pius X
3:00pm: Rosary at the Grotto
5:30pm: Vespers at the Rosary Basilica
The Information Centre will be exceptionally closed on 25 December 2023 and 1 January 2024.
Get ready for the great feast of Christmas
Advent is the period of 4 weeks before Christmas when we prepare for the coming of the Saviour. Since Sunday 3rd December, the “chapelains” of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes have been offering a series of podcasts (FR) to help us prepare spiritually for Christmas, to awaken wonder in hearts and eyes, to encourage prayer and to foster joy in everyone’s heart, leading up to the birth of the Infant Jesus.
The Sanctuary will be illuminated until Epiphany
Come and experience the birth of Jesus in Lourdes, in this place loved by God, this place where, on 25th March 1858 (the feast of the Annunciation), the Virgin Mary revealed her name to Bernadette: “I am the Immaculate Conception”. It’s such a joy to know that the Virgin Mary was waiting for her Son when she came to this land of Bigorre to meet little Bernadette Soubirous.
Come and be surrounded by music and light during this time when we are waiting for the Saviour. The Sanctuary has been illuminated every evening since 3rd December, to help prepare us for the event.
Light up Christmas Eve by asking for a candle to be lit in Lourdes.
This light accompanies your prayers for your families, your loved ones, whether they are present or absent, those who are suffering, those who need comfort.
The Virgin Mary, who appeared in Lourdes, gave birth to the Son of God. The Prince of Peace, He is the Light that enlightens the world.
Ask for a candle to be lit in Lourdes and light up Christmas Eve.
