Sanctuary Of Our Lady Of Lourdes - France
The Sanctuary Of Lourdes is a very cosmopolitan place, a universal Sanctuary which strength is based on the diversity of the people. It is considered the first Marian Pilgrimage destination in the world. The tourist and the pilgrims globe, every year, more than 6 million people come to this place. It is remarkable the constant arrival of young people or the sick that arrived looking for relieve and hope.
The origin of this devotion comes from the esxperience of one person and a chain of events that happened to her: Bernadette Soubirous and the apparitions of Virgin Mary in 1858, when Bernadette
was 14, she witnessed the Apparitionof the Virgin up to 18 occasions, all this is known as the message of Lourdes. As a result of these events, the first pilgrims arrived and a chapel was built in the place. This chapel would later become the Sanctuary as we know it today, nowadays, is one of the sanctuaries that receives the most pilgrims and visitors, people of any race or language, believes or culture, arrive to the call of the message. Three symbols are known as the signs of Lourdes: water, sign of purification, the rock, place of the apparitions, and light that represents the fasith and hope.
The Rock:
Massabielle Grotto and The Basilica Of Immaculate Conception
The Grotto is the place where the apparitions took place from february to July 1858. It consists of three cavities. The biggest one is where mass is celebrated. The image of Virgin Mary is located on the right side. This is the actual location where she appeared to Bernadette, Going bt the grotto and touch the rock is one of the actions performed by pilgrims as it is an expression of faith. The
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, built on top of the Grotto was erected as a minor Basilica by Pope Pius IX
The Water
It is one of the elements that cannot be separated from the history and tradition of Lourdes. It is not miraculous water, as it is drinkable water similar to any other water in the region. The popularity of the water came from the healings, both body and soul. People take the water with hope and faith in Virgin Mary. Water is then a sign, just as iot is the water used for baptism This is reflected in places such as the Grotto Spring, the fountains, the poets or the water path.
Light
The Torchlight Marian Procession takes place when the night falls. It is the procession of lightin which pilgrims carry a lit candle in their hands while praying five Mysteries of the Rosary. Walking at night carrying the light shows the symbolism of faith and hope, the symbolism of illuminating and being enlightened. The lit candles before the Grotto represent the prayers of pilgrims.
Sanctuary Of Lourdes
1 Avenue Monseigneur Theas
65108 - Lourdes Cedex (Francia)
Tel: (00 33) 5 62 42 78 78
Fax: (00 33) 5 62 42 79 38
Email: saccueil@lourdes-france.com
Web: www.lourdes-france.org
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