Lourdes

Duration

5 Days 4 Nights

France

Every year, this Marian shrine at the foot of the Pyrenees draws millions of pilgrims to the Grotto of Massabielle where, in 1858, a 14-year-old miller’s daughter from the town received 18 visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bernadette Sobirous described a beautiful lady wearing a white veil and a blue girdle; she had a golden rose on each foot and held a rosary of pearls.

During one of the visions Our Lady, with her arms down, raised her eyes to heaven and then, folding her hands over her breast said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Millions of pilgrims each year visit Lourdes often with the intention of helping the sick or to receive healing from the spring waters that emerged during the visions

Details

Lourdes is in southern France in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains near the prime meridian. It is overlooked from the south by the Pyrenean peaks of Aneto, Montaigu, and Vignemale. Lourdes is widely considered the third most important site for Catholic pilgrimage, behind the Holy Land and Rome. Every year, this Marian shrine at the foot of the Pyrenees draws millions of pilgrims to the Grotto of Massabielle where, in 1858, a 14-year-old miller’s daughter from the town received 18 visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bernadette Sobirous described a beautiful lady wearing a white veil and a blue girdle; she had a golden rose on each foot and held a rosary of pearls. During one of the visions Our Lady, with her arms down, raised her eyes to heaven and then, folding her hands over her breast said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Millions of pilgrims each year visit Lourdes often with the intention of helping the sick or to receive healing from the spring waters that emerged during the visions

Introduction to the Sanctuary of our lady of Lourdes, mass then we visit, the Grotto and touch the rocks around the cave of apparitions, Pray the Rosary, gave Bathe in the Sanctuary’s marble baths filled with water flowing from the spring that Saint Bernadette drank from at Our Lady’s request: “Go drink at the spring and wash yourself there”. The water is said to have special curative effects. Enjoy a group video presentation in the Sanctuary theatre, featuring the life of Saint Bernadette and the apparitions. Afternoon Eucharist procession later 9 pm attend the daily torchlight procession.

Holy mass, visit the Upper Basilica, the Crypt, the Rosary Basilica and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament as well as many other holy sites in Lourdes. Participate in the International Masses at the Pius X Basilica which is held every Wednesday and Sunday. Outside of the Sanctuary, visit Bolly Mill where Bernadette was born and lived with her family, and The Cachot where Bernadette’s family lived during the time of the apparitions. Stations of the Cross can be followed along the High Mountain, Lower Stations, or the Way of the Cross for the disabled and sick. Light candles and attend, individually or as a group, evening attend Blessed Sacrament Procession. 9 pm attend the daily Candlelight Procession, Blessing of the Sick and the