Nouvelles et événements

Letter for the Friends of Lourdes

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Dear Friends of Lourdes,

I would firstly like to say thank you and express my sincere gratitude. ‘Thank you": this word is one of the first that children learn from their parents, and it is much more than a simple expression of politeness. According to the Larousse definition, gratitude is ‘recognition for a service, for a favour received’. To say thank you is to acknowledge, and therefore accept, the fact that we need others. Yes, dear Friends of Lourdes, we need you. We need your support, both material and spiritual.

Thanks to your faithful generosity, we will be able to continue the mission entrusted by the beautiful Lady of Massabielle to Bernadette Soubirous of ‘building a chapel and coming here in procession’. Never alone, but always accompanied by crowds of pilgrims from the four corners of the world. There were over three million this year, slightly more than in 2023. Your donations over the year have enabled us to welcome them.

In a few days' time, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, in the Sanctuary that she herself wanted to be built. Be assured once again of my personal prayers for your intentions.

I make a donation

8th December: celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at Lourdes

Thursday, December 5, 2024

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes would like to invite you to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on 8th December in Lourdes.

Traditionally, pilgrims gather on 7th December to walk in procession and join in the celebrations on 8th December, a day of feasting and universal devotion to Our Lady.

A cosmopolitan zeal takes hold of the Marian city for one day to celebrate Mary conceived without sin. Mgr. Jean-Marc Micas, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, will celebrate mass on 8th December and pilgrims will give thanks to Our Lady in a magnificent floral tribute.

Full programme

Sanctuary pilgrims will be giving thanks to Our Lady of Guadalupe on 12th December

Thursday, December 5, 2024

The Sanctuary would like to invite you to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of the Americas, on 12th December.

This date echoes the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and reminds us of the story of the young Juan Diego who, like Bernadette, was chosen by the Virgin Mary to become her messenger.

Blessing of the Bambinelli at the Sanctuary on 15th December

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Throughout the pilgrimage season, priests bless the devotional objects of pilgrims visiting the Grotto. This Advent, and for the first time at the Sanctuary, the chaplains of Lourdes will be waiting for you on 15th December to bless your figurines of the Infant Jesus (Bambinelli).

Discovering Lourdes as a family, following in the footsteps of the Holy Family

Thursday, December 5, 2024

The Sanctuary is inviting families to come and discover the message of Lourdes during the Christmas holidays. From 28th December to 4th January, the Youth and Family Ministry team is offering a programme based around the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family on 29th December, to give families the chance to spend some quality time in the Marian city, following in the footsteps of Bernadette and her family:

  • 10.30am: In the footsteps of Bernadette (except on 21st December and 4th January) - Meet at the information centre
  • 3.00pm: Visit to the Christmas cribs in the Sanctuary - Meet at the information centre
  • 4.00pm: Blessing of families at the Grotto
  • 4.30pm: Family refreshments (courtesy of the Family Ministry Team) in the Schoepfer Room (1st floor of the Information Centre)

World Volunteer Day at the Sanctuary

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Volunteers traditionally gather at the Sanctuary on 5th December for World Volunteer Day. It's a day to bring together and shine the spotlight on those who, during the pilgrimage season, have given of their time and energy to welcome pilgrims to the feet of Mary in the very best way.

To mark the occasion, a mass will be celebrated at the Grotto of Massabielle for the volunteers.

Would you like to serve at Lourdes in 2025, the jubilee year?

Become a volunteer.

Mass on 11th December with the family of Our Lady of Lourdes and the host community of the Sanctuary

Thursday, December 5, 2024

The 11th of the month has become a regular fixture for the Family of Our Lady of Lourdes, who get together to celebrate Mass at the Rosary Basilica. In December, the rector of the Sanctuary, Father Michel Daubanes, is delighted to invite the entire host community to join in this celebration and share a time of prayer, in anticipation of the coming of the Saviour.

Watch the live broadcast of the Mass on Lourdes+.