News from Lourdes

The Grotto reopens to pilgrims

Mgr. Olivier RibadeauDumas

Since 17th March, the date on which lockdown started in our country, the priests, deacons and religious in the service of the Sanctuary have been at the Grotto of Massabielle, one after another, from morning to night, presenting our suffering world to Mary Immaculate. They have been offering to her more than 130,000 prayer intentions that people have sent us in all languages and from all continents of the world. It was a splendid mission and a weighty responsibility for all of us.

We lived through it in communion with you because we knew that, through television and social media networks, you were in communion with us. We prayed together. This continuous prayer ended with the Pope’s meditation in front of the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican gardens on Saturday 30th May at 5:30 p.m.

Travel is possible once again in France and will be soon in Europe. The “chapelains” will of course continue to pray for all the intentions which they receive, especially on the 11th of each month and during the rosaries, which will continue to be broadcast every day in several languages. But the Grotto is now open to pilgrims who can once again offer their prayers in person to Our Lady of Lourdes. A new phase is starting: a phase which will see the return of pilgrimages, and pilgrims. Lourdes needs them and they need Lourdes.

Come to the Grotto of Massabielle! You know that Mary’s smile is waiting for you there!

Mgr Olivier Ribadeau Dumas

Distancing in Lourdes

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord, Glorious Mother of Christ, Faithful Virgin, holy dwellingplace of the Word, teach us to persevere in listening to the Word, docile to the voice of the Spirit and attentive to his promptings in the depths of our conscience and to his manifestations in the events of history.

Hail Mary, Woman of sorrows, Mother of the living, Virgin spouse beneath the Cross, the new Eve, be our guide along the paths of the world. Teach us to experience and to spread the love of Christ, to stand with you before the innumerable crosses on which your Son is still crucified.

Hail Mary, Woman of faith, First of the disciples, Virgin Mother of the Church, help us always to account for the hope that is in us, with trust in human goodness and the Father’s love. Teach us to build up the world beginning from within: in the depths of silence and prayer, in the joy of fraternal love, in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross.

Pope John Paul II