On 16th July, the Church celebrates Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patron saint of the Carmelites and of all those who seek inner peace in the midst of a busy life. It is also the silent and discreet anniversary of the eighteenth and last apparition of the Virgin Mary to the Lourdes visionary, Saint Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes in 1858.
"She was more beautiful than ever”
That day, Bernadette could not go to the Grotto of Massabielle, which was closed to the public by the authorities. So, she went to the other side of the Gave, opposite the Grotto. And there she saw ‘the Beautiful Lady’ one last time. It was a silent apparition. Not a word was spoken. But the light of her presence was enough: Bernadette would say that she saw the Virgin “as if I were in the grotto,” even though she was physically separated and, according to Bernadette, “she was more beautiful than ever.”
A Marian smile of approval, a last look, full of gentleness and promise. The Virgin Mary faded into silence, as if to clear a path for the saint’s mission.
What's new for 16th July in Lourdes?
This year to mark the centenary of the beatification of Saint Bernadette, the little Bigourdane saint will be welcoming one of the Church’s youngest Blesseds: Carlos Acutis.
On Tuesday 15th July at 8.30pm, a vigil will be held around his relics in the Mont Carmel chapel, in the Youth Village. Following the vigil, the reliquary will be permanently installed in the chapel for veneration.
On Wednesday 16th July, the scouts in the Youth Village will celebrate mass at 5pm to mark the centenary of their presence here. That same evening, as they do every year on the same date, they will head down to the Grotto at 8.30pm, carrying the statue of the Virgin, that is carried at the head of the Marian procession.
Programme for 16th July in Lourdes
9.30am: International Mass at the Basilica of St Pius X followed by the Angelus at the Grotto
2.00pm: Footsteps of Bernadette’s
3.00pm: Rosary at the Grotto (in English)
3.30pm: Jubilee Way (enquire at the Information Centre)
5.00pm: Eucharistic procession and blessing of the sick
9.00pm: Marian Torchlight procession
Inauguration of the Bernadette Trail, a joint project between the City and the Sanctuary
On Wednesday 16th July, the anniversary of the final apparition, the town of Lourdes and the Sanctuary will inaugurate the Bernadette Trail.
Since 2022, a 3.5 km pathway, marked by brass studs bearing Bernadette’s image, has enabled visitors to follow a historical trail through the town, complementing the ‘Bernadette’s Footsteps’ offered by the Sanctuary.
Seventeen touchscreen panels offer the chance to scan content and explore immersive, high-quality augmented reality scenes.
Une An experience that’s spiritual, inclusive and fully accessible.
Come and experience Lourdes as it was in Bernadette’s time, where heritage comes alive, interactive and accessible for all.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mother of silence and hope
The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has its origins in the tradition of the prophet Elijah, on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, the place where he met God in the gentle breeze (1 Kings 19:12). The Carmelites saw Mary as the summit of this silent and dependable listening.
The Carmelite scapular, a sign of Marian protection, reminds us of this mutual fidelity between Mary and her children. ‘Whoever wears me will not be lost’, is the saying. On 16th July, we are invited to place ourselves under the mantle of the Virgin, entrusting our struggles, our doubts and our paths of faith to her maternal care.
Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
“O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel,
Fruitful Vine,
Splendour of Heaven,
Blessed Mother of the Son of God,
Immaculate Virgin, assist me this my necessity.
O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
we humbly implore from the bottom of our hearts:
may nothing resist your all-powerful intercession.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.”
