Beginning on Ash Wednesday, 18th February, Lent is a period of preparation for Easter, which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes calls us to rejoice at this time when peace is under threat. Let us ask the Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, to restore our confidence, hope and peace of heart.
In Lourdes, as in all Catholic churches, Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, includes Maundy Thursday, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, and Good Friday, with the Office of the Passion. It ends with the Easter Vigil, during the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday. The Easter Vigil brings together, through its rites, all the elements of the Easter message.
Holy Week Programme 2026
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, which ends with Easter Sunday. Christians celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. The religious celebration is marked by the blessing of the palm branches, still green and a sign of life, and by the reading of the text of Jesus’ Passion.
• 9:30 a.m.: Blessing of the palms on the esplanade of the Rosary Basilica
• 10:00 a.m.: Mass at St. Pius X Basilica
• 3:30 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto
• 6:30 p.m.: Vespers at the Rosary Basilica
• 8:30 p.m.: Torchlight Rosary
Maundy Thursday, the institution of the Eucharist
A few days later, Jesus had a last meal with the twelve Apostles in the room known as the “Upper Room”. He instituted the Eucharist when he voiced the words, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Mt 26:26) as he shared the bread. Then, as he gave them the cup of wine, he said, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
During this meal, Jesus also knelt before each of his disciples and washed their feet. He took on the garb of a servant and said, “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (Jn. 13:15). During a solemn Mass, the gesture of washing the feet is repeated as a sign of forgiveness and service. Jesus invites us to follow him by doing good in the service of others.
• 8:30 a.m.: Office of Tenebrae at the Rosary Basilica
• 3:00 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto (in English)
• 4:30 to 6 p.m.: International penitential celebration at St. Pius X Basilica
• (confessional chapel closed)
• 8:30 p.m.: Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of St. Pius X
Good Friday Passion
Christians are called to fast (which consists of going without food, depending on the person’s age and fitness), a process of penance and conversion, an expression of waiting for Christ. The office of Good Friday, known as the “celebration of the Lord’s Passion”, is centred on the proclamation of the Passion narrative. The faithful take part in the Stations of the Cross that follow the stages of Christ’s Passion.
• 8:30 a.m.: Office of Tenebrae at the Rosary Basilica
• 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon.: International Penitential Celebration at the Basilica of Saint Pius X
• 3:00 p.m.: Office of the Passion at the Basilica of Saint Pius X
• 3:00 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto (in English)
• 8:30 p.m.: Torchlight Stations of the Cross on the esplanade
Experience the Easter Vigil in Lourdes
On Holy Saturday, the Church remains at the tomb of her Lord. She meditates on Christ’s passion and death, as well as his descent into hell, while awaiting his resurrection with fasting and prayer.
The Church spends this great Sabbath close to Mary, meditating on the sufferings of Christ, his death and his burial, in invincible hope.
The celebration of the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday is “a vigil in honour of the Lord” during which Catholics celebrate Easter, the passage from darkness to light, Christ’s victory over death. This is why, during the night, the fire and the Easter candle are lit, and then the flame is passed on to the faithful.
• 8:30 a.m.: Office of Tenebrae at the Rosary Basilica
• 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon.: International Penitential Celebration at the Basilica of Saint Pius X
• 3:00 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto (in English)
• 9:00 p.m.: Easter Vigil
Blessing of the new fire followed by Mass at St. Pius X Basilica
We celebrate Christ's Resurrection
In the morning, some women and then a few disciples went to the tomb to prepare and clean Jesus’ body. But the tomb was empty, Jesus was no longer there, he had risen! Mary Magdalene and then the disciples saw the risen Jesus in different places.
Easter is at the heart of Christian faith and hope. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the fulfilment of the Old Testament promises and confirms Jesus’ divinity.
There are two aspects to the Paschal Mystery: through his death, he freed humanity from sin; through his resurrection, he opened the door to a new life.
• 9:30 a.m.: International Mass at St. Pius X Basilica, followed by the Angelus at the Grotto
• 3:00 p.m.: Rosary at the Grotto (in English)
• 5:00 p.m.: Eucharistic Procession, ending in front of the Rosary Basilica
• 9:00 p.m.: Marian Torchlight Procession
