The Easter celebrations in Lourdes began on Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem as King of Peace, and continued through Holy Week: Maundy Thursday (institution of the Eucharist), Good Friday (the Passion) and Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil leading up to the Lord’s Resurrection.
Holy Week and Easter opened the Lourdes pilgrimages season with the summer programme and all the activities on offer to pilgrims.
Fifty days to celebrate Easter
Easter lasts fifty days, culminating in the solemnity of Pentecost. It is characterised by the joy of discovering the promised and real presence of the Risen Lord among us. It is also a time of expectation of the coming of the Spirit, promised by the Lord to his disciples before he ascended into heaven.
It is marked by two major celebrations. The Ascension (on the fortieth day of Easter (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:3) brings Jesus’ mission on earth to a close). Pentecost is the dawn of the New Covenant, the time of the Church open to all peoples. It comes fifty days after the feast of the Resurrection.
This waiting for the coming of the Spirit is not passive. It is a contemplation of the Paschal Mystery, the presence of Jesus to his disciples. It is the mystery of the love of God who is “with us” until the end of time.
The Sanctuary of Lourdes offers times of prayer to sustain us in this waiting.
In this year dedicated to prayer, the Sanctuary offers pilgrims the opportunity to pray individually, in groups or as a family in front of the Grotto. To tell the Lord, through Mary, of our love and gratitude. To pray the rosary for all our loved ones. To place our hands on the Rock and say, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Ps.18:2).
You can go to the Adoration chapel to let yourself be guided by God’s love. A heart-to-heart exchange with the Lord to let yourself be soothed by God’s tenderness.
How to spend a day in Lourdes to recharge your batteries?
Visiting the places of worship is an essential part of the experience. The different basilicas, churches and chapels show us that, in Lourdes, all roads lead to Jesus through Mary.
A DAY IN LOURDES
Morning:
– At the Information Centre, watch the Sanctuary’s official film, and immerse yourself in the life and history of Lourdes.
– Attend Mass, the source and summit of all Christian life. (Pilgrims can attend mass in the official languages of the Sanctuary, and in those of the pilgrims present that day).
Afternoon:
– Follow in Bernadette’s footsteps to learn about the places where Bernadette lived during the apparitions.
– Pray the rosary at the Grotto
– the Blessed Sacrament Procession at 5pm
– Marian torchlight procession at 9pm.
The Little House of Bernadette
The Little House of Bernadette offers a range of fun activities for children accompanied by their parents or for groups with accompanying adults. A fun way to discover the message of Lourdes and the life of Saint Bernadette.
Activities on offer: making a rosary, storytelling about the apparitions, catechism lessons, games and colouring, toddler area, etc.
