The Sanctuary is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the canonical coronation of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, an honour bestowed by the Pope on only very rare occasions. This tradition of the Church encourages the devotion of the faithful, renewing their trust and love for the one they revere as their mother.
Throughout May, the month of Mary, pilgrims to the Sanctuary of Lourdes are invited to help create a very special crown: no longer a crown of gold, but a crown of flowers. A crown offered as a gift, pieced together little by little, flower by flower, intention by intention.
Why do we give flowers to Mary?
An act of veneration
Over the centuries, the faithful have shown their love and respect for the Virgin Mary by presenting her with flowers. In the same way that a flower shows off its beauty to honour heaven, so too, these offerings convey Mary’s beauty and purity.
The floral tribute in Lourdes
The Sanctuary at Lourdes organises a floral tribute every May. This is a unique opportunity to show your devotion to Mary.
Why crown the Virgin Mary in Lourdes?
Crowning a statue is not just a matter of placing a precious adornment upon it. By crowning Mary, we affirm that she is Queen – not of power, but of tenderness and protection.
Erected in 1876, the Crowned Virgin is the ‘lady of the house’. Unlike the statue in the Grotto, which depicts the apparition as Bernadette saw it (humble and silent), the statue on the esplanade celebrates the glory of Mary. She was solemnly crowned in the presence of numerous bishops and cardinals.
Yellow carnations will be placed around the statue of the Crowned Virgin, reminiscent of the golden roses that appeared at Mary’s feet during her apparitions to Bernadette. Through this simple gesture, everyone can join in this expression of popular devotion. Offering a flower is like offering a prayer. It is a way of entrusting an intention, saying thank you, or simply saying you are with us.
