Monday 31st March 2025 – Recovering the entrance doors to the Rosary Basilica
3 questions to Mgr. Jean-Marc Micas, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes
On Monday 31st March, the two entrance doors to the Basilica of the Rosary, featuring mosaics by Rupnik, were covered. Why was this decision taken?
You will already be aware of my opinion on the mosaics on the doors of the Basilica. It seemed to me and my colleagues, that a new symbolic step had to be taken to make it easier for all those, who currently feel unable to cross the threshold, to enter the Basilica. All the doors of the Rosary Basilica have therefore been adapted.
This is the Jubilee Year. Holy doors have been opened in Rome in the four major basilicas. I have issued a decree declaring that the Sanctuary of Lourdes is one of two places in the diocese (along with the Cathedral of Tarbes) where people can experience the Jubilee Year and receive a plenary indulgence. The entrance to the basilica had to be a fitting symbol of the event.
On the third Friday of Lent, 28th March, the entire Church of France marked the Commemorative Day of Prayer for victims of sexual abuse committed in the Church. The two side doors were covered on Monday, and the two large central doors will be covered in a few days’ time, before the start of the pilgrimage season to Lourdes.
On 2nd July 2024, you announced that “it would be preferable to remove these mosaics.” Is this just the first step, then?
This is not the first step, it’s the second! The first was in July, when we decided to stop illuminating them at night during processions.
What are the next steps?
A working group is guiding the process and helping me to make decisions. We would prefer to move forward calmly rather than under pressure from various quarters. We are working for the long term, for the victims, for the Church, for Lourdes and its message for everyone.
Press contact
Service Communication du Sanctuaire de Lourdes
Tel. 06 21 50 42 71 – communication@lourdes-france.com
