In the heart of the Pyrenees, Lourdes receives more than 5 million visitors from all over the world every year. Spirituality, whether belonging to history, is part of the present through the depth and beauty of the sight, the marks of the past, the serenity of the Sanctuaries. Lourdes was just a small market town on the 11 February, when Bernadette Soubirous met, along the Gave, the “Lady” that made the town a Marian city. Today Lourdes has the second greatest number of hotels in France with 230 establishments. Its geographical position, at the foot of the mountains makes it an ideal starting-point of excursions to the Pyrenees.

Lourdes is an exceptional experience and we encourage families, reigious groups, individuals to experience the wonder and beauty of Lourdes. We can organise a fixed itinerary or a self drive tour of Lourdes in France.

Psalms 68(67),10-11.20-21. You claimed a land as your own, O God; your people settled there. There you poured abundant rains, God, graciously given to the poor in their need. Blessed be the Lord day by day, God, our salvation, who carries us. Selah Our God is a God who saves; escape from death is in the LORD God's hands.

Pilgrimages:

Coming Alone or as a Family Group There is a possibility of attending (free of charge) a showing of the 30-minute video on the Story of the Apparitions Obtain a map and list of events Possibility of hiring a digital MP3 player complete with earphones and a map to follow a circuit: The Footsteps of Bernadette . The commentaries are available in French, Italian, Spanish, English, German and Dutch. The digital players – hired at a nominal charge – can be obtained from a kiosk situated near St. Joseph'gate. To listen During the Months of July, August and September the Daily Pilgrimage Service can accompany pilgrims on a pilgrimage experience. Pilgrims gather each morning by the Crowned Statue at 08.30. (There is no need to book) The programme is as follows: - Mass on the Chapel of St. Cosmas and St. Damian - Introduction to Lourdes and the Message of Lourdes - Way of the Cross - The Footsteps of Bernadette.

Pilgrimage : Young Service Introduction The Youth Service is available through the year and can help: Accompany groups Celebrate Liturgies, Provide times and places for prayer, Organise where groups can be of assistance, Understand needs Organise a pilgrimage programme Encounter other young people.

Suggestions Here are a few ways that can help you organise your pilgrimage programme: DISCOVER The Footsteps of Bernadette The Sanctuary Behind the scenes in the Sanctuary Bartrès Vidéos UNDERSTAND Catechesis, talks and encounters adapted for different age groups according to the needs and interests of each person.

CELEBRATING LITURGY In all the liturgies, the active participation of young people is greatly encouraged. Each Wednesday during the month of June Children's Mass (in French). The Sacrament of Reconciliation International Youth Mass in July and August. Liturgy of Water Way of the Cross Prayer Vigils on the pastoral theme The International Masses… SERVICE: to give a lending hand in the Sanctuary for a pre-arranged period. For Scouts and Guides To be a volunteer helper For all your needs, accommodation, meeting rooms, chapels, animation, etc the Youth Service team is available to help you with their experience and support. All requests for reservations and support should be sent, in writing, to the following address.

The story of Lourdes is well known. Between February 11 and July 16, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared eighteen times to fourteen year old Bernadette Soubirous in that small town located in the foothills of the Pyrenee mountains of southern France. Bernadette was born on January 7, 1844, the eldest of six children of Francis Soubirous and Louise Caserot. She was a delicate girl who suffered from asthma and cholera. She could neither read nor write and spoke only the Burgundian dialect of her area. Her family was sinking into poverty and the day the first apparition took place she went to gather firewood along the bank of the River Gave to help her mother. The Apparition-Lourdes Her attention was drawn to the noise of rustling bushes near the Grotto of Massabielle, from the French "vieille masse" meaning ancient mass.

Then Bernadette saw a beautiful young girl of sixteen or seventeen. She described this girl as "dressed in a white robe, girded at the waist with a blue ribbon. She wore upon her head a white veil which gave just a glimpse of hair. Her feet were bare but covered by the last folds of her robe and a yellow rose was upon each of them. She held on her right arm a rosary of white beads with a chain of gold shining like the two roses on her feet." Bernadette knelt and began to pray the rosary. At the end of the five decades the woman smiled and disappeared. The young visionary returned and on February 18 Our Lady began her message telling young Bernadette, "I do not promise to make you happy in this life but in the next." On February 24, Mary asked for penance and prayer for the conversion of sinners and the following day, she instructed Bernadette to dig the ground near the grotto. From that a spring came forth which to this day is used for the bath by pilgrims to Lourdes.

The Basilica at Lourdes was consecrated in 1876 and the faithful, countless in number, flock in pious pilgrimage to the holy grotto. It is there that their faith and devotion are aroused and they recommit themselves to conform their lives to the Christian message. There, as well, miraculous favors are granted and healings, both physical and spiritual, have taken place. Great emphasis is placed on devotion to the Eucharist and just as at the wedding feast of Cana, Mary points to her Son. lourdes france tours, tour of Lourdes, holy tour, religious, lourdes cathedral in france