Lourdes attendance

The entire world comes to Lourdes

As soon as the apparitions took place in 1858, crowds of people flocked to the Grotto of Massabielle, around little Bernadette Soubirous.
The first pilgrimage from abroad took place in 1874: the Belgian national pilgrimage brought together more than a thousand pilgrims to Lourdes. In order to accommodate the ever-increasing crowds of pilgrims, the Shrine has built, over the years, basilicas, a church, chapels and a home for the sick. Whether they are pilgrims for a day or lifelong pilgrims, families or dioceses, practicing believers or visitors for an hour, it is very difficult to identify a pilgrim “standard profile”. Nevertheless, we can distinguish:

– The pilgrims
They are all those who come to Lourdes on a spiritual journey.
Often, they are parishes, dioceses, countries, religious families, or even tour operators. These pilgrimage organisations are often several dozen years old. The Shrine knows exactly how many there are because they are registered. They are in close contact with the Shrine for bookings and special requests.

– The visitors
They are those who come to Lourdes alone or with their families, for a few days or a few hours. They mingle with the large crowd of pilgrims and sometimes take part in the celebrations.
Pilgrims and visitors from all over the world: 80 nationalities welcomed in the Shrine. Lourdes is international because the simplicity and depth of its message brings together crowds from all nations and backgrounds.
The Shrine welcomes everyone, the whole society, regardless of culture, religion or lack of religion. Everyone will find what they are looking for.