3 Apr 2020

“Your spiritual pilgrimage” to Lourdes

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We might be unable to come and gather together physically in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, but we are all invited to come on a spiritual pilgrimage.

To help us in this, we should draw on Bernadette’s experience. During the eighteen Apparitions, Bernadette never came to the Grotto alone. She was always accompanied; sometimes by people who helped her physically to get near the Grotto safely; sometimes by people who were already praying whilst waiting for her in front of the Grotto. We should also remember that, during the Apparitions, Bernadette was always accompanied on her spiritual path by priests, particularly by the young Abbot Pomian, who became her spiritual director.

Later in Nevers, Bernadette made a spiritual pilgrimage every day: “Every day I go in spirit to the Grotto. I make a pilgrimage there.”

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them”. (Matt. 18:20)

A 4-step approach

  1. Come to Lourdes with your pilgrimage and join in with the pilgrims’ prayer by watching on TVLourdes. 
    Every day, pilgrimages are mentioned by name at the following services:
    French: Mass at 10 am and the rosary at 3:30 pm.
    English: Mass at 5 pm and the rosary at 3 pm.
    Italian: Mass at 11 am and the rosary at 6 pm.
    Spanish: the rosary at 2:30 pm.
    German: the rosary at 9 am.
    Polish: the rosary at 1:30 pm.
    Tamil: the rosary at 8 am.
    Vietnamese: the rosary at 11:30 am.
  2. Place a prayer intention on the Lourdes website. 
  3. The large candle which is lit at the Grotto every day symbolises the presence of my pilgrimage which should have been here in Lourdes. I would like to make a contribute towards it.. 
  4. As a pilgrim, I also hope that others can experience the grace of Lourdes at home: I invite you to participate in the ‘A Flame A Presence’ campaign.

Prayer to the Immaculate Conception for a spiritual pilgrimage

Our Lady of Lourdes,
You who revealed your presence to Bernadette
By simply saying “I am the Immaculate Conception”,
Grant us the grace to be present with you
at the Grotto of Massabielle.
We cannot be there today,
but we are present in spirit
with Bernadette and all the pilgrims from Lourdes
who have gone before us.
You gave birth to the Saviour of the world,
Look tenderly on our world in her distress.
Open in us a path of hope,
Guide us to Him who is the Living Source,
Jesus, your Son, who teaches us to say
Our father…