Pilgrimage of Lourdes 2025: Follow the on -board book of our Assumptionist journalist

Celebrate

On the other side of the Gave, small groups of men and women take advantage of the freshness of the night to spend time in the sanctuary. There are young people who discuss. Elderly people also who can finally breathe a little better, sitting on benches that support them. Priests of all formats – sustains, religious clothes, Roman and others – cross space, often in a hurry. And then a lot of families with young children.

While the hour is however advanced, the children run and have fun, very happy to finally be able to give their hearts after the warmth of the day which had forced them to stay in the freshness of the hotels. Faced with the cave, a small group of Spaniards was formed around a flopped children seated wisely on the ground. Young couples supervise them, taking care of infants at the same time in their stroller. A last bottle before night is still circumstances for some.

An animator, white polo and well -cut beard, stands in front of this group, trying to contain the attention of children while also addressing their parents. A balancingist exercise. On the guitar, a young woman with a clear voice launches a good sweetness at night at night. “Senor Ten Piedad”, she sings. And everyone to resume: Lord, have mercy. Because it is a time of prayer in question. No doubt even an adapted Eucharist who, starting here, will end a little further around an altar. Before going to bed the children, paid for prayer, music and games.

File the burden

Léonid is sitting a little away while the celebration of this morning is set up. “I moved away from my group a bit to see the assembly from another angle,” she explains a little embarrassed. It has been four years since this woman of African origin has come to Lourdes. “I need it to re -inflate my batteries. There is a fervor here that is good and which rekindles the flame for the time to come. We live in a materialist world that is tough. ” Leonid’s smile cannot completely hide a sadness. “I lost my father three months ago. I really need to come and deposit this here to feel carried in my faith. ” Léonide is one of those many anonymous pilgrims who come to cry in a place where the suffering of all existence is recognized. Bernadette had experienced it in such a singular way. The adventure continues for so many others.

At night, we will go to the source

Crossing the night sanctuary is a great experience. After the dispersion of the Marian procession which has just ended, many are still a time near the cave with the procession candlestation already well consumed, sheltered in a case of transparent paper tired of wax. Others prefer to continue walking in the sanctuary, in silence or in intense discussions. We venture for example near the empty benches which, during the day, welcome pilgrims who want to live the gesture of water to swimming pools.

Crossing the bridge overlooking the Gave, a little fresh air crosses you. Blowing above waters, as at the beginning of the world. The dark night also invites you to raise your head. Already, the big bear is guessed. To patients, the wonder of the shooting stars of the night of the perseids can also operate. Then, we approach large wooden shelters in silence. There are the candles deposited to be consumed by pilgrims who join their prayer intentions for their own. A strange ballet takes place there slowly.

Curious people make a selfie in front of the immense candles of more than a fifty meter for some, brought by groups of pilgrims from an Italian diocese, a family of traveling people or a group of Tamil pilgrims. Here also pilgrims pray to the eyes closed in front of the simpler candle that they have just deposited with devotion in a forest of flames. Leaving the sanctuary, a strange impression accompanies you in the merchant streets that are emptying.

Some courageous stores welcome the last tired pilgrims for a final purchase of the day. The bright brands of shops and hotels are made in silence, not without humor. Thus, “the hermitage”, a religious supermarket that attracts crowds, salutes the “Catholic nations”, of smaller size which begins to draw its metal curtain. The “paradise” pays homage to the “Saint Savior”. With all this, how not to go to sleep in peace?

Get back

It is a subtle art that the Sanctuary of Lourdes makes visitors live. Over the course of religious and human processions, everyone takes up a momentum. Of course, in the major Eucharistic celebrations, the priests are particularly -Trop? – in the spotlight in their white chasubles, splitting the crowd that sings and takes a picture of them. But around, other just as beautiful processions improvise. This morning, it is a ballet of strollers that arrive with all the young children who are taken care of by a volley of young hospital workers.

There are also the Eastern Christians who have installed in France for more or less long, carry in this sanctuary the burning recall of these murderous lands where the Christian faith is a minority and often threatened. There is also this rosary of blue chariots which several times a day go back and forth in the sanctuary to transport the elderly, fragile or sick. Everyone is towed by attentive volunteers. Over the days, sometimes a link becomes possible between the one who helps and the one who lets himself be helped. The benevolent meeting between the rising generation and elders who must learn to transmit their life experience to them. “Was our heart not all burning,” said the disciples of Emmaus, “when he opened us on the way?”