"Serving
the joy of the guests"
Orientation for the Sanctuary of Lourdes

Mgr Nicolas Brouwet
Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes

N° ISBN : 978-2-914971-33-1
Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes - 65100 Lourdes

CONTENTS

4
Introduction
8
Proclamation of the Gospel
20
Internationalisation
The development of the area of the Grotto
26
A place for the Church
27
The Structures of the Sanctuary222

"… as at Cana, serving
the joy of the guests
under the guidanceof Mary."

The Wedding in Cana - Mosaic by Father Rupnik - Facade of the Rosary Basilica

3Introduction
Gospel according to Saint John 2:1-11“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus
and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty
to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it camefrom (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom
and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an
inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his
disciples began to believe in him.”

4

“Go and tell the priests thatpeople should come here in procession,and that a chapel should be built here.”In the Sanctuary of Lourdes we are servants of
the request made by the Virgin Mary to Bernadetteon Tuesday 2 March 1858, during the thirteenth apparition.
What, therefore, is our mission?
• To welcome pilgrims by providing access to the
Grotto and the spring, and accompanying them in thefootsteps of Bernadette under the guidance of Our
Lady.
• To build a Church by preaching the Gospel, andby celebrating the Sacraments of the Eucharist andReconciliation.
In this poor Grotto of Massabielle a corner of heaven touched the earth so that we may experience thecloseness, tenderness, and joy of God, of which Maryis the face and the servant.

"Our Sanctuary must be a place
where men and women who cometo the Grotto understand how
much they are loved by God."
Our mission is to ensure that all those who come to theSanctuary are touched, before the Grotto, by the unconditional love of Jesus. Our preaching, our projects,
our initiatives, and our work should lead to that. This is
the greatness of our responsibility: as at Cana, serving
the joy of the guests under the guidance of Mary, to let
the Lord do His work in our hearts; a work of mercy.
Our Sanctuary must be a place where men and women who come to the Grotto understand how muchthey are loved by God.

5

Introduction

6

We should always return to this mission; deepening
it, developing it, and adapting it to current circumstances.

“backbone” of our pilgrimage season and dictate therhythm. It is thanks to them that hundreds of thousands of Christians come to the Grotto of Massabielleeach year, often accompanied by their bishops.

Successive Bishops, rectors, chaplains and their collaborators have learned, since theIn these pages I would like to giveapparitions, to serve pilgrims andsome guidelines for the future, so"Our mission is tounderstand their expectations,that together, chaplains and emensure that all thosetheir thirst, their aspirations. They
who come to Sanctuary ployees of the Sanctuary, hospiwere able to explain the messagtality members and pilgrimage diare touched, before
es of Our Lady and understandrectors, volunteers and partners oftheGrotto,bythethe scope and urgency for their
the Sanctuary, can work to better
unconditional lovetime. We inherit a long history of
fulfil the mission entrusted to us. My
of Jesus."celebrating the grace of God andgoal is to give a general direction topreaching the Gospel. The 2008
help in the discernment of our fuJubilee of the 150th anniversary of the apparitions
ture plans and in the decisions that we make. Do notof Mary to Bernadette showed the commitment of
hesitate to raise these issues, not only at meetings in
Catholics to the Sanctuary and its reputation in thethe Sanctuary, but also at pilgrimage conventions andworld. It also showed vitality.
Hospitality meetings!
We have gained our experience in particular byworking with pilgrimage organizations, whether diocesan or associations. Each year more than 600 ofthese groups come to Lourdes. They represent theThese guidelines are the fruit of two year’s work with
the Council of Lourdes, comprised of chaplains andsenior members of staff of the Sanctuary, who meet
together every month.

7

Proclamation of the GospelDuring the coming years it is my wish that we focus our efforts on welcoming individual pilgrims,
sick or disabled people, families and youth.

Some are not Christians, belonging to other religionsor have no beliefs .
We have a special responsibility vis-à-vis these pilgrims. We must continue to welcome those whocome on organized pilgrimages. But we need to thinkof new ways to welcome those who come individually, especially those who come to Lourdes without
We know well that the greater number of pilgrims who
knowing what they will find or how they will expericome are not in pilgrimages organised by a dioceseence those few hours or few days at the Grotto ofor association, but make their own arrangements.
Massabielle.
They are individuals, families, groups of friends. They
Let us start with an assumption: all those who encome to Lourdes for one or more days. Their pilter the gates of Sanctuary have an expectation, agrimage is sometimes part
spiritual anticipation, becauseof a larger trip: a holiday inthey know that in this place"Let us start with an assumption:
the Pyrenees, in France orof apparitions heaven someall those who enter the gates ofEurope. Many already know
how touched the earth. But
Sanctuary have an expectation, a
the Sanctuary. But there are
it is also a very real expectaspiritual anticipation, because they
many people who come fortion vis-à-vis us, because theyknow that in this place of apparitions
the first time and who doneed to be supported in theirheaven somehow touched the earth. approach.
not know the message of
But it is also a very real expectation
Lourdes. Among them some
I wish that, in the coming
vis-à-vis us, because they need to be months, we think about this:are baptized but know litsupported in their approach."tle about the Christian faith.
how to welcome, support

Individual pilgrims

8and provide the newness
wrote Pope Francis in hisof the Gospel to those who
Apostolic Exhortation Evancome on pilgrimage without
gelii Gaudium, “so that theknowing what Lourdes is
Church’s customs, ways
about, without landmarksof doing things, times andin the Christian faith, someschedules, language andtimes without even knowing
structures can be suitably
how to make the sign of thechanneled for the evancross or pray the Our Father.
gelization of today’s world
How are we going to meetrather than for her self-presthem as they are, respectervation. The renewal ofing their own rhythm, but
structures demanded by
A “pilote” at the service of pilgrims.
without fear of announcing
pastoral conversion can
Christ?
only be understood in thisThis is a true work of evangelization which requires
light: as part of an effort to make them more misavailability, listening, patience and a pastoral sense.
sion-oriented, to make ordinary pastoral activity on
It will obviously involve guiding the pilgrims to existing
every level more inclusive and open, to inspire in pasfacilities such as the “day pilgrim” service or films pretoral workers a constant desire to go forth and in thissenting the message of Lourdes. But, above all, it will
way to elicit a positive response from all those whom
also be necessary to take time with just a few people,
Jesus summons to friendship with himself.” Evangelii
without seeking any effectiveness or return.
Gaudium, 27.
“I dream of a ‘missionary option’, that is, a missionThis welcome, this evangelization, is certainly first andary impulse capable of transforming everything”,
foremost the work of chaplains and religious Brothers

9Proclamation of the Gospel
and Sisters. But it may also be that of volunteers, ofyoung people who have the desire to proclaim Christby offering a true Christian initiation.
I wish, in this regard, that we propose fundamental
catechesis in the Sanctuary, to give an educationin the faith to those who seek to advance in theChristian life. The Sanctuary of Lourdes is an ideal
place to encourage and strengthen our relationshipwith Christ.
It is essential also that chaplains continue in the dynamism of the Year of Faith, to ensure the presence andcatechesis in the Grotto, at the baths and the spring,with the desire to show the pilgrims how much they
are loved by God. During the apparitions the Virgin
Mary showed Bernadette the face of God’s tenderness for humanity. This tenderness, this concern, isparticularly visible in the sacrament of confession andreconciliation which is primordial in the pilgrimage to
Lourdes.
In his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, PopeFrancis gives us the key catechesis to all our teaching: “we have rediscovered the fundamental role ofthe first announcement or kerygma, which needs to

10"It is essential also that chaplainscontinue in the dynamism of theYear of Faith, to ensure the presence
and catechesis in the Grotto, at thebaths and the spring, with the desire
to show the pilgrims how much they
are loved by God."be the centre of all evangelizing activity and all efforts
at Church renewal. The kerygma is Trinitarian. The fireof the Spirit is given in the form of tongues and leads
us to believe in Jesus Christ who, by his death andresurrection, reveals and communicates to us the Father’s infinite mercy. On the lips of the catechist thefirst proclamation must ring out over and over: ‘Jesus
Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; andnow he is living at your side every day to enlighten,
strengthen and free you.’ ”Evangelii Gaudium, 164.
Our objective is that each pilgrim should leave
Lourdes with this message of hope in the heart.

Pilgrims coming to Lourdes

ga

nis

ed

p il g ri m a g e

by their own meansIndividuels
FamillesGroups of friends

in a

no

r

Pilgrimageorganised by a
Dioceseor Association

Father Michel Baute, Chaplain of the Sanctuary.

11

Proclamation of the Gospel
Sick and disabled
peopletheir commitment to Christ in their prayer, their joy
and trust in the Lord. They strengthen our hope. We
have much evidence of this, very often from younger
pilgrims.
In this regard, some pilgrimages seek to promote
In Lourdes they have pride of place. I think we can begreater autonomy for the sick or disabled. It is true thatproud of the manner in which they are welcomed, in
Lourdes has a long history of supporting these pilgrims,
particular at the Accueil Notre-Dame, by the Sisters ofespecially through the Brancardiers and all those whoSaint-Frai, and at the Salus Infirmorum of UNITALSI.
assist the residents of the different Accueils. But new
Why do the sick or disabled come to Lourdes? To
initiatives emerge to give the sick people the greatmake a pilgrimage in faith.
est possible autonomy. SomeOur mission is to make thisgroups offer them the possi“…In Lourdes they have pride of place. I
pilgrimage possible and fruitbility, for example, of staying
think we can be proud of the manner inful. It is essential that eachin the hotel with valid pilgrims.
which they are welcomed, in particularof them is involved, as far as
I think we need to reflect, withat the Accueil Notre-Dame, by thepossible, in the preparation
all those who are engaged in
Sisters of Saint-Frai, and at the Salusof the pilgrimage, and thatthese services, on these iniInfirmorum of UNITALSI.”
we know how to listen totiatives and our way of being
them before, during and afpresent to the sick pilgrims.
ter the journey: attentive to their projects, their desires
Finally, we know that the number of sick people
and expectations.
is decreasing slightly, especially those who are most
Do not forget that often these are sick or disabled
severely afflicted. This is partly due to the increasing
people who evangelize the “able-bodied” people bydifficulty in transporting them to the Sanctuary by rail.

12Serving the sick at the Accueil Notre-Dame.

13

Proclamation of the Gospel"Do not forget that often theseare sick or disabled people who
evangelize the "able-bodied" people
by their commitment to Christ in
their prayer, their joy and trust in theLord. They strengthen our hope. We
have much evidence of this, very
often from younger pilgrims."
But there is another, deeper, reason: we hesitate toinvite people with fragile health to Lourdes. In hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, the management is reluctant, in principle, to allow residents to travel. That is
why it is families, visitors, and chaplaincy teams who,
in an act of trust in God, must encourage them to go
to Lourdes; not to expect a miracle, but to strengthen
their faith, their hope, and their personal roots in thelife of grace.
In collaboration with Hospitalities and directors ofpilgrimages, we shall put forward proposals to dioceses and chaplaincies to facilitate the journey toLourdes by the most vulnerable people.

14

Families
Families especially need to be supported and helped.
Many of them seek places of healing in faith where
everyone, parents and children, may be encouraged intheir Christian life. Bernadette’s personality, her humble
spiritual journey under the guidance of Mary, the life offaith and prayer of the Soubirous family at the Boly Milland the Cachot, and the climate of affection that reigned
within it, are all subjects of meditation for families.
In cooperation with all the departments of theSanctuary, the Cité Saint-Pierre, religious communities of Lourdes, guest houses and hotels, we shallsee how we may accommodate families, particularly
those who lack financial resources to undertake sucha journey. We should also work towards providing facilities for caring for young children to give parents theopportunity to take time for themselves.
Note that many grandparents take their grandchildren to Lourdes to help them discover this place ofgrace and healing during the holidays. We would also
like to encourage and help organize such visits.

The Sanctuary is a real schoolof life for young people:

15

Proclamation of the Gospel
Families especially need tobe supported and helped.
Many of them seek places ofhealing in faith where everyone,
parents and children, may be
encouraged in their Christianlife. Bernadette’s personality,
her humble spiritual journey
under the guidance of Mary, thelife of faith and prayer of the
Soubirous family at the Boly Milland the Cachot, and the climateof affection that reigned within
it, are all subjects of meditation
for families.
16Young people
The Sanctuary is a real school of life for young people:
through the liturgy, the service to the sick and disabled, the experience of the universal Church. Lourdes
is an ideal place to discover, implement or develop
the foundations of the Christian life: praising God, thesacramental life, the service to others - especially themost fragile – opening to catholicity, meeting Christian communities in all their diversity, proximity to allstates of life, fraternal meetings with priests and bishops - pastors of the Church.
With the “Youth Service” of the Sanctuary, we will see
how to develop new proposals, especially so thatyoung people may be ardent witnesses of the faith inChrist among their peers.

"…through the liturgy, the service to the sick and disabled, the experience of the universal
Church. Lourdes is an ideal place to discover, implement or develop the foundations of theChristian life…"

17

Proclamation of the Gospel"…praising God, the sacramental life, the service
to others - especially the most fragile – opening
to catholicity, meeting Christian communities inall their diversity, proximity to all states of life,
fraternal meetings with priests and bishops pastors of the Church."18

Understanding
the needs of pilgrims
It seems necessary to develop a survey tool to knowhow pilgrims judge the quality of our reception andfacilities. It is very difficult to make decisions if wehave no objective way of knowing those who cometo the Sanctuary and whether we are meeting their
expectations. Without these investigative means ourreasoning is based on impressions or feelings that
do not always correspond to reality. It is true that thepilgrimage directors are valuable colleagues, but wealso have to collect the opinions of those who do notcome in organized groups.
We should also expand our dialogue space on theinternet to keep in touch with pilgrims, and to notecarefully their questions and suggestions, including
those of a spiritual nature.

19

InternationalisationT

he pilgrims from other continents are more andmore numerous. They come in small groups or infamilies; sometimes with sick people, and oftenwith young children. They come from India, Sri Lanka,
Australia, the USA, Brazil, the Middle East, China, Korea, Japan, Africa…
Many of them come in contact with friends who live in
religious communities in Lourdes (I am thinking here of
the Korean, Lebanese and Chinese Sisters) and arethus introduced to the Sanctuary. We must continue
this effort to make the Sanctuary accessible and welcoming to pilgrims from all continents.
It is through our website that the message of Lourdes
will be better understand, and also the opportunities forcoming here on pilgrimage. I would like us to develop thissite with versions in Arabic, Chinese and Portuguese.
With our online TV our site can also be a help, a support, for those who cannot come to Lourdes andyet want to be in communion with those who pray at
the Grotto.
We need to rework the signage in the Sanctuary. To
simplify it and indicate very clearly the most important
places connected with the pilgrimage. We should also
consider the new languages so that all the pilgrims feel

20

Internationalisation

LOURDESwelcome. It will also be necessary to have leaflets containing a summary of the message of Lourdes available
in these languages.
We must also continue the work that has been done
to integrate the diversity of languages in the liturgy andin processions. Besides the French, Italian, English andSpanish, we should always be attentive to majority
groups present, to provide a reading, prayer intentions
or part of the Rosary in their language.
However care must be taken not to prolong the ceremonies by repeated readings in the Mass. Translation of
texts on screen may suffice.
Generally speaking different languages must be welcomed to the extent of our ability. But the use of theselanguages should never take precedence over theproper conduct of the liturgy, its beauty, its simplicity or
its compliance with the rituals.
Be attentive, moreover, that languages do not comeinto competition with each other. I ask everyone to beunderstanding about this and not to develop a spiritof discontent and division. It is the Spirit of Pentecost
which should animate us and not the dispersion of Babel. (Gen. 11:1-9).
The pilgrims from other continents are more and more numerous.

21

The development of the area of the GrottoT

he area of the Grotto – from the Rosary Esplanade to the bridge beyond the baths – is theheart of our Sanctuary. There are so many pilgrims precisely because the place lends itself to receiving the grace of Lourdes. The place of the Apparitions is easily accessible; it is open to the heavens (inevery sense of the word!). The pilgrims are welcomed
onto the Esplanade as if into a mother’s arms. Thereis no door to cross, no stairs to climb. They are there,
immediately, on the spot where Bernadette stood before Mary. And with all those present, irrespective of
their condition, they can offer up their prayers as poor
people before God.
We must take care of this place of grace. In the
coming three years we would like to develop it in order to:• render the pilgrims’ path more coherent,• promote silence and meditation at the Grotto,• find solutions to the flow of groups during theseason,• give more harmony to the entire site.
Working with an architectural firm it seemed wise

22

"promote silence andmeditation at the Grotto"
to rethink this whole space even if the work will takeseveral years for financial reasons.
• The area between the esplanade of the Rosary and the Grotto will be designed as a preparatory
space for contemplation and silent prayer. We will not
only remove medal distributors and candle kiosks,
but also the taps, to avoid distractions and noise.
This area will be planted with trees and invite silence.
• The area in front of the Grotto will remain open
to the sky. The layout of the ground will indicate thisplace of prayer and meditation. The furniture will berenewed as will the lighting of the Grotto.
• The area currently reserved for candles will be
devoted to the gesture of drinking and washing that
Mary asked of Bernadette, and which is part of the
tradition of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Pilgrims will
therefore access the taps after their visit to the Grotto,
which is more coherent.

23

The development of the area of the Grotto• These new taps will not be designed to fill containers with Lourdes water. This area must be reserved
for the gesture asked of Bernadette. Filling bottles
and containers with water is not an act of prayer. It
causes a lot of noise and movement. It may be done
elsewhere; it remains for us to find a suitable place.
• The current storage place for candles will be replaced by a secondary sacristy for the Grotto. Indeed
the current sacristy is too small for a large numberof concelebrants. The new building, equal in area tothe former, will also contain a rest area for Hospitality
members. The sacristy will be refitted with a chapel
for the Blessed Sacrament.
• The baths will remain where they are and will therefore not be moved to the other side of the Gave. We
shall review their interior design. We are also working
on restructuring the waiting area in front of the baths.
• A new bridge will be built in front of the baths.
After this bridge, on the opposite bank of the Gaveleading towards the Church of St. Bernadette, wewill have the candle holders. They will form a chapel of light and allow pilgrims to place their individual24candles (the larger candles will remain at their current
location).
• The new bridge will therefore give pilgrims access to the chapel of light and allow them to returnto the esplanade or exits without passing in front of
the Grotto. This gateway will also allow all pilgrims residing Accueil Notre-Dame to go to the pool without
having to go to the Grotto.
• Another bridge will be built later in front of theentrance to the Accueil Notre Dame, near the statueof St. John Mary Vianney. So that the residents of theAccueil will not have to go under the arches to get totheir accommodation.
All this of course must be done in collaboration
with the State departments responsible for protective measures against flooding. In this regard studies are underway to examine ways in which to protect the most vulnerable areas in the case of future
flooding.

Development of thearea of the Grotto
Render thepilgrims’
path more
coherent

Promotesilence andmeditation
at the Grotto

Find solutions
to the flowof groups
duringthe season

Give more
harmony
to theentire site25

A place for the ChurchIn the longer term, it seems necessary to rethink thearea of the pavilions, the Chapelle Notre Dame andthe building housing the Bernadette museum andCommunication Services. This area is located in aflood zone. We shall of course here also collaborate
with the municipality of Lourdes and the services of
the Prefecture. We shall also work with officials of the
Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Pavilions

26

to redevelop this area into a place where meetings,
parties, and picnics can take place; in short, a living space for all pilgrims. The Sanctuary itself is morereserved for prayer and liturgy. We lack a place ofconviviality which could include rooms available toChurch Movements and Services during the season,
and also facilities for informal meetings, and group or
family celebrations or meals.

The Structures of the Sanctuary
General organisation
In 2013 two projects were completed:• We regrouped the Services within the Sanctuary
by sector. It became urgent to find a coherent organization to facilitate the work and collaboration of thetwenty-two Services within the Sanctuary. The creation of these sectors allows greater autonomy, better
coordination between them, and ease of communication, thanks to the Council of the Sanctuary whichbrings together the heads of each sector together
with the Rector and the Financial Controller.
• The communication services were consolidated
and an audit was carried out to clarify the objectives
and organization of this department.
In the coming years we shall be working towards
further collaboration between the sectors and theservices on the one hand, and also between thechaplains and heads of sectors.
In addition, we are beginning to work on a more fruitful cooperation between employees and volunteers.
We have a long experience of this in Lourdes: since

the early pilgrimages, chaplains, employees, Religious
Brothers and Sisters, and volunteers work together toreceive pilgrims. We also need to clarify the responsibilities and methods of work between the Hospitality of
Our Lady of Lourdes and the “Pilote” service. The aimof all this is to improve the quality of our welcome, andalso to strengthen the spirit of service and fellowship
between all those who work at the Sanctuary.

Development
Department
We shall create a Department in the Sanctuary responsible for Development. This is a new function.
The mission of this new service will be to raise awareness of the Sanctuary to the outside world, to work
more closely with the economic players of the Region, and seek new revenue for the Sanctuary.
• Raise awareness of the Sanctuary: to establish
contacts with travel agencies to arrange visits to
Lourdes by Christians from other continents.

27

The Structures of the Sanctuary• To work more closely with the economic playersof the Region means to develop the necessary collaboration with Lourdes and its neighbouring towns,
tourist offices, hotels, airport and tourist sites to coordinate our efforts to serve pilgrims.
• Finding new sources of revenue means not only
seeking funds from French and foreign benefactors
but also to develop, from the current bookshop, asmall commercial business to ensure the financial
stability of our Sanctuary.
We shall therefore be employing a new director forthis Development department this year.

"…since the early pilgrimages,
chaplains, employees, Religious
Brothers and Sisters, andvolunteers work together toreceive pilgrims."

28

Several Communities work at the Mass Bureau in the Sanctuary of
Lourdes: The Ploërmel Brothers, the Sisters of the Society of Helpers of theHoly Souls, the Daughters of the Most Immaculate Virgin of Lourdes, theSisters of Saint Joseph of Tarbes, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint-Marc(our photo), and the Casa di Maria (consecrated lay Italians).

29

The Structures of the Sanctuary
A balanced budget
Even if the economic situation is fragile and the numberof pilgrims is decreasing, we must imperatively achievea balanced budget in 2015. We are therefore looking for
new sources of income. We also expect the organizedpilgrimages to assume their responsibilities by paying theparticipation required of them.
We shall also be vigilant about our spending, trying torationalize our purchases and services for pilgrimages.
As we have done in 2013, some people retiring will not
be replaced. Perhaps we shall also, in the coming years,
slightly reduce the number of seasonal positions. This will
always be done with great attention to individuals andtheir particular circumstances.
I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers of theSanctuary. After almost two years with you, I salute bothyour professionalism and availability in accommodating
all the pilgrims. The economic crisis and floods on the
one hand, the crisis of the Christian faith on the other
hand, contributed to the decrease in the number of pilgrims. This does not prevent us from making plans and30

being inventive. Our Sanctuary has a future if it is faithful
to the mission entrusted to it and if it understands thethirst of those who come to drink at the spring. It is precisely in times of crisis, doubt, and trials that we mustwelcome those who come to seek light and hope in the
Sanctuary of Lourdes.
I would also like to thank all those who are our partners: the Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes and all theother Hospitalities, Associations and Pilgrimage Directors, Religious congregations, our generous donors, thecity of Lourdes, the Hautes Pyrenees and the Midi-Pyrenees. It is thanks to your cooperation, your efforts, yourconfidence and your love for Lourdes that we can accommodate so many pilgrims every year. We are happy to cooperate with you and we confirm our continued
availability to you.
Finally I thank the Rector and all the Chaplains of theGrotto. Thank you for your ministry of preaching andreconciliation! Thank you for the hope you give to thepilgrims by the celebration of the sacraments, by yourwords, by your presence, for your prayers!
For you all I invoke the blessing of the Lord through theintercession of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette.

A part of the Council of Lourdes.

In conclusion, for your reflection, I would like to leave
you with the words of Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium: “There is a Marian ‘style’ to
the Church’s work of evangelization. Whenever we look
to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness (…) This interplayof justice and tenderness, of contemplation and concern
for others, is what makes the ecclesial community look
to Mary as a model of evangelization. We implore hermaternal intercession that the Church may become ahome for many peoples, a mother for all peoples, andthat the way may be opened to the birth of a new world.”
Lourdes, 11 February 2014

+ Nicolas Brouwet
Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes

31Date d’impression : Février 2014
Conseil Imprime - 65000 Tarbes
Dépôt légal : Février 2014