‘We judge that Mary Immaculate, Mother of God, really appeared to Bernadette on 11 February
1858, and on following days to the number of eighteen days in all in the Grotto of Massabieille,
near the town of Lourdes, that this apparition is endowed with all the characters of truth
and that the faithful are justified in believing in it with certainty.’
Bernadette became a nun when she was older and join the Sisters of Charity of Nevers to escape from all the attention she received. In 1864 a marble statue was set up with the description given by Bernadette and it still stands there today.
Lourdes is this special site of pilgrimage because of this story and the belief that the sick and the handicapped that come to this shrine can be healed. When pilgrims first come to Lourdes the first place they go to is the Grotto where Bernadette saw her visions of the Virgin Mary. The Grotto is placed in an area called the domain and it includes the important churches, buildings and hospitals in Lourdes. Anyone who enter the Domain is asked to remember that it is a place of pilgrimage and that people go there to pray or for silence. Inside the Grotto there is s small altar and above it to the right is the statue of the Virgin Mary, standing approximately where Bernadette saw her visions. When pilgrims visit this part of Lourdes they often take it in turns to touch, stroke or kiss the stone beneath the statue. They can also leave requests for help and prayers. Behind the altar the spring which the apparition asked Bernadette to dig is placed. The cave has an atmosphere of love and concern. There is usually a large crowd yet there is silence and respect for those praying.
Another place to visit at Lourdes is the Basilica, which is a large church incorporating a Rosary church and the large Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Above the door of the Rosary Church is a white marble relief showing the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Heaven. In this church mass is celebrated when pilgrims visit. This is a great feeling for pilgrims as they are inside the church the Virgin Mary asked to be built. Being able to take mass is very important for pilgrims because they are praying and worshipping God. At mass prayers are said for the troubled people across the world and for the people who made there way on pilgrimage to Lourdes. The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is more traditionally decorated with ornaments and in both places there is an atmosphere of quiet contemplation just like the grotto in the cave. Between the two churches is the crypt. Entering the crypt the pilgrim would walk along a corridor to a small chapel in permanent semi-darkness. Here pilgrims can sit in silence meditating and the only light in the crypt comes from a flickering candle which is placed on the altar.
In her visions as well as being asked to build a church the lady asked Bernadette to have processions there often and these take place every afternoon from the grotto led by the Bishop. During this procession the Bishop would hold the Blessed monstrance, a wafer of unleavened bead, high up so everyone can see it. The Bishop then blesses all the sick and handicapped people by holding it above their head and saying a prayer for them. In the evening pilgrims form crowds and light candles to show that God is the light of the world and that he is with us always. They also offer prayers to God and to all in the world who are sick.
Another place to visit at Lourdes would be there baths where people can bathe in the water. This is a reminder of when the lady asked Bernadette to scratch the ground and wash and drink the water there. This would remind them of the story and how Bernadette felt at the time. After drinking this water people have told stories of miracle cures, of people who could not walk but after visiting Lourdes were suddenly able to and people who were blind being able to see gain. Pilgrims can also walk the 14 Stations of the Cross, reminding them of the 14 stages of Christ’ journey. There are life size bronze figures to remind them of each station and many people walk this barefooted to show that they are sharing in Jesus, suffering and showing their sorrow for their sins. Pilgrims can also visit Bernadette’s grave where her body lies. This would be important for many pilgrims because they can see the person who had the Blessed Virgin Mary appear to her many times and was the reason for them all visiting Lourdes year after year.
Every year thousand upon thousands of pilgrims visit Lourdes to learn more about these visions and the story of Bernadette. Each site in Lourdes holds a particular story for the history of the place and is a very important site of pilgrimage for any Christians in the world.
