After a closure of two months during the confinement, the sanctuaries of Lourdes (Hautes-Pyrenees) gradually recover their activity.
The celebrations of the Assumption attract usually up to 25,000 pilgrims to Lourdes, one of the most important places of christian pilgrimage in the world, but this year the access is limited to 10 000 people, the mask is mandatory, and many patients have given up to make the trip.
“We will be able to accommodate 5000 pilgrims in the basilica of St. Pius X and 5000 in the rest of the shrines”, due to the pandemic of sars coronavirus, assures Vincent Cabanac, director of the national Pilgrimage. On the other hand, the cave is still accessible, “as it is extensive, you can walk like normal,” he says.
the highlight of the pilgrimage, holy mass 10: 00 am, in the basilica, had to be broadcast on giant screens for the faithful who have not been able to access this subterranean church of 200 metres long and 80 wide, which can accommodate 25,000 people in normal times.
summer Offer : Take advantage of the special offer 2 months for 1€ I subscribe
ALSO READ >> And if the miracles of Lourdes were scientifically proven?
After a closure of two months during the confinement, the sanctuaries of Lourdes (Hautes-Pyrenees) gradually recover their activity. But the large contingents of foreign pilgrims are missing, and many hotels and souvenir shops remain closed.
“This is a very important festival for the Church, which celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Heavy revit. We do not forget those who are hit by the coronavirus and the other sufferings of our world, I think in particular of Lebanon, we pray for them”, said the rector of the Sanctuaries of Lourdes, Mgr Olivier Ribadeau Dumas.
right Arm of the Pope
Made a rare, pope Francis has sent his right arm to Lourdes for the pilgrimage, the secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who presides over the celebrations, “a support in a difficult context”, greet Archbishop Ribadeau Dumas.
Since Friday, the port mask is mandatory in the shrines and in the streets located in the vicinity of the temple enclosure. And the rule is strictly adhered to.
along the Gave river, the river that passes in front of the grotto, pilgrims fill in the fountains with their water bottles from Lourdes, a remembrance of the marian city.
READ ALSO >> The patron saints invoked against the Covid-19
Particularity of the 147th edition of the pilgrimage to Lourdes, which claims of miraculous healings, the contingents of patients arriving by trains healthcare, often older and in poor health, will be absent this year.
“It is a heart-breaking not to accommodate these patients, the trains had to be cancelled. But they would not be forgotten. Even if it is widely circulated, on the radio, on TV, on the internet, this is not a virtual pilgrimage, it is real. They endeavour to make the link between Lourdes and those who can’t be there this week”, says the director of the National Pilgrimage, which every year organizes the celebrations of August 15.
Walls untouchables
Other changes, the pilgrims will not be able to ask the hand or kiss the stone of the walls of the Cave where, according to catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Nor take a bath or submerge in swimming pools, in search of miraculous healing.
READ ALSO >> religions organize themselves in the face of containment
A candle in hand, the pilgrims attended Friday evening at the torchlight procession, which was held statically, the image of Mary walking among the nearly 5000 pilgrims who sang and prayed.
Olivia Ndari has already come a dozen times, but she is excited to return to Lourdes. “I am happy, I was baptized here 25 years ago. It puts the balm to the heart, our faith has been sorely tested this year,” says the young Baller. “You live alone(e) his faith, it is difficult, here, we feel galvanized”.
Read our complete file
“Covid-19”, the new coronavirus
QAnon Karen, Maxime Nicolle… Journey to the heart of the galaxy of anti-masks, mask-Wearing extended, over 760 000 people dead… The point on the pandemic in the world of Politics, economy, health… These eight months have changed the face of France
at the entrance of the sanctuaries, a screen indicates the number of pilgrims simultaneously present in the temple enclosure, to the limit of 5,000 is not exceeded. Friday, 22 000 entries have been recorded, spread out in the day, not to exceed 5000, at the same time.
