Our Lady of Lourdes

Lourdes: The Anniversary of the Apparitions

On February 11, 1858, a 14-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous saw the first of a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in a grotto near Lourdes, France. Those visions would forever change the girl and the lives of millions who have made pilgrimages to Lourdes for healing, hope, and inspiration.

Bernadette Sees A Vision

Bernadette, who is now Saint Bernadette, was gathering wood when she saw the first apparition at the Grotto. She returned frequently to the site, and saw a total of 18 apparitions. She prayed before the vision and often fell into an ecstasy. Bernadette remained the only one who could see the lady in the vision, who she said was "lovelier than I have ever seen." Bernadette eventually became a nun. She died in 1879 and was canonized as a saint in 1933.

A Spring Gushes Forth

When Bernadette saw a vision on Feb. 25, 1858, she said the lady, now known as Our Lady of Lourdes, spoke to her. She told Bernadette to drink from a spring. "I found only a little muddy water," Bernadette said. That water became a spring that still flows today. The water is believed by many to have healing properties. To others, it's a powerful symbol of hope and grace. Pilgrims come from around the world to bathe in the spring water. Many take bottles of the water home.

Tourists Come to Lourdes

Even when Bernadette was going to the Grotto to see the vision, the curious and the faithful joined her. Today, Lourdes is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the world. More than 6 million people a year visit. Devout believers and spiritual seekers alike can choose from a wide variety of religious icons and souvenirs. The images of the Virgin Mary shown here are dressed as Bernadette said Mary appeared to her, wearing a long white dress with a blue sash.

Pilgrims Light Candles at the Grotto

Before the fourth Marian apparition, young Bernadette went to the Grotto carrying a lighted, blessed candle. Since then it has been a tradition for pilgrims to leave candles burning there.

Pope John Paul II Prays at Lourdes

In August 2004, less than a year before his death, Pope John Paul II made a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Hundreds of thousands of people prayed with the pope during his visit there. In a general audience after his journey, the pope said, "I would like to thank God, who, in his goodness, allowed me to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes. I thank the Blessed Virgin for the atmosphere of deep prayer and meditation of this encounter..."

Pilgrims Observe the Jubilee Year

On Feb. 11, 2008, the anniversary of the first apparition, more than 50,000 people participated in a special Mass at Lourdes. There were celebrations throughout 2008, the Jubilee Year. Pope Benedict XVI made a pilgrimage there in September 2008. The anniversary was so significant that the Vatican announced the pope would grant plenary indulgences for those who travel to Lourdes in 2008, and to those who visited a shrine or sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in February, 2008. An indulgence is a remission of temporal punishment for sins, and a plenary indulgence is the remission of all punishment.

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