Bernadette and all the chil-dren in the Soubirous fami-ly grew up enfolded in their parents’ love.

Her parents, François and Louise Castérot, are mar-ried on 9th January 1843

and immediately settle in the Boly Mill. This relationship will survive despite life’s difficulties including several deaths. Nine children are born to the Soubirous couple. Three will die in their first year of life, two others in infancy. Little Bernadette is born on 7th January 1844 and she is baptised two days later in the Parish Church of Saint-Pierre in Lourdes.

From the mill of happiness to social disgrace Even if the life of a miller is not as attractive and poetic as that

AN AUTHENTIC LOVE STORYdepicted by novelists, to belong to a family of millers, nonethe-less, represented a certain social standing. From the outside, the Boly Mill is a mill of happiness. As industrial mills begin to appear in the valley, the financial situation of the Soubirous becomes more and more difficult. The little mill is no longer profitable. Besides, François is not always paid for his flour. He is well known by locals for being too ‘good’. In 1849 François loses his left eye when chiselling the millstone. Eventually the Soubir-ous family leaves the mill in 1854; they have no money left to pay the rent. For the family this is the beginning of a long journey from one failure to another, from one abode to another. Setbacks follow one after the other and Bernadette is struck by cholera. Famine spreads in the region.

Life in the cachotAbout the time of All Saints day in 1856 the Soubirous family ends up in the rue des Petits-Fossés. Their cousin, Sajous, agrees to house them in what is described at the time as a ‘foul, gloomy hovel’! It is referred to by the neighbours as the ‘cachot’ or ‘jail’. The Soubirous family is utterly destitute. They hire themselves out as labour wherever they are needed on a daily basis for less than the hire of a horse. Bernadette helps her godmoth-

er who runs a tavern. Her sister, Toinette, looks after her little brothers. As the months go by, their situation does not improve, in fact it deteriorates. Nonetheless they remain united.

Faithfulness to prayer The Sajous family, living above the ‘cachot’, hears them reciting the rosary every evening. Their plight worsens. François is accused of stealing two bags of flour by the baker Maisongrosse. He is thrown in prison and freed eight days later because he is innocent. Bernadette, at 13 years of age, still cannot read nor write and only speaks in the local dialect. She is sent as a servant to her former wet-nurse in Bartrès where she does the housework and looks after the sheep. In the evenings, Marie Laguës has great difficulty in teaching her the basics of her catechism. Far from her family the young girl is too lonely and per-suades her father to take her back to Lourdes. She is also determined to make her First Communion. On 21st January 1858 she is back in the ‘cachot’. Her parents enrol her in a free class provided by the Sis-ters of Charity of Nevers who look after the Hospice in Lourdes. The following 11th February is the day of the first Apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette.

Mathias Terrier

TESTIMONY OFTHE SOUBIROUS FAMILY1

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When young people come to Lourdes they take home

many souvenirs. Who are these most often for? Their families. Some water, a rosary, a picture, a trinket, all this is for “my Grandma, my Mum, my brother, my sister” etc. Very often the families have paid for the journey. Sometimes it is a gift for their Communion or Confirmation. Yes, families are present in Lourdes even when the young people are happy to come on their own for a few days! And when elderly people come to Lourdes, they carry their children, grandchildren, a sick or deceased spouse in their hearts and prayers. Lourdes unites families, beyond separation and distance, to the extent that they are present in the prayers of all those who come, even on their own. Whole families come here also, and it is not always easy for them. The Nevers Pilgrimage often coincides with that of the Travellers who always come as a family. Some of the families in our diocesan pilgrimages come by

car. The pilgrimage is a special time to gather as a family and draw a surfeit of love and hope from the Source of Massabielle. Last year families from a popular district worked together through-out the year to finance their trip. The children of this neighbour-hood who called themselves ‘the young people of hope, the children of faith and tiny tots of love’ came together for various religious activities. They published a newsletter which they sold on different occasions to enable their families to go to Lourdes. A deep joy motivated this group, the joy of the poor in heart to whom Mary likes to speak. Families are also present in the Hospitality ser-vice because there again it is often a family affair, the commitment of a couple, the transmission of the spirit of service. The Hospitality it-self is a big family. Lourdes started with a young girl, still a child, who was called at a time when her family was in dire poverty. Berna-dette returned to the Grotto often against the wishes of her parents,

but no doubt her family was very much in her prayers! At the Grot-to, I see parents who push or carry their disabled child, accom-pany an elderly parent or come as a family to touch the rock. In a more discreet way I also listen to all those confessions of men, women and young people who find, in Lourdes, a path to peace and reconciliation. Thank you, Lord, you still perform wonders in Lourdes!

Mgr Thierry Brac de la Perrière, Bishop of Nevers

EXPERIENCE LOURDES AS A FAMILY

This is a house where you can enter without knocking – I’m at home here! The Door of Mercy in this Jubilee Year was an open door in Lourdes, the door to the heart of a mother, the door to the heart of God, this Father who goes as far as giving up His Son, his side pierced on the Cross. The family of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Naz-areth, the Soubirous family in Lourdes, the family we form in coming here. The family is a gift and a call. Nowadays in Europe it is a challenge. The laws of competition, the dominance of money, cause individuals to isolate themselves, to mistrust each other and fight for survival. To avoid collective suicide, we must learn to live with each other in the image of the Holy Trinity. In Lourdes, we discover this grace as a family: each one is loved for what he is, not for what he brings. And the weakest discovers he has something to give which cannot be bought, the mere presence of a fellow traveller. Each person can say to the other, “It is good for me that you are here!” Bernadette knows that the Lady needs her; she can see she is respected “as a person”. Our families might run the risk of monotony. A pilgrimage will help us to rediscover ourselves in the light that illuminates the meeting of Mary and Bernadette, a path is offered to us: take time together; let the source of free love re-emerge even through the hard shell of habits and resentments; find the solid rock on which we will lean for a new phase in our lives.

Father André Cabes

Lourdes, a family home

Delving deeper...

Each year around 18th

February, the Feast of Saint Bernadette in France, the Sanctuary invites couples to experience a week of spiritual renewal, du-ring which they renew their wedding vows.Details: www.lourdes-france.orgContact : Service Jeunes et Familles+33 (0)5 62 42 78 38sjeunes@lourdes-france.com

Contact : Service Jeunes et Familles / +33 (0)5 62 42 78 38 / sjeunes@lourdes-france.com

4 - The wonders of Lourdes

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The Journal of the Sanctuary - #27 - Free

NewsLourdes

1 avenue Mgr Théas / 65108 Lourdes cedex-FRANCEwww.lourdes-france.orgTel. +33 (0)5 62 42 78 78

SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Christians mark holy week this year from 9th to 16th April: they commemo-rate and celebrate the Passion of Christ and His resurrection. For the past 2000 years they have set out to follow the path of Jesus towards Calvary. Did you know? At the Sanctuary there is a Way of the Cross, winding through a steep, forested site, the Espélugues, the entrance of which is opposite the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. 115 patinated iron castings mark the 15 stations. On the descent of this Way of the Cross you can also discover the Grotto of Consolation, designed to help parents who have lost a child before birth. (See our article on page 2).

AGENDAMASS IN ENGLISH at 9.00am every day in the Chapel of Sts. Cosmas and Damian.ROSARY IN ENGLISH at 2.30pm at the Grotto everyMonday and Wednesday (broadcast live on EWTN)

EVERY DAYROSARY3.30pm Grotto (in French) 6.00pm Grotto (in Italian) EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION 5.00pm from the Prairie to the Basilica of Saint Pius XTORCHLIGHT PROCESSION 9.00pm from the Grotto to the Rosary esplanadeSUNDAYS AND WEDNESDAYSINTERNATIONAL MASS9.30am Underground Basilica of Saint Pius Xfollowed by the Angelus at the Grotto on Sundays.THURSDAYSROSARY 2.30PM Grotto (IN SPANISH)(broadcast on EWTN on Sunday)

7th APRIL: 17th APPARITIONTHE MIRACLE OF THE CANDLEAt the Grotto, the 17th apparition is silent but marked by the miracle of the candle. Its flame touches Bernadette’s hand for half an hour, without burning it.

APRIL 2017

For times of other Masses in English,please enquire at the Information CentreTel. +33 (0)5 62 42 20 08

?DID YOU KNOWStatistics on the distribution of pilgrims by nationality confirm that pilgrims from Asia are constantly on the increase. The message of Lourdes speaks to all nations and cultures. Asia is becoming the region of the world most represented in Lourdes, after France, Italy and Spain.

Discover the upper Way of the Cross

wondersLourdes

the

of“The Almighty has done great things for me”

SANCTUARY OUR LADY OF LOURDES

1 avenue Mgr Théas / 65100 Lourdes-FRANCEwww.lourdes-france.orgTel. +33 (0)5 62 42 78 78

SANCTUARY

SANCTUAIRE

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Sick or disabled persons often make a significant human effort to come

to Lourdes. This often entails, in addition, a considerable financial

effort. The mission of the employees and volunteers in the Accueil

Notre-Dame is to ensure they are not disappointed.

That is why they work hard to make them feel good, and also to ensure

that they enjoy a maximum of comfort and safety. They are part of the

great chain of solidarity, so that everyone, and particularly the most

vulnerable, should be received with dignity in Lourdes. The Accueil mainly

receives pilgrims who come in groups, but it is also open to those who

wish to come individually.

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• You have decided to come on your own.

You must first contact us to set a date

suitable for you, and to receive information

about the conditions of stay. Once this first

contact is established, a registration form is

sent to you confirming your booking.You

must imperatively be accompanied by one

or more carers..

Accueil Notre-DameSanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes

65108 Lourdes Cedex Tel : +33 (0)5 62 42 80 61 and-lourdes@lourdes-france.com

Share your experienceswith #ANDLOURDES

• You are coming with an organised pilgri-

mage. To find the name of your local Pil-

grimage Director, you should contact your

local priest or: Conference of Lourdes Pilgri-

mage Directors of Great Britain, United Irish

Pilgrimages to Lourdes, Our Lady of Lourdes

Hospitality - North American Volunteers.

at the heart of the Sanctuary of Lourdesthe Accueil Notre-DameWelcome to

SANCTUARY

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Holy week in the Sanctuary9th April: Palm Sunday 9.30am Blessing of the palms on the Rosary Es-planade, followed by the International Mass in the Basilica of Saint Pius X. Jesus returned to Jerusalem six days before the Jewish Passover. The crowd had carpeted the ground with palm branches to acclaim Jesus on his entry into the city. Catholics carry palm branches to commemorate this event. Once they are blessed, they are carried by the faithful as they follow Christ on their journey to Easter.13th April: Holy Thursday 8.30pm Celebration of the Last Supper in the Basilica of Saint Pius X, followed by Adoration until midnight in the Rosary Basilica.14th April: Good Friday 3.00pm Celebration of the Passion, Basilica of Saint Pius X. 8.30pm International Way of the Cross, Rosary Esplanade.15th April: Holy Saturday 8.30pm Blessing of the new fire and Easter Vigil, Basilica of Saint Pius X.16th April: Easter Sunday 9.30am International Mass, Basilica of Saint Pius X. Etymologically speaking, ‘Easter ’ means ‘passage’: by his resurrec-tion, Christ saved man from sin and called him to eternal life. This is why Easter, celebrated by a solemn Mass, is the summit of the Christian liturgical calendar.

16th APRIL: ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATHOF BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS

AVAILABLE AT THE SANCTUARY BOOKSHOP 36 PAGES - €9.90

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“The Almighty has done great things for me!” (Luke 1:49), is this year’s theme for pilgrims and visitors. The Sanctuary officials have opened new paths to enable everyone to place their trust in God despite difficulties and hardships.

Follow the new paths! THE PATH OFTHE MAGNIFICAT

1 Rendezvous at the Crowned Virgin. Bernadette will guide you in Mary’s foot-steps. She whom you see as a shepherdess on the Proces-sion Esplanade invites us to become small and humble to receive the gift of God.2 At the end of the Espla-

nade, we stop at the great Cross of the Breton Calvary. Like Bernadette, let us aban-don ourselves into the merci-ful and forgiving arms of God. 3 Just beside, the Support

Centre for disabled people can help you share your own concerns or those close to you. You may then visit two places: the Office of Medi-cal Observations on the first floor of the Accueil Jean-Paul II with its museum of the Mi-raculously Cured, and the Chapel of Reconciliation near the statue of the Curé of Ars where a priest awaits you to help you receive the grace of forgiveness. The miracle of Lourdes is a transformed heart.4 Afterwards, you can take

the footbridge leading to the Accueil Notre-Dame, where sick or disabled pilgrims are accommodated. A religious Sister or a hospitality member will show you round and ena-ble you to discover the extent to which weakness, visible or invisible, can become an op-portunity for trust.

The stages

SUPPORT THE SANCTUARYThe economic model of the Sanctuary of Lourdes depends essentially on the generosity of pilgrims and benefactors. Lourdes has always been able to accommodate the crowds thanks to the support of a large number of the faithful who, through their offerings, have helped to build a beautiful Sanctuary, both respectful of its natural setting and also functional enough to welcome pilgrims from throughout the world. By your donation, join us, the great family of the Friends of Lourdes: Sanctuary of Our lady of Lourdes – Service des donateurs – 1, avenue Mgr Théas – 65108 Lourdes Cedex www.lourdes-france.org

It is preferable to follow the whole Way of the Cross on the hill of the Espélugues before arriving at ‘the Consolation’. However if this is not possible, the Grotto of the Magdalene may also be accessed via the end of the Way of the Cross. You will see the ‘Grotto of the two Marys marked by the presence of the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the Cross.Parents who have lost a child before birth, a child who has no grave or sometimes even a name, are invited to give their child a name here. These names will be entered by the Sœurs moniales in the High Pyrenees in the Book of life, which will be placed afterwards in the Adora-tion Chapel of the Sanctuary. These names will thereby be inscribed in the secret of the Heart of God.

THE PATH OF CONSOLATION

TO HELP YOU FOLLOW THESE PATHS, YOU SHOULD OBTAIN A COPY OF THE SPIRITUAL GUIDE“The Almighty has done great things for me!” This booklet written by Father André Cabes, Rector of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, offers meditations, hymns and prayers.

Available in the Sanctuary Bookshop (44 pages – €6)

Keep in touch!Do you wish to extend your pilgrimage experience?

Several tools are available to enable Lourdes to

continue to support your life of faith and prayer: A

free application for your smartphone, web TV, the

website www.lourdes-france.org (a new version will

soon be available), social networks, our e-newsletter,

our online candle service...

Further information: Service Communication

Tel +33 (0)5 62 42 78 01

communication@lourdes-france.com

SANCTUARY

1 avenue Mgr Théas / 65108 Lourdes cedex-FRANCE

www.lourdes-france.orgTel. +33 (0)5 62 42 78 78 SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

ISBN 978-2-36109-101-9

6€

SANCTUARY

SANCTUARY

SANCTUARY

SANCTUARY

The Magnificat of Hope

" the almighty hasdone great things

for me! "

SANCTUARY OUR LADY OF LOURDES

1 avenue Mgr Théas / 65108 Lourdes cedex-FRANCEwww.lourdes-france.orgTel. +33 (0)5 62 42 78 78

1 avenue Mgr Théas / 65108 Lourdes cedex-FRANCE

www.lourdes-france.orgTel. +33 (0)5 62 42 78 78 SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

A working group has devised a return to the original sense of contemplation and quiet prayer through a new visit-ing experience. This sensitive and pastoral journey affirms the Grotto as the radiant heart of the Sanctuary.

The stages1 Cross the wooded area.

Enter the Grotto where the spring gushes forth and touch the rock. 2 Remain in silent prayer

before the newly refur-bished Grotto.3 Perform the gesture

of the water at the new fountains.4 Go and light a candle

at the Chapel of Light.

“Our mission is to ensure that all those who come to Sanctuary are touched, before the Grotto, by the unconditional love of Jesus. Our preaching, our projects, our initiatives, and our work should lead to that”.

Mgr Nicolas Brouwet, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes

THE PILGRIM’S PATH

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THE JOURNEY OF SAINT BERNADETTE’S RELICSFor two months from 1st March to 7th May the reliquary of Saint Bernadette which is usually situated in the side chapel of the Crypt in the Sanctuary for the veneration of pilgrims (our pho-to), is travelling throughout Italy. The reliquary will visit eighteen dioceses, from the north to the south: Como, Cuneo, Fidenza, Livorno, Vittorio, Veneto, Trieste, Ancona-Osimo, Sora-Cassino, Aquino-Pontecorvo, Isernia, Pozzilli, Corato, Cosenza, Noto, Acireale, Salerno, Sant’Anastasia and Castellammare.

Bernadette said…“I am happier with my crucifix on my bed of suffering than a queen on her throne”.

(Logia of Bernadette,Volume III, N 803)

HCPT

The HCPT Easter Pilgrimage from 15th to 22nd April is a truly joyous affair with over 1,000 disabled children fil-ling the streets with singing, laughter and colour. They are here to enjoy a life changing week focused on them. The greatest joy for the organisers is seeing the positive impact the stay has on so many of them, as they are touched by Our Lady and the story of St Bernadette.

Lourdes, the gate to heavenEvery year the Hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes of León (Spain) organizes a pilgri-mage to Lourdes which will take place this year from 29th April to 3rd May. These few days revitalise the faith of all the participants. María Euge-nia Lasso, Vice President, tes-tifies to this:Lourdes at last! Suddenly questions arise: what will the Grotto be like? Will we feel something special, is it true

that one day heaven touched this rock and that Mary was really there? What strikes us first is the silence with only the sound of the Gave in the back-ground. We are overwhelmed by this calmness. In front of us, the Grotto with the statue of the Virgin Mary which we have so often seen in pictures. We feel like children, filled with sweet warmth, the soul bare and the eyes filling with tears. Mary holds us in her maternal

arms; she shows us the lo-ving face of her Son. Lourdes brings us peace, an answer to all our questions, and gives us hope again. Lourdes is the gate to heaven.

On 11th February, day of the universal Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and celebration of the World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis expressed his “closeness” to all the pilgrims, and in particular “to our suffering brothers and sisters and their families”. He appointed Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, to represent him in Lourdes and participate in the International Colloquium on the theme of the “Magnificat, Canticle of Hope”. The Cardinal visited the two accommodation centres for sick pilgrims, the Accueil Marie Saint-Frai and the Accueil Notre-Dame celebrating this year its 20th anniversary. It opened its doors at the beginning of the 1997 pilgrimage season and was blessed on 20th September of the same year. Cardinal Parolin stressed in his homily on 11th February in the Basilica of Saint Pius X that “to celebrate this Day in the Marian city of Lourdes is also to thank the Lord for all the people, Christians, people of other faiths and non-believers who come to this blessed place to find relief and hope.”

PRAYER INTENTIONSOF POPE FRANCIS

Young PeopleThat young people may respond generously to their vocations and seriously consider offering themsel-ves to God in the priesthood or consecrated life.

1st APRILFR ToulouseFR Créteil2 APRILFR ABIIF Hospitalité de Paris3 APRILFR ParisFR NîmesFR MendeFR Evry-Corbeil-EssonnesFR VersaillesFR PontoiseFR Cahors7 APRILDE Paderborn8 APRILFR Fraternité Hosp. ND des Tables12 APRILIT Lega Sacerdotale13 APRILDE Bayerisches Pilgerbüro

14 APRILIT BrevivetUS North American Volunteers15 APRILUK HCPT17 APRILFR AvignonFR Châlons-en-ChampagneBE BruggeFR NantesFR LilleFR LuçonES SantanderFR NeversFR LavalFR BourgesFR ToursFR Saint-BrieucFR Voir ensemble (90th anniversary)FR AngersFR Clermont-Ferrand

FR VannesFR Laval18 APRILFR Aix et ArlesFR LimogesIT OFTAL MilanoFR MetzIT UNITALSI Triveneta21 APRILFR AngoulêmeIT OFTAL VigevanoIT Brevivet22 APRILFR AnnecyIT La Nostra Famiglia23 APRILFR MontfortainsIT UNITALSI Romana Laziale/ Emiliano Romagnola24 APRILIT OFTAL Casale Monferrato

FR Saint-ClaudeNL VNBFR Le Puy-en-VelayIT Brevivet26 APRILIT Brevivet27 APRILIT UNITALSI Campana Napoli28 APRIL IT OFTAL TorinoIT BrevivetIT Suisse Alémanique29 APRILES LeonDE FreiburgNL VNBFR PerpignanFR RennesES Oviedo30 APRILIT La Piccola Famiglia

THEY ARE IN LOURDES APRIL 2017

Bernadette died on 16th

April 1879. Since 3rd August 1925, her incorrupt body rests in a glass casket in the Espace Bernadette Soubirous in Nevers.

Publication Director: Thierry Lucereau • Managing Editors: Mathias Terrier and Father André Cabes • Contributors to this edition: Martine Korpal, Joël Luzenko, Laurent Jarneau and the Chaplains of Lourdes • Photo Service: Marie Cailleaux with Pierre Vincent • Graphics and layout: Caroline Tillié, Freddy Mengelle • Distribution: Christian Sassus • Translation: Nicole & Barry Griffin • With the participation of: Benjamin Foussier, David Torchala • Print run: Graphic System - 64600 Anglet • Lourdes News – 1 av. Mgr Théas 65108 Lourdes cedex • For all correspondance: Service communication Tel. + (33) (0)5 62 42 78 01 – Email: communication@lourdes-france.com • ISSN: 2273-4783 • Registration of copyright: at publication date •

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