Lourdes : The World’s Most Famous Healing Shrine
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, situated in Lourdes, France, is a famous pilgrimage destination. Many sick pilgrims, who visit Lourdes, are said to have received healing miraculously by the waters of Lourdes. This Sanctuary surrounds the Grotto (Catholic Shrine) to Our Lady of Lourdes. This entire land is owned and run by the Catholic Church. The functions that take place here include various devotional activities, offices and also provide lodging to the sick pilgrims. The Lourdes Medical Bureau, the Lourdes Water and various other churches and basilicas are a part of the Sanctuary or the Domain. The six official languages of the Domain include English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and German.
Originally, this town was a small market place, of which many people were unaware. On February 11, 1858, a young peasant girl, named Bernadette Soubrious, saw a vision of the Virgin Mary. In her vision, Virgin Mady would be seen standing at the entrance of the Massabielle Grotto. Soubirous continuously saw this vision for seven times. In the vision, it was also revealed to her that a spring would appear, where people from every book and corner of the world would come for healing. Based on the visions of Bernadette, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes was established.
The Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes looks after the spiritual administration of the Domain. The Domain is mostly crowded during Easter and All Saints every year. The devotional activities that take place here include processions, the Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament Reconciliation.
The grounds of the Sanctuary are opened from 5 am until midnight. According to estimates, around 200 million people have visited this place since 1860. Around 70 people are believed to have received miraculous healings.
The Lourdes spring, containing what is believed to be the water that is blessed with healing powers, flows from the spot where Bernadette had discovered it. The original spring is found within the Grotto, where a glass screen protects it. The water can be accessed by pilgrims through taps situated between the bath and the grotto. The water is drunk by millions of pilgrims that believe on the reputation of the waters to possess healing powers. However several tests conducted by chemists in 1858-59, do not deem waters to have specific scientific or medical properties. Inspite of this, the major population of pilgrims is attracted by the spring. Also, there’s a high sale of small statues the contain a vial of the Lourdes Waters.
The main churches that are part of the Domain include The Crypt, Upper Basilica, Rosary Basilica, Crowned Statue and Rosary Square, Underground Basilica, Church of St. Bernadette, Chapel of Reconciliation and St. Joseph’s Chapel.
A well proved fact states that the founder of Nutella, Michele Ferrero was also a devotee of Our Lady of Lourdes. He visited the Santa almost every year. A statue of Our Lady was stationed in all of his factories and office.