Why light a candle in Lourdes?

In Lourdes, lighting a candle is a simple yet deeply spiritual act. Each flame placed near the Grotto extends a prayer entrusted to Our Lady of Lourdes. Since the apparitions to Saint Bernadette in 1858, the candles of Lourdes have become symbols of faith, hope and trust. They accompany pilgrims in their requests, their thanks, their trials and their prayers for their loved ones.

Why do people light a candle in Lourdes?

Lighting a candle in Lourdes allows one to entrust a prayer to the Virgin Mary. The flame becomes a visible sign of an intention that continues to burn, even after the pilgrim has left the Sanctuary.

The faithful light a candle to ask for a favour, to thank Our Lady of Lourdes, to pray for a sick loved one, to support someone who is suffering, or to commend a departed soul. This gesture may also be made during a time of doubt, bereavement, illness or when facing an important decision.

In Lourdes, therefore, the votive candle is not merely a religious candle. It represents an act of faith. It expresses a silent prayer, an act of trust and a sense of being in the presence of Mary.

The history of the candles of Lourdes with Saint Bernadette

The tradition of the candles of Lourdes has its origins in the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.

On 19 February 1858, Bernadette went to the Grotto with a blessed candle. Very soon, light accompanied her encounters with the Lady of Massabielle.

A particularly significant event took place on 7 April 1858, Easter Wednesday. Whilst Bernadette was in ecstasy before the Grotto, the flame of her candle touched her fingers for a long time without burning them. Witnesses observed the scene and noted that she showed no signs of injury.

Since that incident, pilgrims have adopted this custom. They come to Lourdes with a candle, or have one placed there, to continue their prayer before Our Lady. Today, the Chapels of Light welcome candles from the faithful all over the world.

What is the significance of a Lourdes candle?

The flame of a Lourdes candle carries a powerful spiritual significance. It reminds us of God’s presence, the light of Christ and the believer’s trust in the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

A prayer that continues to burn

The candle symbolises a prayer that endures over time. When the devotee leaves, the flame remains lit. It continues to carry their intention before God.

A gesture of trust in Our Lady of Lourdes

Lighting a candle means entrusting one’s joys, sorrows and requests to Our Lady of Lourdes. It is a recognition that one does not bear one’s trials alone.

A light in times of trial

In difficult times, the flame serves as a reminder that hope endures. It becomes a sign of peace for those who are ill, isolated, anxious or suffering.

A sign of hope for the sick and their families

Lourdes is a place deeply linked to prayer for the sick. Many candles are lit to ask for strength, courage, healing or comfort for someone who is suffering.

Lighting a candle in Lourdes when you cannot visit

Not everyone can travel to Lourdes. However, the elderly, the sick, families living far away, the faithful living abroad, or those wishing to entrust an urgent prayer intention can still take part in this tradition.

Thanks to the Palais du Rosaire, it is possible to have a candle placed, accompanied by a prayer intention, directly at Lourdes.

This service allows you to entrust your prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes even from a distance. The candles placed at the Grotto are available in several sizes depending on the devotee’s intention and preference: 3 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 20 kg, 24 kg or 35 kg.

Have your candle and prayer intention placed at Lourdes.

Have a candle placed at the Grotto of Lourdes

What prayer intention should you entrust with a Lourdes candle?

A prayer intention can be very personal. There is no set formula. The most important thing is to entrust to Our Lady of Lourdes whatever is in your heart.

For healing

Many worshippers light a candle to ask for physical, moral or spiritual healing.

To give thanks to Our Lady of Lourdes

A candle may be lit as a sign of gratitude for a grace received, protection, an improvement in one’s circumstances or a prayer answered.

For a family

It is common to entrust a family to Our Lady of Lourdes: for peace, unity, protection, reconciliation or support through difficult times.

For the deceased

The light of the candle can honour the memory of a loved one and express a prayer for the repose of their soul.

For a birth, a baptism or a First Communion

The major milestones of the Christian life can be entrusted to Mary: birth, baptism, First Communion, profession of faith or confirmation.

For a difficult time

Illness, loneliness, anxiety, professional or family trials: the candle then becomes a sign of spiritual support.

Which Lourdes candles should you choose to suit your needs?

Lourdes candles come in various forms. The choice depends on the intended use: personal prayer, a procession, a sacrament, a Christian feast day or a memento of Lourdes.

The ‘Apparition of Lourdes’ candle with a bottle of Lourdes water

The Lourdes Apparition candle with a bottle of Lourdes water combines two powerful symbols of the Sanctuary: the light of the candle and the water of Lourdes. It is ideal as a spiritual memento or religious gift.

Lourdes procession candles

The Lourdes processional candles are used during Marian processions, pilgrimages, parish celebrations and religious gatherings.

The Lourdes processional torches are used to accompany communal prayer, particularly during torchlight processions.

Our Lady of Lourdes devotional candles

For personal prayer, a prayer corner or a memento of a pilgrimage, you can choose a 35 cm Lourdes candle, a Lourdes votive candle in a display box or a white Our Lady of Lourdes votive candle.

Candles for the sacraments: baptism, communion, confirmation

The candle plays an important role in the sacraments. The gilded Holy Spirit Cross baptismal candle symbolises the light of Christ received at baptism.

Candles for Easter and major Christian festivals

The Paschal candle is a major symbol of the Resurrection. The Alpha Omega-patterned candle is suitable for Easter, Christian celebrations and family prayer.

Electric candles and LED candles from Lourdes

LED candles are useful when a real flame cannot be used. They are suitable for bedrooms, care homes, prayer corners, processions or places requiring greater safety.

You can choose a Lourdes LED processional candle or a 25 cm Lourdes LED table candle.

Discover our selection of Lourdes candles.

View all Lourdes candles

Lourdes candles during processions

Torchlight processions are among the most memorable moments of a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Every evening, pilgrims walk together carrying a light, in a communal prayer addressed to Our Lady.

The flame of the candle then becomes a sign of unity. It brings together the faithful from all countries, all languages and all generations. Multilingual processional candles enable international groups to participate fully in the Marian processions.

For parishes, pilgrimage groups or families, processional candles and torches are essential items for experiencing this powerful moment of collective prayer.

Discover our processional candles and torches.

Discover the Lourdes processional torches

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes whilst lighting a candle

Our Lady of Lourdes,

As I light this candle, I come to lay before you my joys, my sorrows, my hopes and my worries.

Just as this flame rises towards the heavens, may my prayer rise to your motherly heart and be presented to your Son, Jesus Christ.

I entrust to you my family, my loved ones and all those who need your help. Watch over the sick, the lonely, the elderly and all those who are going through trials.

Grant us strength when doubt overwhelms us, courage when difficulties arise and peace when our hearts are troubled.

Our Lady of Lourdes, you who appeared to Saint Bernadette to remind the world of God’s love, accompany us on our journey of faith. Teach us to trust in Divine Providence and to keep hope alive even in the most difficult moments.

May this light be a sign of my trust, my surrender and my desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ.

Today I entrust this particular intention to you:
(take a few moments of silence to present your prayer intention)

Receive it with kindness and intercede for me with your Son.

Saint Bernadette, humble messenger of Lourdes, pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Amen.

FAQ on candles at Lourdes