Caring for the sick in Lourdes: a tradition of hope, solidarity and faith

Every year, many people who are ill, elderly or living with a disability travel to Lourdes to undertake a pilgrimage marked by faith, hope and brotherhood. Ever since the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette in 1858, caring for the sick has played a vital role at the Sanctuary of Lourdes.

Thanks to the hospitaliers, healthcare professionals and numerous volunteers, every pilgrim can take part in the celebrations and explore the iconic sites of Lourdes in conditions tailored to their needs.

Why does Lourdes welcome the sick?

Lourdes is intimately linked to the message conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Shortly after the apparitions, pilgrims began to come to the Grotto of Massabielle to pray, drink the spring water and entrust their sufferings to her.

Among them were many people who were ill, disabled or weakened by life’s trials. Lourdes gradually became a place where everyone could be welcomed without being defined solely by their illness or disability.

Some pilgrims come in the hope of physical healing. Others seek, above all, inner healing, peace of mind, the strength to cope better with their illness, or the comfort of no longer feeling alone.

In Lourdes, the sick person takes centre stage. They are not excluded from the celebrations or the life of the pilgrimage. On the contrary, everything is organised so that they can participate fully in the various spiritual and communal activities.

How are the sick welcomed in Lourdes?

The care of the sick in Lourdes is based on a precise system, developed over generations. Volunteers, ‘hospitaliers’ and medical teams work together to ensure that frail pilgrims can enjoy their stay in the best possible conditions.

The ‘Hospitalités’ serving pilgrims

The ‘Hospitalités’ are voluntary organisations that support diocesan pilgrimages in particular. Their members, known as ‘hospitaliers’ and ‘hospitalières’, devote part of their time to welcoming and supporting people who are unwell.

Their duties may include:

• welcoming pilgrims on their arrival in Lourdes;
• accompanying them at railway stations, on coaches or to their accommodation;
• assisting with mobility in wheelchairs or mobility scooters;
• accompanying them during Masses and processions;
• providing assistance with meals and daily living activities;
• offering attentive support and a sympathetic ear.

For many people who are unwell, the bond formed with the volunteers is one of the most lasting memories of the pilgrimage. Beyond practical help, the volunteers provide a warm and reassuring presence.

Specially adapted accommodation

Lourdes has facilities designed to accommodate pilgrims who require daily assistance or medical supervision. Among the best known are the Accueil Notre-Dame and the Accueil Marie Saint-Frai.

These establishments offer rooms and facilities adapted for people with reduced mobility. They also enable medical teams and volunteers to provide continuous support throughout the pilgrimage.

Groups can thus stay close to the Sanctuary whilst benefiting from a safe environment tailored to each pilgrim’s needs.

Accessible facilities

The Sanctuary of Lourdes is extensively adapted to facilitate movement for people who are ill or have disabilities. The main places of prayer and worship are wheelchair accessible.

Pilgrims can, in particular, make use of:

• access ramps and adapted paths;
• lifts providing access to the various basilicas;
• reserved seating during celebrations;
• accessible toilets;
• specially adapted transport.

This accessibility enables those who are unwell to reach the Grotto of Massabielle, the basilicas, the fountains and the main sites of the Sanctuary.

Medical support during pilgrimages

Pilgrimages organised for people with health conditions are usually accompanied by doctors, nurses, care assistants and other healthcare professionals.

These teams ensure continuity of care, the dispensing of medication and the monitoring of pilgrims’ health. They also intervene when someone requires special assistance during a service or whilst travelling.

This medical support helps to reconcile the spiritual nature of the pilgrimage with the health needs of each individual.

How do people who are unwell take part in the celebrations?

In Lourdes, people who are unwell are not merely accommodated in suitable facilities. They participate fully in the celebrations and the major events in the life of the Sanctuary.

The International Mass

The International Mass brings together pilgrims from many countries. It is usually celebrated in the underground Basilica of Saint Pius X, which is large enough to accommodate a very large number of worshippers, including those in wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

This celebration illustrates the universal nature of Lourdes. Prayers and hymns are offered in several languages, enabling everyone to feel fully integrated into the community.

The Eucharistic Procession

The Eucharistic Procession is an important moment for sick pilgrims. It usually concludes with a blessing of the Blessed Sacrament, also known as the blessing of the sick.

During this celebration, those who are frail are surrounded by their carers, their families and the hospitaliers. This time of prayer is often experienced as a moment of comfort and hope.

The Marian torchlight procession

Every evening during the pilgrimage season, the faithful gather to take part in the Marian torchlight procession. Pilgrims recite the Rosary and sing the Hail Mary in various languages.

Those who are ill can take part in the procession with the help of the hospitaliers. Wheelchairs and adapted vehicles are placed at the heart of the gathering, highlighting the vital place accorded to the most vulnerable.

Times of prayer at the Grotto

The Grotto of Massabielle remains the spiritual heart of the pilgrimage. Those who are unwell can attend Mass there, recite the Rosary, offer a prayer intention or simply spend a few moments in silence.

For many, this visit to the Grotto is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of their stay. It offers an opportunity to entrust one’s sufferings, worries and hopes to the Virgin Mary.

What activities can sick pilgrims take part in at Lourdes?

The pilgrimage to Lourdes is punctuated by several symbolic acts. These are never a substitute for medical treatment, but they allow pilgrims to express their faith and trust.

Drinking the water of Lourdes

During the apparitions, the Virgin Mary asked Bernadette to drink from the spring and wash herself there. Today, pilgrims can drink the water of Lourdes from the fountains located near the Grotto.

This water is not considered to be medicinal. It represents a spiritual symbol recalling baptism, purification and the renewal of faith.

Performing the water ritual

The water ritual allows pilgrims to wash their faces and hands with water from the spring, whilst being accompanied in a time of prayer.

This ritual is accessible to those who are ill or disabled thanks to the presence of volunteers. It is experienced as a moment of contemplation, trust and surrender.

Submit a prayer intention

Many pilgrims come to Lourdes with a specific intention. This may concern their own health, a sick loved one, a family in difficulty or a deceased person.

Intentions can be submitted in the areas provided for this purpose or entrusted to a religious community. They are then included in the prayers at the Sanctuary.

Lighting a candle

Lighting a religious candle is another traditional part of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. The light symbolises prayer that continues, even after the pilgrim has left.

The candle may be lit to ask for a favour, to give thanks for help received, or to support someone suffering from illness.

Who can come to Lourdes as part of the care programme for the sick?

The care programme offered in Lourdes is not limited to people suffering from a serious illness. There are many circumstances that may warrant specialised support during a pilgrimage.

In particular, the following may be welcomed:

• people with a chronic illness;
• people with a physical or mental disability;
• elderly people with mobility difficulties;
• people recovering from an operation or treatment;
• people suffering from a rare condition;
• people requiring daily medical care;
• people who are emotionally vulnerable following a difficult experience.

Families and carers may also take part in the pilgrimage. In Lourdes, they often find a place where they can share their experiences, regain their strength and feel supported.

The invaluable role of volunteer hospitaliers

Hospitaliers play an indispensable role in welcoming those who are unwell. Even before the groups arrive, they help prepare the accommodation, equipment and transport arrangements.

During the stay, they accompany the pilgrims throughout the day. They may push wheelchairs, help during meals, accompany someone to the Grotto or simply keep them company.

Their commitment is not limited to practical assistance. It is also based on listening, patience and respect for each individual.

A pilgrimage to Lourdes often forges very strong bonds between those who are unwell and their carers. The carers get to know people beyond their illness, whilst the pilgrims benefit from a sense of fellowship that can sometimes break a deep feeling of isolation.

How do you prepare for a pilgrimage to Lourdes when you are unwell?

Preparing for a pilgrimage to Lourdes requires a bit of organisation, particularly when someone needs medical care or assistance with getting around. Fortunately, there are many organisations that support pilgrims so that everyone can enjoy their stay in the best possible conditions.

Contact a ‘Hospitalité’ or a diocesan pilgrimage group

Most dioceses organise an annual pilgrimage to Lourdes with a ‘Hospitalité’. These organisations take charge of organising the trip, transport and accommodation, as well as providing support for those who are unwell.

Before departure, a medical file is usually compiled to enable healthcare teams to provide appropriate care throughout the pilgrimage.

Ensure you have the necessary documents and medication

It is advisable to bring:

• sufficient quantities of your medication;
• your prescriptions;
• your Vitale card and details of your private health insurance;
• your doctor’s contact details if necessary;
• any medical equipment essential for daily use.

The medical teams on site ensure that your stay runs smoothly, but it remains essential to prepare for your trip with your GP.

Experience your pilgrimage at your own pace

In Lourdes, no one is obliged to take part in all the celebrations. Every pilgrim is free to experience their stay according to their physical abilities.

Some favour the processions, whilst others prefer moments of silence at the Grotto or the Eucharistic celebrations. The most important thing is to experience this encounter with Christ and the Virgin Mary to the full, in peace and trust.

Why do so many people return to Lourdes?

Many pilgrims testify that they leave Lourdes transformed, not necessarily through a physical healing, but through a renewed sense of inner peace.

The sense of community, the warm welcome, the willingness of the volunteers and the simplicity of the encounters often help people to regain confidence despite the ordeal of illness.

Families also appreciate seeing their loved ones welcomed with dignity, without judgement or being treated differently. For a few days, illness ceases to be the main concern, giving way to fellowship, prayer and hope.

The Palais du Rosaire supports pilgrims to Lourdes

For over 100 years, the Palais du Rosaire has been supporting pilgrims visiting Lourdes by offering a wide selection of religious items designed to inspire prayer and serve as a memento of their pilgrimage.

You will find, in particular:

• rosaries;
• religious medals and crosses;
• devotional candles;
• bottles of Lourdes water;
• prayer books;
• a wide range of religious souvenirs from Lourdes.

These items allow you to carry the grace of your pilgrimage with you once you return home, or to offer a meaningful gift to a loved one who is unwell.

Prayer for the sick

Lord Jesus,

You who have always welcomed those who suffer with love, look kindly upon all those who are going through the ordeal of illness.

Give them the strength to keep hope alive, peace in their hearts and trust in your love.

Bless their families, their carers, the hospital staff and all those who offer them support and comfort.

Through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, grant them your comfort and accompany them each day on their journey.

Amen.

Frequently asked questions about care for the sick in Lourdes