Why place a candle at Lourdes?

On 19 February 1858, during the fourth apparition of the Virgin Mary at the Grotto of Lourdes, Bernadette Soubirous arrived at the Massabielle Grotto with a blessed candle. She held it in her hands until it was completely burnt out. It is from this gesture that the custom of lighting a candle was born.

Where does the tradition of lighting a candle at Lourdes come from?

The apparition of the Virgin Mary

Since the fourth apparition of the Virgin Mary at the Grotto of Lourdes, Bernadette Soubirous, went every morning to the Grotto of Massabielle. As soon as she arrived, she lit a holy candle and held it in her left hand until the Virgin appeared.

At the very beginning, an inhabitant of Lourdes lent the blessed candle to the young Bernadette. Then it was her aunts' turn.

Bernadette Soubirous' statements

One day, Bernadette Soubirous asked her youngest aunt to lend her a candle and to accompany her to the Grotto of Lourdes: "Will you give me your candle and allow me to leave it in the Grotto? - Yes, yes, I'll give it to you, go and put it down if you like.

The young girl then went to the back of the Grotto of Lourdes. She stuck the end of the blessed candle into the ground, leaning it against the rock and leaving it lit, then returned to her aunt.

After the apparition, her aunt asked her: "But why did you ask me to give you my candle, and why did you carry it there? - The vision asked me if I wanted to leave it burning in the Grotto when I went; and as it was yours, I could not do so without your permission.

Some people then placed candles next to the Virgin Mary.

The blessed flame

The Mother of God brought the poor young Bernadette out of the darkness of the dungeon and led her to the rock. Indeed, the Virgin Mary made Bernadette see a light and showed her her face. Then, little by little, Bernadette became light.

Pilgrims are now invited to light and burn their candles on the right bank of the Gave. The chapel of lights is then conducive to meditation and prayer.

How to light a candle in Lourdes?

If you are unable to come to the Sanctuaries of Lourdes, you can still place a candle.

You can order your religious candles on the website of the Palais du Rosaire. Several models and sizes are available. Order a set of 5 real candles from the Lourdes procession and have them burned at home. You can also order the authentic Lourdes candle which is used in the chapels of lights of the Sanctuaries of Lourdes. These Lourdes candles will accompany you during your prayers from home.