Set of 5 Lourdes genuine Procession Candle

The candles of the Lourdes procession

Every evening at nine, thousands of pilgrims walk down the esplanade of the Sanctuary with a candle in hand, praying the rosary. This is the Marian torchlight procession, one of the most striking moments of any stay in Lourdes.

These are exactly those candles: white, tipped in blue, 40 cm tall, slim enough to sit in a torch holder. We are not selling a souvenir imitation but the candle in use at the Sanctuary.

Where the Lourdes candle tradition comes from

On 19 February 1858, at the fourth apparition, Bernadette Soubirous came to the Grotto of Massabielle carrying a blessed candle. She held it burning in her hands until it was wholly consumed, and returned to do so every morning.

Everything follows from that. The candle left at the Grotto or carried in procession continues her gesture: the light goes on burning after the one praying has left.

To pray at home as at Lourdes

Many of our customers order these candles because they can no longer travel — age, illness, distance. Lighting the same candle at home, at the hour of the procession, is a way of joining it from afar.

Others light them on a particular date: the anniversary of a death, a Marian feast, the eleventh of February. Five candles cover several occasions across a year, or can be shared with those who pray with you.

Torch holders, essential in procession

At Lourdes the candle is carried in a card torch holder that shields the flame from the wind and the hand from the wax. If you are organising a procession in a parish or on a pilgrimage, take the set of 5 torch holders for procession candles: they are the same as those used at the Sanctuary, printed with the Hail Mary in several languages and an image of Our Lady of Lourdes.

If you cannot come to Lourdes

We also offer to have a candle lit at the Grotto on your behalf, carrying your intention: we take it there and send you the photograph and the video.

Our full range sits in the Lourdes candle and religious candle categories. For a nine-day prayer, see our novena candles.

Shipped from our shops in Lourdes.