Torchlight Processions
The Virgin Mary told Bernadette to tell the
Parish Priest to have people come
here in procession ..
Well, the people have been coming here for
over a century with their candles...
The evening torch light processions are amazing! The minute you light your
torch /candle you can feel
a spark of that strong light !
You are there with hundreds if not thouands of people from all over the world raising your torch light together with theirs, while singing Ave Maria and hearing it in soo many different languages!
You look up ahead and see Lourdes Castle all lit up under the night sky
...then you gaze to the right and see the white cross glowing on the top of
the pic du jer!
As you continue to walk along the esplanade,
you can see the Basilica up ahead shimmering with candles
as people walk up along the sides to the top!
That's one of my favorite places to go!
As you look down you see a radiant sea of
glowing candles and spectacular scenery all around!
There is nothing like this anywhere in the world!
Your inner light rises as you raise your voice and torch light in song with the others!..
The Torchlight Marian Procession takes place daily at 8.45pm. It begins outside the Grotto and follows the same route as the Blessed Sacrament Procession.
In extreme weather an indoor
ceremony may be held in the Underground Basilica instead.
The procession is led by pilgrims bearing a replica of the
Cabuchet Statue of the Virgin Mary.
As before, groups usually proceed
together under their group banner. Most participants
carry a candle with a paper shade which diffuses
the light and makes the candle less
likely to blow out.The focus of this processio
n is the rosary.
All five decades are recited, usually
in a variety of languages.
The Lourdes Hymn is also sung, with verses
in different languages.
Intercessions may be invoked followed by
the Laudate Mariam.
There is a final blessing in Latin, and then
an invitation to exchange
the Sign of peace with fellow pilgrims.
