Ferrero Rocher, the chocolate inspired by the Virgin of LourdesLourdes: Mary's visit, source of graceArriving at the LourdesThe 19th century and its neo-gothic art are everywhere. It is not the only picturesque thing you can see in this place. The platform receives people from all over the world: almost 3 million pilgrims a year who express their faith in a different way.
Pilgrims to Lourdes
The Irish, blond or red-haired, white or reddish complexioned, strong and happy, usually fill Lourdes at the beginning of August with its more than 5000 pilgrims. And the Celtic songs, full of longing and confidence, resound in the grotto with rustic piety.
On August 15, and in October, it is the French who are most often seen in Lourdes, as a reminder of a time when the Virgin was the Patron Saint of the country, which loved her and worshipped her publicly. The State has changed, but not the French, who continue to pray to her in a special way on August 15.
At this time the elegant collaborators of the Order of Malta arrive, and then comes the popular pilgrimage of the Assumptionists, who have many magazines, radio broadcasts and web pages to transmit the faith. In October, the Dominicans make the Rosary pilgrimage. With their black and white habits, they carry the heritage of the preachers of the contemplated truth, and fill the sanctuary with thousands of pilgrims.
It is also during this month that the Provencals arrive in Lourdes with their white horses typical of the Rhone, and their colorful and elegant costumes (les Gardians and les Arlésiennes). It is the only procession that admits horses in the sanctuary and gathers up to 7000 pilgrims. Its language shares characteristics with three languages born from Latin: French, Spanish and Italian, and also has similarities with Catalan.
Winter is not usually a good time for mass processions. But the French dioceses bring, one after the other, their sick to the cave, so that God may help them to bear their illness with courage and, if he wills, through Mary, heal them. The priests testify that the most resounding miracles are not physical (only 70 have been officially declared miraculous), but spiritual; for there are many who confess and convert.
Spring Pilgrimages
In spring, there is again an influx of pilgrims from all over the world. At this time the pilgrimage of the military takes place, with their uniforms and flags of all countries. There is no lack of the peculiar Swiss Vatican guards, with their uniforms of the XVI century, and all pray for peace, to which they dedicate all their capacities of courageous dedication. Then come the gypsies, who fill the esplanades of the sanctuary with music and the streets of Lourdes with conversation.
In the meantime, pilgrimages from Italian dioceses, with their hospitable laywomen but elegantly dressed as nuns, continue to take place. After the French, the Italians are the most frequent visitors to the sanctuary of Lourdes. In third place are the Spaniards, who have to cross the natural barrier of the Pyrenees. In total, almost 80 nationalities officially pass through the sanctuary of Lourdes. There are up to 5 official languages at the sanctuary to welcome all these people (French, Spanish, Italian, English and Dutch).
Themed pilgrimages
There are also curious pilgrimages, because they are formed around a hobby or professional theme. Bikers usually gather once a year in Lourdes, and are easily recognizable by their leather jackets, sunglasses and tattoos.
There is also a pilgrimage of French cooks, who, not without reason, often ask God for inspiration in their cooking. In addition, there are the pilgrimages of thousands of children and young scouts. They fill the meadows of the shrine with joy, praying and learning to serve. The scouts are often recognizable by their uniforms, but you know where they are, above all, because they sing - at all times of the day and night!
Finally, the pilgrims who come to Lourdes are usually very varied in their origins, culture and piety, but the Virgin Mary usually takes care of each one as she should, because they come back every year!
This is what happens in some places where Heaven has touched the earth, and thanks to them one can experience the family of God, the Church of Our Lord Jesus.
