Virtual pilgrimage to Lourdes will affirm power of prayer
An international virtual pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Lourdes in France will "affirm the power of prayer" against coronavirus.
"Lourdes is about spiritual and physical healing, and we've received 15,000 prayer petitions daily throughout the pandemic lockdown from around the world -- for people about to die or fearing infection," said Fr Xavier d'Arodes de Peyriague, vice rector and head of international pastoral ministry for the Lourdes shrine.
"We quickly realised we weren't just praying for people in Lourdes, but for those in need worldwide -- and this e-pilgrimage will honour their presence in a great affirmation of the power of prayer."
The priest spoke amid preparations for the Thursday, 16 July 2020 event, marking the French site's official reopening after a four month closure.
He said the 15-hour multigenerational and multicultural e-pilgrimage would include rosary recitals, lectures, music and archival videos in 10 languages illustrating the centre's mission, as well as three consecutive international Masses for Asia and Oceania, Europe and Africa, and the Americas.
"This shrine has never closed previously -- not even during two world wars and other major traumas, and it's been extraordinary to stand alone at its normally crowded grotto," Fr d'Arodes said.
"We've had to adjust our prayers from individual healing to the challenges of a pandemic. But five times the normal numbers are now following us on digital networks, while we're broadcast on Catholic channels worldwide."
Lourdes, close to the southern Pyrenees Mountains in France, annually attracts up to 5 million visitors and has been a place of pilgrimage since 1858, when St Bernardette Soubirous, 14, experienced the first of 18 visions of the Virgin Mary while gathering firewood.
The sanctuary faces a "historic loss" of 8 million euros ($13m) from the enforced shutdown and will be appealing for funds during the virtual pilgrimage.
Introduction to the Lourdes United event
On demand video material from Lourdes at Youtube
Lourdes Grotto Web site