After two months of historic closure, the Lourdes sanctuary partially reopens this Saturday May 16 at 2 p.m. No celebration of worship or access to the "swimming pools", wearing of a compulsory mask, marking on the ground: to ensure the health security of pilgrims and the sick, the conditions of access will be restricted at first. Due to the closure of the site since March 17, eight million euros in losses are expected by the end of the year. Archbishop Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, the rector of the sanctuary, therefore launched an appeal for donations in order to “save heavy”.
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The rector has been working for several weeks on reopening the premises, in collaboration with the prefecture and the health authorities: "It was important to be able to access it in complete safety" , explained to Figaro Mgr Ribadeau-Dumas. Initially, in view of the limit of 100 km of travel imposed by the government, only individual pilgrims close to the sanctuary of Lourdes will be allowed to go there. A number of measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus in this place, which is used to welcoming hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year, including people with serious illnesses and disabilities.
Access to the Cave by group of ten and remotely
The pilgrims will be greeted at the gates of the sanctuary by the hospital workers, those people usually responsible for welcoming pilgrims and the sick - who will be very few this year.
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They will then be directed to the right bank of the Gave, in front of the Cave which they will not be able to approach up close: unthinkable, given the sanitary circumstances, to allow hundreds of pilgrims to come, as usual, to touch it from the palm of his hand. Wearing a mask is compulsory in the sanctuary.
Mandatory mask and continuous fountains
They will then be accompanied in groups of ten by a member of a religious community to follow a marked route inside the sanctuary. Some will be able to gather on the right bank of the Gave, facing the Cave, with a marking on the ground allowing to respect the protection distances. Everyone should wear a mask and barrier gestures will be reminded regularly. Lourdes water, very popular with pilgrims, will be accessible but not just anyway: "we have modified the system of fountains which will operate continuously, in order to avoid having to press the button" , explains Mgr. Ribadeau-Dumas.
Receiving the sacrament of reconciliation will also be possible, but the location has been changed: “It used to take place in chapels that were too narrow and cramped. It will now take place in dedicated spaces within the great Saint Bernadette church, with a significant separation distance between the penitent and the confessor, ” specifies the rector of the sanctuary.
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No access to swimming pools or worship celebrated
"Come and drink at the fountain and wash yourself there!" " : According to the Catholic Church, these words spoken by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette, during an apparition, inspired, near the Grotto, the creation of baths (" swimming pools ") in which pilgrims, believers or not , can be submerged. These pools will not be accessible for the moment: “It is a spiritual process. We do not go alone, pilgrims are accompanied or helped by volunteers and hospitable. The proximity is such that the distances cannot be respected ” , justifies Mgr Ribadeau-Dumas.
Likewise, no public celebration of worship may be held before the date to be decided by the authorities. Finally, the sanctuary will open at first from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., but "we recommend not staying more than thirty minutes on the spot", specifies the rector.
Call for donations to "save Lourdes"
Eight million euros in losses are expected by the end of the year. Indeed, the sanctuary has no direct resources, its economy based on the donation and the usual offerings of pilgrims. However, in addition to the unprecedented closure for two months, the estimated cancellation of organized pilgrimages is 100% from April to June, 70% for July, and 30% for April and September.
The estimated cancellation of organized pilgrimages is 100% from April to June, 70% for July, and 30% for April and September.However, "over the past few years the situation had been balanced," laments Archbishop Ribadeau-Dumas, "which enabled us to look to the future with serenity" . For example, the sanctuary hoped to be able to renovate the bell tower of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, or even to develop the website, in order to make the history and life of the sanctuary better known to new pilgrims. "Today, these investments are called into question," alarmed the rector. "Our main source of hope is the generosity of pilgrims," he says. Lourdes needs them just as they need Lourdes. ”
The city of Lourdes impacted
The economy of the city of Lourdes itself depends 80% on the sanctuary and its tourism. Lourdes has indeed become an international sanctuary: pilgrims come from all over the world. "We also hope that as part of the recovery plan for the tourism sector, we will be able to benefit from the measures recommended by the government, " said the rector.
Lourdes is an ecosystem, of which the sanctuary is the center. One euro spent in the sanctuary is 12 euros spent in the city. When the sanctuary closes, the city dies.
Mgr Ribadeau-Dumas, rector of the sanctuary of Lourdes.“Lourdes is an ecosystem, of which the sanctuary is the center. One euro spent in the sanctuary is 12 euros spent in the city. When the sanctuary closes, the city dies, he says. Today, I have a great concern for working with hoteliers, restaurateurs, merchants and municipal authorities who are in a dire situation. Lourdes must be saved. "
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120,000 prayer intentions received from around the world
When the sanctuary closed on March 17, 29 chaplains - priests, deacons and religious in the service of the sanctuary - began a continuous prayer for pilgrims and the sick, a prayer all the more requested by the Catholic faithful in the context of a pandemic. .
“There are many people who ask the Virgin Mary to help them in their daily life difficulties, but also in this coronavirus disease. There are many fears but also thanksgiving. "
Mgr Ribadeau-Dumas, rector of the sanctuary of Lourdes.During the entire period of confinement, "we received nearly 120,000 prayer intentions from around the world ," said Archbishop Ribadeau-Dumas. These are 'prayers of the poor', cries of distress. There are many people who ask the Virgin Mary to help them in their difficulties of daily life, but also in this coronavirus disease. There are many fears but also thanksgiving. We have received 200 pages of prayer intentions a day, which is how important this sanctuary is to them. ”
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Likewise, the sanctuary received "many testimonies from the sick, the elderly and isolated people who told us how much this uninterrupted prayer was a support during this confinement," says the rector of the sanctuary. “Lourdes is not only reserved for 'good Catholics', said Archbishop Ribadeau-Dumas , but a place for all seekers of meaning, a place for welcoming the weak and the sick, a place of solidarity and meeting. When we think about the France after, Lourdes can be a sign of hope, a response to a society in search of meaning. I humbly say it: the world needs Lourdes. ”
