In this year 2020 marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sanctuary of Lourdes will experience a special Christmas by offering Advent time remotely to all its faithful, notably via social networks and TV Lourdes.
Thanks to a sound-and-light installation, the Marian city shines as a symbol of “
hope.
"
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“
For the first time, we wanted a special Christmas program: to send this strong sign that there is something to experience in Lourdes.
A time to prepare for Christmas for those who can travel and also for those who will be able to connect directly with Lourdes.
The sanctuary is fully illuminated, a course of nurseries is set up, especially for families.
», Explained to
Figaro
a person in charge of the Sanctuary.
A path that leads “
gently
” to the Nativity is also installed at the Grotto.
Inside the Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire basilica, the visitor has the opportunity to discover the works of the Genoese artist Emilio Burri, illustrating three places linked to Bernadette Soubirous: the dungeon, the mill of Boly and the Cave.
A first for Lourdes
Likewise, for the very first time in the history of Lourdes, a laser was installed at the top of the bell tower of the Notre-Dame-Du-Rosaire basilica, in order to trace an immense ray of light in the sky, visible at 20 km around.
The objective is to transmit the joy of Christmas to all the faithful.
“
The chaplains, priests of the Sanctuary, are mobilized to carry the prayer.
», Confirms a manager.
They also receive thousands of prayer intentions every day.
Throughout Advent, the chaplains offer, live on social networks, a meditation at noon, to prepare for the Nativity.
Finally, a novena is organized from December 16 to 24, in several languages.
The Sanctuary, a beacon for Christians, normally welcomes 6 million visitors each year.
The year 2020 was a historic year in terms of drop in attendance.
Despite the second confinement, the Sanctuary of Lourdes remains lively on a daily basis.
In the darkness of the evening, from 5.45 p.m., the Angelus' prayer resonates in this unique place.
A sound and light marries the architecture of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, since December 8.
A video projection of the Nativity appears every day on the facade of the basilica, currently under restoration, until January 10.
These are excerpts from the film "
Mary of Nazareth
", produced in 2018 by the Italian director Giacomo Campiotti.