(Lourdes, France) 167 years ago, on February 11, 1858, fourteen-year-old Bernadette Soubirous was gathering wood to burn near the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France. It was then that she experienced extraordinary vision of a beautiful lady dressed in white. This poor, uneducated teenager was blessed on that day. She was later blessed with eighteen more apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary that would transform a humble cave in France into a beacon of hope for millions of pilgrims worldwide.
As he enters his second month of a sabbatical in Italy, Father Matthew Kuhn took a quick trip over to visit this sacred space and shares his view of the Basilica, the Grotto and more. Enjoy these quick videos during his visit to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Massabielle Grotto.
Here are a few photos Father Matthew shared as well; including the Torchlight Rosary with pilgrims from all over the world at the Grotto. In addition to the rosary the group sang the Ave Maria of Lourdes to carry the light of Christ to renew our faith. The other photos are of the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame De Lourdes, a view of the city of Lourdes and a map at the Sanctuary.
