A call from Lourdes

In the year of 1858, when our Blessed Mother visited Lourdes in France, she came to bring her Son to Bernadette, who had a burning desire to receive her First Holy Communion.

During those visits, Mary asks Bernadette to pray for sinners and do penance, build a church in “that place” and tell the world to come in procession, drink at the spring and wash yourself here, as a journey to find healing of body, mind, and spirit.

Not only the world has come to Lourdes, by large numbers, as the Blessed Mother requested – but also Lourdes has gone to other parts of the world, fulfilling Her desire to bring Christ to the lives of people of all nationalities.

Parishes named after Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes, all over the world, are a testament of the success of Mary’s mission!

This is no coincidence! It’s providence! It’s a sacred invitation from the Grotto of Massabielle to share Mary’s mission of healing and hope. An invitation, by the way, extended to all churches and everyone!

Those who are connected to Our Lady of Lourdes share the same source of inspiration, and while the grotto and the water in France may be material components of our spiritual life, they are only symbols of the Grace from God, the Universal source of our Faith that Our Lady asks us to spread to the whole world.

The Sanctuary of Lourdes now invite you to explore meaningful, grace-filled ways we can unite resources and inspiration to carry on Mary’s requests. Each of these opportunities offers your parishioners and community a direct and powerful link to the grace flowing from Lourdes. We stand as a resource for you to guide and support your efforts.

Create a Hospitalité in your diocese

A Hospitalité is an official volunteer group within your diocese that connects your parish or diocese directly to the Hospitalité Notre-Dame de Lourdes in France.

Members are trained to organize Lourdes-related events in the parish to include:
(click on the boxes below)

: Creation of a local Family of Our Lady of Lourdes

: Celebration a monthly Healing Mass and Candlelight Procession

: Offer the Gesture of the Water

: Promote education about and devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes

: Install a live feed from the Grotto of Lourdes

: Assist in coordinating pilgrimages to Lourdes

To start:

Pastor identifies parishioners to lead a Hospitalité
Parish manifests interest to form a Hospitalité – filling up a form in the website
Sanctuary writes a letter, asking permission of the bishop – explaining the Mission of a Hospitalité and how it will collaborate to strengthen Faith through the message of Our Lady and will encourage bringing more people to the pews
Upon approval from bishop, Sanctuary issues certificate with a Welcome package encouraging them to execute some of the activities described in this document

This ministry creates lasting leadership, service, and spiritual formation rooted in Mary’s mission.

Let the healing flow begin with you

In a world longing for peace, healing, and meaning, the life of St. Bernadette and the message from Our Lady are inspirations to those seeking the true grace of Christ.

You bear the name of Our Lady of Lourdes or St. Bernadette by providence. That name is an invitation—a sacred echo from the Grotto of Massabielle—to share in Mary’s mission of healing and hope.

As Bernadette once stood with childlike faith before the Blessed Virgin, so now your community is called to stand with her—welcoming pilgrims, washing in prayer, and walking the path of compassion.

Through Healing Masses, shared gestures of water, pilgrimages, and spiritual connection to the Sanctuary, your parish can become a living Lourdes—a sanctuary of mercy where hearts are restored, faith is rekindled, and the sick and weary find solace in Christ through Mary.

She is waiting for you.
Lourdes is ready to walk with you. The path is prepared.
Now is the time to begin.