The feast of the Assumption is one of the most important religious celebrations for Catholics around the world, and it takes on a special significance in Lourdes, a Marian pilgrimage site par excellence. Every year on 15 August, thousands of pilgrims converge on this small town in the French Pyrenees to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, who, according to Catholic tradition, was taken up to heaven body and soul after the end of her earthly life. Lourdes, the site of the Marian apparitions in 1858, becomes the spiritual centre of this festival, where the faith, devotion and communion of believers are intensely manifest.
The importance of the Assumption for the Catholic Church
The Assumption is a dogma proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950, affirming that the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, was taken to heaven in body and soul at the end of her earthly life. This belief highlights the exceptional dignity of Mary, chosen by God to be the Mother of the Saviour, and her special role in the plan of salvation. The Assumption symbolises the victory of life over death, of heaven over earth, and of the spiritual over the material.
As the perfect model of faith and obedience to God's will, Mary is honoured on this feast as the Queen of Heaven, crowned for her unique role in the history of redemption. For the faithful, this feast is an opportunity to meditate on Christian hope, the elevation of the soul to God, and the salvation promised to all those who, like Mary, faithfully respond to the divine call.
Lourdes, Marian city and pilgrimage centre
Since the Marian apparitions in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous, Lourdes has become one of the world's most visited Marian shrines. The Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette 18 times in the grotto of Massabielle, asking her to build a chapel and pray the rosary. This place, marked by miracles and healings, quickly became a focal point for the faithful in search of comfort, healing and spiritual renewal.
The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated every year in Lourdes, is one of the high points of the liturgical calendar in the town. Pilgrims come from the four corners of the globe to take part in processions, prayers and liturgical celebrations, often carrying their own personal or family intentions. Lourdes, already imbued with an atmosphere of deep devotion throughout the year, becomes even more vibrant and fervent around 15 August.
The preparations and the arrival of the pilgrims
The preparations for the feast of the Assumption begin well before 15 August. The shrine at Lourdes is preparing to welcome crowds of pilgrims, organising extra Masses, processions, times of prayer and moments of meditation. Volunteers, of whom there are many at Lourdes, play a crucial role in organising the event, helping to guide pilgrims, particularly the sick and disabled who are accommodated in dedicated hospices.
Pilgrims sometimes arrive days before the festival itself, taking part in spiritual retreats, catechetical sessions, or simply meditating in front of the Grotto of Massabielle. The shrine's long aisles, chapels and pools (where the faithful bathe in the miraculous waters of the spring discovered by Bernadette) are places of constant prayer.
Pilgrims often come in groups, accompanied by priests or religious, and the atmosphere is one of deep brotherhood. Whether they are families, parish communities or sick people seeking healing, they all share the same faith and the same hope in the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The internationality of Lourdes is also evident in the multitude of languages spoken and the diversity of faces that can be seen.
The torchlight procession and liturgical celebrations
One of the most emblematic moments of the Assumption feast in Lourdes is the torchlight procession, which takes place every evening. Thousands of pilgrims gather with lighted candles, creating a sea of light that travels around the sanctuary in a silent, contemplative atmosphere. Marian hymns, particularly the "Ave Maria", echo through the air, creating a unique atmosphere of collective prayer. This procession symbolises the light of faith that illuminates the path of believers, guided by the Virgin Mary towards her Son, Jesus Christ.
On 15 August, the very day of the Assumption, is marked by a solemn high mass, usually celebrated outdoors to accommodate the huge crowds of faithful. The mass is presided over by a bishop or cardinal and is often broadcast in several languages. The hymns, readings and prayers of the Mass focus on the glorification of the Virgin Mary and her role in the plan of salvation for humanity.
The role of the sick is particularly important at Assumption celebrations. At Lourdes, where spiritual and physical healing is a central element of the pilgrimage, the sick are honoured and receive special blessings. Many prayers are said for them, and some take part in the torchlight procession or in the blessing of the sick.
Lourdes, a place of faith and hope
Lourdes is a place of deep faith, but also of hope. The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, celebrated on 15 August, reminds all the faithful of the promise of heaven, of eternal life with God. It is a time to renew our faith, to pray for others, and to allow ourselves to be touched by the example of Mary, who, by her "yes" to God, was glorified in heaven.
For many pilgrims, coming to Lourdes for the feast of the Assumption is much more than a simple pilgrimage. It is a moment of grace, an opportunity to reconnect with the spiritual dimension of life, to open one's heart to divine mercy, and to experience the community of believers in a tangible way. Lourdes, with its serenity, history and miracles, is a place where faith takes on flesh and Mary's closeness is intensely felt.
Conclusion
The feast of the Assumption in Lourdes is a major religious event that transcends borders and unites believers in a celebration of faith and hope. Lourdes, a Marian town par excellence, becomes a living shrine of prayer and devotion, where the figure of the Virgin Mary is particularly honoured. Every year, this celebration attracts thousands of pilgrims, who come to draw strength, healing and spiritual comfort. The Assumption, as a Marian feast, reminds us of God's infinite love for humanity and the example of perfect faith that Mary embodied, a model to follow for all Christians in search of salvation.
