Ben Carter
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a Catholic Marian shrine and pilgrimage site in France, is a destination for sick and disabled pilgrims due to its reputation for miraculous healings. The shrine includes several religious buildings and monuments surrounding the grotto of Massabielle, the place where Bernadette Soubirous experienced the Lourdes apparitions in 1858. Since then, millions of pilgrims have followed her example, lighting candles to prolong their prayers. This tradition has endured, and today the candles of Lourdes are a recognised symbol of devotion and faith. Pilgrims can place candles of various sizes in the grotto, and the candle burners are tended by a staff of feutiers, who ensure the candles are burnt safely and evenly. The lighting of votive candles at the grotto of Lourdes is a powerful symbol of faith and hope, representing a prayer, a hope, a gratitude, or a memory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | 19 February 1858 |
| Location | Grotto of Massabielle, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France |
| Purpose | To symbolise prayers, hopes, gratitude, memories, and the entrustment of intentions to the Virgin Mary |
| Symbolism | Faith, hope, and devotion |
| Administration | Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarbes-et-Lourdes |
| Related practices | Torchlight Marian procession at 9 pm, daily Blessed Sacrament procession at 5 pm |
| Related figures | Bernadette Soubirous, Pope Francis |
| Physical characteristics | Various sizes, votive nightlights |
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What You'll Learn
The tradition of votive candles at Lourdes
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is a Catholic Marian shrine and pilgrimage site in the town of Lourdes, France. The site is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and includes several religious buildings and monuments that surround the grotto of Massabielle, the place where the events of the Lourdes apparitions occurred in 1858.
The lighting of candles at Lourdes is a symbol of faith and hope, with each candle representing a prayer, a hope, gratitude, or a memory. Pilgrims light candles to entrust their intentions to the Virgin Mary, with the burning flame symbolising the prolongation of their prayers.
The candles are not sold but are offered in exchange for a suggested donation, with the proceeds going towards the care and maintenance of the sanctuary. Pilgrims can place candles of various sizes, and chapels of light have been built to accommodate the lighting of candles.
The torchlight Marian procession takes place daily at 9 pm and involves sick and disabled pilgrims, volunteers carrying a replica of the Cabuchet statue of the Virgin Mary, and participants carrying candles. The procession begins near the grotto and continues through the esplanade, ending in the Rosary Square.
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Bernadette Soubirous and the Virgin Mary
Bernadette Soubirous was born in 1844 in Lourdes, France, the first child of an extremely poor miller. She was a pious child, devoted to Saint Bernard, her patron saint. Bernadette was also unwell for much of her life, suffering from severe asthma and later contracting tuberculosis of the lungs and bones.
On 11 February 1858, at the Grotto of Massabielle, Soubirous saw the first of 18 visions of the Virgin Mary. She described the lady as wearing a white veil, a blue girdle, and a yellow rose on each foot—an outfit compatible with the description of any statue of the Virgin Mary in a village church. The lady told her to return to the grotto every day for a fortnight. Initially, her parents were embarrassed and tried to forbid her from going. The lady did not identify herself as the Virgin Mary until the seventeenth vision. Soubirous never explicitly claimed it was Mary, consistently using the word aquerò.
During her visions, Bernadette was instructed to drink from the spring and wash in it, and to build a chapel on the spot of the visions. The lady also told her that people should come to drink from the spring, as the water had miraculous healing powers. The spring at the grotto was initially muddy, but the next day, clear water flowed from it. The water is now a strong symbol of devotion for Lourdes pilgrims, who buy statues and rosary beads containing small vials of it.
The Church confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions in 1862. Bernadette was hounded by the public and by civic officials until she was finally protected in a convent of nuns. She later petitioned to enter the Sisters of Notre Dame of Nevers. She died on 16 April 1879 at the age of 35. Her final words were, "Blessed Mary, Mother of God, Pray for me". She was canonized in 1933.
Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is a Catholic shrine and pilgrimage site dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. It includes several religious buildings and monuments around the grotto, where pilgrims can light votive candles to prolong their prayers to the Virgin Mary.
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The Grotto of Massabielle
The place where Bernadette Soubirous is said to have seen the Lourdes apparitions is called the "Grotto of Massabielle", which is the most famous place in the sanctuary. The Lourdes water flows from a spring located inside the cave. The original spring can be seen within the grotto, lit from below and protected by a glass screen. Pilgrims drink Lourdes water due to its reputed healing power. The water is accessed from individual taps located between the grotto and the baths. The water from Lourdes was thoroughly analyzed by independent chemists in 1858 and 1859 and does not appear to have any scientific or medicinal properties, having been described as a placebo. Despite this, the water is a strong symbol of devotion for Lourdes pilgrims, and many buy statues and rosary beads containing small vials of it.
In Lourdes, candles are lit to entrust the Virgin Mary with all our intentions, the burning flame prolonging our prayers. It was on 19 February 1858, that Bernadette went to the Grotto for the first time with a candle, and it was on 7 April, Easter Wednesday, that the flame of the candle she was holding in her hand licked her fingers without burning them. Like millions of pilgrims before them, visitors can light candles in the Chapels of Light, opposite the Grotto, on the far side of the Gave.
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The symbolism of votive candles
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a Catholic Marian shrine and pilgrimage site in France, is a place of devotion for many. The grotto of Massabielle, where Bernadette Soubirous is said to have experienced the Lourdes apparitions, is the most famous place in the sanctuary. The lighting of votive candles is a significant custom for pilgrims visiting the shrine.
The votive candle is a religious symbol, and its lighting signifies that this action is done in fulfilment of a vow. The Latin word "votum", from which the word "votive" is derived, means "vow", "promise", "dedication", or "prayer". The candle's flame symbolises the "flame of faith" burning in a person's heart, representing their intentions and prayers before God. The physical candle, with its flame, expresses spiritual realities in a tangible way.
Votive candles are often lit before statues or images of saints, such as the Virgin Mary, Jesus, or other saints, and are used to pray for the dead and seek saintly intercession. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, candles are lit before icons, usually of Jesus Christ or the Theotokos, and placed in round containers with sockets or sand. In Lutheran churches, votive candles may be lit at home or in church, often during the liturgy of Good Friday. Anglican churches, particularly those in the High Church or Anglo-Catholic tradition, also use votive candles for praying for the dead and requesting saintly intercession.
The custom of lighting votive candles has its roots in early Christianity, stemming from the belief that Christ is the "Light of the World". This belief is reflected in the Liturgy for the Sacrament of Baptism, where the priest presents a candle lit from the Easter (Paschal) candle. The burning candle symbolises the presence of the individual in prayer, even when they cannot be physically present in a shrine or church.
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The Chapel of Lights
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes includes several religious buildings and monuments, including three basilicas: the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (the Upper Basilica), the Rosary Basilica, and the Basilica of St. Pius X (the Lower and Underground Basilicas). The Grotto of Massabielle, where Bernadette Soubirous is said to have seen the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, is a simple and stark recess within the sanctuary. The surrounding area has been modified to facilitate the passing of pilgrims, with a new esplanade, fountains, and a bridge built in recent years.
In addition to the Chapel of Lights, there are various other places in the sanctuary where pilgrims can light candles, including during the daily torchlight Marian procession at 9 pm, which begins near the grotto and ends in the Rosary Square. The procession is led by sick and disabled pilgrims, followed by volunteers carrying a replica of the Cabuchet statue of the Virgin Mary, and most participants carry candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Lighting a votive candle at the Grotto of Lourdes is a symbol of faith and hope, representing one's prayers, hopes, gratitude, or memories. The tradition is believed to have started when Bernadette Soubirous, during the fourth apparition of the Virgin Mary, arrived at the Grotto with a blessed candle on 19 February 1858.
You can light votive candles at the Chapel of Lights, also known as the Chapelles de Lumière, located on the right bank of the Gave, opposite the Grotto.
While there is no specific prayer mentioned, lighting a candle is often accompanied by a personal prayer or intention that is entrusted to the Virgin Mary. Some people may also recite the rosary or sing hymns like the Immaculate Mary during the torchlight procession that takes place daily at 9 pm.
Yes, many pilgrims choose to purchase and take home a Lourdes candle as a souvenir. These candles are often lit on special occasions, such as birthdays or religious feasts, to extend the spiritual connection with Lourdes.
The candle burners at the Grotto are tended by staff known as "feutiers." They ensure that candles burn safely and evenly and remove trays of melted wax. It is important to follow their guidance and any posted safety instructions when lighting votive candles at the Grotto of Lourdes.
