Lourdes signs: water, crowds, sick people

The water
"Go drink and wash at the source", this is what the Virgin Mary asked Bernadette Soubirous on February 25, 1858. The water of Lourdes is not blessed water. It is a normal and common water. It has no specific therapeutic virtue or property. The popularity of Lourdes water was born with miracles. The healed people got wet, or drank the spring water. Bernadette Soubirous herself said: “You take water like medicine…. we must have faith, we must pray: this water would have no virtue without faith! ". The water of Lourdes is the sign of another water: that of baptism.

The crowds
For over 160 years, the crowd has been present at the event, coming from every continent. At the time of the first apparition, on 11 February 1858, Bernadette was accompanied only by her sister Toinette and a friend, Jeanne Abadie. In a few weeks, Lourdes enjoys the reputation of "city of miracles". At first hundreds, then thousands of faithful and curious people flock to the place. After the official recognition of the apparitions by the Church, in 1862, the first local pilgrimages are organized. The notoriety of Lourdes took on an international dimension in the early twentieth century. But it is after the Second World War that statistics indicate a phase of strong growth…. From April to October, every Wednesday and Sunday, at h. 9,30 am, an international mass is celebrated in the basilica of San Pio X. During the months of July and August, in the Sanctuary there are also international masses for young people.

Sick people and hospitaliers
What strikes the simple visitor is the presence of numerous sick and handicapped people inside the Sanctuary. These life-injured people in Lourdes can find some comfort. Officially, around 80.000 sick and disabled people from various countries go to Lourdes every year. Despite sickness or infirmity, they feel here in an oasis of peace and joy. Lourdes' first healings occurred during the apparitions. Since then the sight of the sick has deeply moved many people so as to push them to offer their help spontaneously. They are the hospitaliers, men and women. Healing of bodies cannot however hide the healing of hearts. All, sick in body or spirit, find themselves at the foot of the Cave of the Apparitions, in front of the Virgin Mary to share their prayer