February 11, 2008 marks the 150th anniversary of when a young shepherdess, Bernadette Soubirous, encountered the ghost of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France. It’s said that it was the Virgin Mary who gave her messages to share with the world, including where to find the healing waters.

Since that fateful day in 1858, millions of pious pilgrims flock to this tiny southwest French village for worshipping and to grab some of the healing water from the spring. In fact, an average of 5 million visitors go to Lourdes every year. It’s miraculously in the top 10 most visited attractions in France (the rest being mostly Paris landmarks). This year, they expect about 8 million people, and this Monday (February 11) alone for the Feast of our lady of Lourdes, they expect at least 50,000 people.

Here’s what’s happening if you find yourself in Lourdes on Monday 2/11/08:

9:00 am - Mass in English in the Crypt Chapel
9:30 am - International Mass at the Podium on the Prairie
11:00 am - Commemorating the 1st apparition followed by the Angelus at the Grotto
5:00 pm - Blessed sacrament procession
9:00 pm -Torchlight Marian Procession from the Grotto

Other Masses Crypt- 7:30 am, Rosary Basilica, 8:30 am -11:00 am, 6:00 pm

Tuesday and Wednesday, 2/12/08 and 2/13/08
There is Mass in English every day at 9:00 am in the Chapel of St. Gabriele

For more information contact the Information Center
Open daily: tel: +33 (0)5 62 42 78 78
or contact the official site for the 150th anniversary