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The Domaine of the Grotto
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The town of Lourdes has been growing slowly and the Grotto of
Massabielle has always been its centre. The bishopric of Tarbes has
owned the rock, and its adjacent riverbank, since 1861. Over time
the bishop, Monsignor Laurence, bought up the surrounding land in
order to improve access. In 1869, Espelugues Hill, the location of
the Way of the Cross, was added. Finally, between 1874 and 1942, the
meadows on the right bank of the Gave were acquired. This area is
known as the Prairie. Thus was completed the Domain of the Grotto of
Massabielle.
The Domain is one of the biggest shrines in the world and covers an
area of 50 hectares. Under the authority of the bishop of Tarbes and
Lourdes, the shrine is directed by a rector and staffed by a number
of chaplains. There are seven gates by which the shrine can be
accessed. These gates are located at each of the four points of the
compass: to the south, Saint Joseph's Gate, the Lacets Gate and the
Upper (Superieure) Gate; to the North, the Meadow Gate; to the East,
Saint Michael's Gate, to the West, the Forest (Foret) Gate. The two
busiest gates are Saint Michael's and Saint Joseph's. These lead to
the two main streets of Lourdes, respectively, the Boulevard de la
Grotte, and the Rue de la Grotte.
On entering Saint Joseph's Gate you approach Rosary Square and the
steps of the Rosary Basilica. To the right-hand side is the
Esplanade which leads to Saint Michael's Gate. This is the main
avenue of the shrine and, at more than a kilometre long, is the
perfect route for all major processions. The Esplanade also leads to
the main entrance to the Saint Pius X underground basilica.
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The Domain area, with the River Gave flowing
past, is one of the biggest shrines in the world.
The Esplanade is the long grey "road" running down the
centre from the basilicas to Saint Michael's Gate. |
On the Esplanade, facing toward the basilicas, is the statue of the
Crowned Virgin. This statue, because of its distinctiveness, is used
as the assembly point for one-day pilgrims and as a meeting place
generally. The statue commemorates the ceremony of the coronation of
Our Lady of Lourdes, which took place on July 3rd, 1876. The
Esplanade opens onto the forecourt of the Rosary Basilica, which is
bounded on either side by seven great arches that support the ramps
to the Crypt and the Upper Basilica. This square, which can
accommodate nearly forty thousand people at once, is the finishing
place for the processions. There are three chapels in this area,
including Saint Bernadette's altar, which is used daily during
pilgrimages for the sick. Traditionally Palm Sunday Mass, and the
final mass of the Pilgrimage of the Rosary are celebrated in this
square.
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The Rosary Square, seen from behind the Crowned
Virgin Statue, is the location of the finale of all the major
processions. |
On the left bank of the Gave, at the foot of the basilicas,
Massabielle Rock opens up into the Grotto. On one side are the
drinking fountains; on the other, the bath-houses. On the opposite
bank is Saint Bernadette's Church. Three hospital centres cater for
the needs of the sick and infirm: Our Lady's, Saint Frai's and Saint
Bernadette's.
Finally, the shrine extends beyond the Saint Pius X Basilica to the
Pavilion area between the Boulevard de la Grotte and the Gave, at
the foot of the castle.
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The Basilicas perched on the Rock of
Massabielle, with the Pyrenees as a backdrop. |
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