The International Sanctuary of Lourdes launches :
"Lourdes United"
Global e-pilgrimage !
On July 16, the anniversary of the 18th and last apparition of the Virgin Mary, the Shrine of Lourdes will host an exceptional e-pilgrimage for the whole world, which will take place live from the Grotto of the Apparitions.
This extraordinary day will bring together millions of people from all continents, through television, radio and social networks, under the sign of hope and solidarity.
15 hours live in 10 languages !
On the agenda :
From 7 am to 22 pm (France) – Broadcasts of the celebrations, processions, rosaries, prayers. A new TV program will take place live from 4pm to 6pm at the Grotto. Religious and civil personalities will follow one another on the set, testifying to the role that Lourdes plays in their lives. The cameras will go behind the scenes of this unique place to better explain its mission.
Numerous interventions on the themes of solidarity, fraternity, commitment, (entr)aid, hope and the search for meaning, as well as reports, archive videos, live music, duplexes with foreigners and other highlights will complete these 2 hours of live coverage.
A time of reunion, hope and solidarity to reconnect with the spirit of Lourdes…
Lourdes, an international pilgrimage centre, mobilises nearly 100,000 volunteers to welcome 3 million pilgrims and visitors from all over the world each year, including more than 50,000 sick and disabled people. Multi-generational and multi-cultural, the “Lourdes United” e- pilgrimage will bring together all those who, in the four corners of the world, see Lourdes as a beacon of faith, commitment, sharing and hope. The world is facing an unprecedented economic and social crisis, coupled with an unprecedented quest for meaning. The fraternity, generosity and hope that the Shrine has been carrying for 162 years has never been so essential. At Lourdes, the poor, the frail, the sick and the handicapped have first place.
Lourdes United in the face of the crisis
The chaplains of the Shrine of Lourdes have always brought prayer for and with the world to the Grotto, and even more so during the global crisis we are experiencing. Hundreds of thousands of messages, cries for help, cries of suffering, but also testimonies of hope continue to reach Lourdes, hearts beating with prayer.
Closed for more than two months for the first time in its history, the Shrine has had all pilgrimages cancelled. In spite of its partial reopening, the Shrine can only welcome a very limited number of pilgrims, according to a strict sanitary protocol.
Lourdes without pilgrims is a Lourdes without resources to carry out its mission, to maintain the entire site, to guarantee its durability and the jobs of its 320 employees. The Sanctuary expects a historic loss of 8 million euros. Beyond that, almost the whole of the Lourdes catchment area is in immense difficulty.
This is an unprecedented situation and an unprecedented initiative: the e-pilgrimage “Lourdes United”.
On July 16, the Shrine will call upon the generosity of all those who wish to help Lourdes continue its work.
The world needs hope; the world needs Lourdes.
Help Lourdes to get up and prepare for the future!
Contact
Georgina Thompson– georgina.thompson@havas.com / m +44 7841 630 975
Shailo Rasanyakam – Shailo.Rasanyakam@havas.com / m +44 (0) 789 276 6217