hospitalitè Notre Dame de Lourdes - EN

Conceived for a special event, a useful resource with detailed information onthe role of Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes

A dvd, obtainable from the hospitalité office, which combines information with testimonies from those who live the inner life of hospitalité

THE PURPOSE OF LOVE IS

SERVICEA journey through the history of Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes from the beginningto present day also with a look towards the future

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Year 2010

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SERVICEUnique edition

Published forHospitalité Notre Dame de LourdesAccueil Jean-Paul II, B.P. 19765106 Lourdes Cedex

In charge of publicationAntoine Tierny

Realized forHospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes

Texts byPierre ChalvidanPierfrancesca GravianiDeborah Moleri

Graphic projectMAB.q Roma-Milano-Parigi

PaginationElena Colombi

Editorial staffPierfrancesca GravianiDeborah MoleriTino Redaelli

Thanks to Fr René Point for sharing his own experiences, his writings and the majority of the photos used in this monograph

PhotosOsservatore Romano“Servir les malades à Lourdes, 1885-1985; 100 ans de Hospitalité”, by father René Point, NDL editions

PrintingImprimerie Augé

w e b s i t e

The Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes has got a new website!

The new website has been conceived for a communicative restyling, part of a relaunch of the association’s publicity, aimed at fostering closer contact and

interaction among its members. It has modern and captivating graphics, easy to read online, available in six languages (French, Italian, Spanish, English, German, Dutch)

to reach our hospitaliers and supporters all over the world.

Connect to www.hospitalite-lourdes.com to find out lots of useful information about the association, history, activities, services, how to enrol for a “stage” (period of voluntary service) and join the great Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes family.

H o s p i t a l i t é 1

This publication recounts the 125 years of history of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes which was created on 28th January, 1885.

It will enable everyone who is interested in our hospitality to learn about its history as well as that of the men and women who preceded us.Let’s pay homage to those whose writings have transmitted the necessary information for us to compile this publication, in particular: Mr. Rebsomen, the canons Courtin and Branthomme, Mrs. Touvet, father Point and the Sanctuaries of Lourdes through their various publications.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to its accomplishment, in particular Pierre Chalvidanwho had the great task of projecting himself into the future.Two words show up all through this work: Welcome and Serve.

By our example, and as our “elders” did for us, let us pass on these words to our successors in order for the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes to continue living in the same spirit in which it always has.

Antoine Tierny

INTRODUCTION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOSPITALITY

2 – Exclusive interviewA valuable testimony

6 – The birthBirth of the association from good will to perseverance

12 – The Hospitalité development – 1885-1914From the first presidency to the Great War

18 – The association between the two warsA difficult path

24 – Post-war periodTowards the centenary of the apparitions

32 – Pilgrimage to Rome 2010

34 – The first 100 yearsAfter the centenary of the apparitions, the hospitality begins preparations to celebrate its first century

42 – Recent history – 1986-2008The Hospitalité over the last twenty years

48 – The Hospitalité todayA solid truth

56 – The future of the HospitalitéOne hundred and twenty years and beyond

60 - Lourdes and the popesA tight bond

SUMMARY

H o s p i t a l i t é2

Father René Point is the author of the book “Serving the Sick in Lourdes 1885 – 1985; 100 years of the Hospitalité” published by NDL Editions and on sale

since April 2009.

His work was defined by Jacques Perrier, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, as more than a mere story by a historian. It is the “work of a witness” which has retraced the century of history of an extraordinary association.Indeed, Father Point, born 22nd April in Lourdes was chaplain for Notre Dame de Lourdes from 1947 to 1955, and in charge of the “Pélerinage d’un Jour” (Day Pilgrimage) from 1967 to 1984. He personally lived through a great part of the HNDL’s history. In this very precise book, he didn’t just tell what he lived, but he did advanced research based on various sources such as the Archives of the Grotto of Lourdes, the Annals of Notre Dame de Lourdes, and the Journal of the Grotto amongst others.In addition to his meticulous narrative of the hundred years of the association, he also tells the story of the evolution of the Shrine of Lourdes and the pilgrimages. A difficult task, as it isn’t possible to evoke all the events. He chose to proceed by selecting events based on four criteria: the events which were integrated in the history of the Hospitalité; the events which the Hospitalité was directly involved in, such as the big pilgrimages and the important festivities of Lourdes, which enabled him to reference the main aspects of the history of the Shrine; important events for the Church and diocese, such as the election of a new pope or the nomination of a new Bishop; exceptionally the events related to the history of its religious family, the Missionnaires de l’Immaculée Conception de Lourdes (Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception of Lourdes).

His work was so appreciated that Monseigneur Jacques Perrier asked him to work on a sequel, the history of the Hospitalité from 1985 to 2010, the coming year which will mark a very important anniversary for the Association, its 125th year. Father Point accepted voluntarily the «quite lengthy work» even if he was aware that he wouldn’t be able to start it until 2010 but he hopes that the «Lord will allow him to finish it!».

Interview with a witnessBefore going into the history of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes, a meeting with father René Point or how the author of the new “bible” on the HNDL sees the association, now over a century old

Above, the cover of father René Point’s book, author of “Servir les malades à Lourdes, 1885-1985; 100 ans d’Hospitalité” (NdL Editions), written for the first 100 years of the Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes

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“Serving the sick in Lourdes 1885-1985; 100 years of the Hospitalité” is the work published by father Point in the year dedicated to Bernadette

The president of Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes, Antoine Tierny, with father René Point, author of the volume about the first 100 years of HNdL (1885 - 1985). Father Point is going to gather other documents to realize a second book about the last 25 years of Hospitalité, until 2010

As witness and now expert of the HNDL, we asked him what the most significant evolutions were which he had noticed in its history of the Hospitalité and its volunteers from 1985 until today. Father René Point affirmed: «It seems to me that the key date to take into account is not 1985 but 1978, the year the Charter was signed by Mgr. Donze». Indeed, this Charter, which was prepared in this spirit of the Vatican II, marked various advances of which the most important are: - An age limit for those in charge.- The integration into the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes of all the sections of the feminine branch, the nurses at Saint-Frai hospital and the Accueil Notre Dame,

Fulfilling the request of a fellow brother, father Henri Joulia, former chief chaplain of the Hospitalité Our Lady of Lourdes, father Point decided to undertake this scrupulous job in order to explain the background of this association through its first one hundred years (from 1885 to 1995). An important characteristic emerges amongst these pages: father Point, unlike a simple historian, reveals himself, chapter by chapter, to be the most suitable person to present these facts, thanks to his profound link with the Hospitalité and with Lourdes itself, which not by chance, was also his place of birth. An intense link which has lasted for almost a century, given that the author is preparing to celebrate his one hundred summers. Something which makes this tale a true deposition of an association which has never stopped «shining and rejuvenating in this third millennium», as written in his presentation by François Vayne, director of «Pole Editions» of the Notre Dame de Lourdes

Sanctuaries. The book is characterised by a chronological narration of facts, based on the various Presidents who have headed the association over the years (beginning with Viscount Georges de Pouy, passing through Count Etienne de Beauchamp and finishing with François Guibaud). The first chapter makes an exception, by supplying precious elements to contextualise the Hospitalité’s history throughout its first one hundred years of life on a political and social front too. There is an interesting section at the end of the book dedicated to the “Women’s Hospitalité”, with precious information regarding its foundation, organisation and the «all female» management of the movement. Father Point’s book shows itself to be a true «bible», which offers itself as useful reference for all those interested in the Hospitalité Notre Dame at close quarters. And why not, it is also a means by which to awaken and give new life to the vocations of «Mary’s little workforce».

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which could, from then on, have a council and a president in place of the “supérieure” (female person in charge). From that moment, a woman could also be general president. - The opening of the council to members from other countries.

Father Point points out, «From that moment and under the influence of father Joulia, the evolution continued and led to the welcoming of youths and their training, the concern for religious training for all the hospitaliers, the search for better mutual understanding and a more cordial relationship with the HNDL and the hospitalities of the diocese, and also the search for more simplicity in the relation between the hospitaliers».Of course, the evolution of the association and its volunteers was mirrored by the evolution of the pilgrimages…

Father René Point distinguished four main points: - The organisers, the parishes, the dioceses, the various religious families, Catholic Action… etc.- The “geographical provenance”: parishes, dioceses and also pilgrimages from different nations. - Means of transport: coaches, trains, planes. - The programs, «A change from pilgrimages with big ceremonies to pilgrimages with meetings».

Father Point points out that besides the four main changes, there is «a great deal of tourists and individual pilgrims who go to Lourdes every year». Hence, the need for the “Pélerinage d’un Jour” (day pilgrimage), something he organised himself in 1967 in order to facilitate the spiritual process. In the coming

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Father Point, born on 22th april 1911 in the town of Lourdes, was chapelain in Notre dame of Lourdes from 1947 to 1955 and also responsible for one day pilgrimage institution from 1967 to 1984. He can be considered one of the most important witness of HNdL’s historical events

Father Point wants to speak about the importance of HNdL in promoting young people’s action toward the oldest ones and other people’s needs

years, the pilgrimages will be bigger according to father René Point. But, apart from the organised pilgrimages «there will be more and more individual pilgrims and also non practising people who go to Lourdes».In addition to the book on the hundred years of the HNDL, we have also talked about the “magic” which happens in the association still today. Indeed, as the years pass the number of volunteers has increased. So, what is the HNDL’s secret? «It’s an attraction which was noticeable as soon as it was founded»: serving the sick is to serve Christ, making it an honour and a privilege to be part of the association (…) this is the reason for Christians’ and non Christians’ attraction to the Hospitalité.

What about the relation between the Hospitalité and young people? «It’s a relationship which has evolved a lot». Indeed, since the application of the Charter, the young people who until then were only porters, it was possible for people to have training which gave them the will to be part of the HNDL «the Association makes the elders see the young people favourably, it is interested in them…and this is noticeable with the creation of the “Foyer” for young people». The better relations between the hospitalities of the diocese and the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes predicted an even better future: «The barriers are falling and we me be led to believe that in the following years, the youths may join more easily and will be welcomed better».

Before thanking father Point for having dedicated his time for the interview and for having presented his work so well to the HNDL, we wanted to discuss another aspect with him. Reading the book on the hundred years, we notice from the first pages that the birth of the HNDL, until recent years and still today, the association has been faithful to the intuitions and objectives which it had in 1885. It is rare for see such constancy not only in the association but in general in the world around us.«For the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes, father Sempé could have conceived a mere association, but he chose to make it a confraternity to give it the label and stability of a work of the Church. He wanted the members of the association to commit themselves to a more authentic Christian life». Everything relates back to that initial choice of making it a confraternity, or a religious and charitable association whose main goal was to be at the service of the sick who would go to the Grotto of Lourdes. «The hospitaliers shall not only give material help, but they shall also offer the spiritual goodness of their souls». (Statute number 1). With this will, all the generations of hospitaliers from 1885 to today, have carried out their duties by making the Hospitalité a stable association, which would last in time and which has succeeded in going through the hardest times in the history of the world.

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T H E B I R T H


The birth of the Hospitalité Notre Damede Lourdes. From good will to perseverance

The Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes

as we know it today was born in January,

1885. It represents the accomplishment of the commitment and work

of several volunteers. The Hospitalité has

come a long way since its first pilgrimage in

Lourdes in 1864

We could easily begin this review which retraces and celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes (HNDL) with the classic…

“Once upon a time…” Usually, this formula is reserved for fai-ry tales. However, the association’s course was filled with ex-traordinary events. It is indeed a very unusual story.In order to fully understand the environment in which the HNDL was founded, we need to remind ourselves of the po-litical and social situation during the years 1850 – 1885. One of the key events of the period was 2nd December, 1851 when, after a coup, Louis Napoleon Bonaparte passed from “simple” Prince-President to Emperor of the French. At the time, the coup was welcomed by the Catholics who had supported Na-poleon III since April, 1850, when he was victorious over the republicans of Garibaldi and reinstated pope Pius IX in Rome.This agreement between Emperor and Church only lasted for ten years. Indeed, in 1860, Napoleon III distanced himself from the Catholics by strongly opposing the Papal States’ union with the new Kingdom of Italy.

Ten years later, on 4th September, 1870 things changed: after the announcement of the capturing of Napoleon III by the Prussians in Sedan, a crowd of Parisians invaded the Palais Bourbon, seat of the Legislative Chamber, which resolved to declare the Emperor fallen and to proclaim the Third Republic. While France was under Napoleon’s rule, at the Vatican on 8th December, 1854, pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception after a theological reflexion which had lasted several centuries. Four years later, on 11th Februa-ry, 1858, in Lourdes, a small village in the Pyrenees, the Vir-gin Mary appeared for the first time to Bernadette Soubirous, a simple, young girl who was very poor. «The Blessed Virgin chose me because I’m the poorest and most ignorant», Ber-nadette would say later. A series of apparitions occurred (18 in total) ending in July, during which the Lady who appeared to Bernadette delivered to her what would be later called the Message of Lourdes. On 25th March, 1858, during the sixteenth

T H E B I R T H

7

The square dedicated to monsignor Laurence and “ascent of the fathers” towards the basilica

Priests and hospitaliers put the pilgrims on the train


T H E B I R T H

apparition, the Lady finally revealed her name to Bernadette in patois: «Que soy era immaculada counceptiou» («I am the Immaculate Conception»), confirming the dogma of the Imma-culate Conception. Monsignor Bertrand-Sévère, then Bishop of Tarbes, was made aware of the events. From the very begin-ning, he completely reserved judgement, preferring to wait for the conclusions of the commission of investigation which he had formed that same year. It wasn’t until 18th January. 1862 that he promulgated a mandate resting on the commission’s conclusions confirming the veracity of the events: The Imma-culate Mother of God really appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in the Grotto of Massabielle.In this context, it is easy to go back to the origins of the HNDL. On 4th April, 1864, the first official ceremony related to the apparitions of Lourdes was organised with the benediction of the statue which was placed in the Grotto. Three months later, in mid-July, the first local pilgrimage was organised.Since then, Lourdes started to become known. In 1866, the Bordeaux-Tarbes railway line was extended to the Marian town, making the journey easier for the pilgrims from the region. A special train service began between Bayonne and Lourdes with no less than 700 pilgrims on board. The movement had begun and gradually spread.In 1872, Abbot Victor Chocarne of Saint-Nicolas de Beaune, worked for the organisation, «with great proof of faith and hope in France», a country which was still affected by the de-feat of 1870. With the help of an ardent Christian, Madame de Blic, he alerted all the dioceses, the Marian sanctuaries and the press. Thus, between 5th and 8th October, 1872, approxi-mately 25,000 pilgrims from all over France made their way to this town in the Pyrenees. The Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary (Sanctuaire Notre Dame de Lourdes) then became the biggest Marian sanctuary in France.For this reason, 1872 is considered a “year of rapid expansion” for Lourdes: in twelve months the town received 119,000 pil-grims not only from around the region of the Garonne River, but also from the Loire and the Rhone departments, from Paris and from the Mediterranean coast.In July, 1873, father Picard, director of the Conseil Général des Pèlerinages (General Assembly of the Pilgrimages) and one of the founders of the Association Notre Dame de Salut, who had organised a national pilgrimage the preceding year in La Salette, renewed the experience in Lourdes with a to-tal of 492 pilgrims. By the end of the year, the registrars of the Midi railway company (Chemin de Fer du Midi) revealed that Lourdes had welcomed 140,000 pilgrims that year and that for the first time some had come from abroad, especially from Spain and Belgium.

In 1866, the Bordeaux-Tarbes line is extended to Lourdes with many advantages for sick and pilgrims

T H E B I R T H

1874 was marked by major events. On one hand, 14 sick and poor were brought from the national pilgrimage. On another hand, the congregation of the Filles de Notre Dame des Dou-leurs, which was founded in Tarbes in 1866 by Marie Saint-Frai and the Canon Dominique Ribes and whose mission was to welcome the elderly, laid the first stone for the hospital Notre Dame des Douleurs. This hospital was destined to the poor and elderly of the region as well as to pilgrims without resources. This same congregation provisionally opened the Saint Joseph chalet at Villa Sainte Marguerite situated in Avenue de Paradis which runs along the Gave de Pau River in Lourdes. During this period, the sick were accompanied by their families; they lodged in the hotels and were taken care of by their relatives. They could already “wash in the fountain” because, as early as 1862, a cabin had been built near the Grotto for the sick.

Between 1875 and 1879, the number of pilgrims increased more and more as well as the number of sick and poor arri-ving in Lourdes to pray to the Virgin for health and confort. From 1879, they were transported at no cost thanks to a cha-rity organised by the Notre Dame de Salut. However, all this was not enough to accompany and follow the progress of the sick. The good will and devotion of the religious, students and

Pilgrims waiting for the white train

Witness Accounts taken from the annals of Notre

Dame de Lourdes of the first pilgrimages of 1879

«Finally, after two long days of travelling, we have arrived in Lourdes. Sick people’s wagons are visited with anxiety. The first miracle is that no one is dead! Some were most probably administered on the way; but they are all here, full of confidence and joy.

A short time afterwards, the sick were in front of the Grotto or in the Baths, and the great prayer had begun. There has never been a

more moving and more beautiful sight. For three days and three nights, hundreds, thousands of Christians were there, in front of the Grotto and around the Baths, usually kneeling, often crossing their arms, each kissing the ground on a given sign, saying Rosaries and litanies, singing hymns, never ceasing, obstinately praying and crying whilst their brothers would bring the sick over to immerse them into the salutary Baths.

Crowds came from afar to witness this extraordinary display of prayer. The most indifferent were moved; big tears welled up in their eyes; and kneeling, they joined in this prayer which softened their hearts.

The Immaculate Virgin was touched by such faith and such love. Those who witnessed the event will never forget…A solemn blessing of the Most Holy Sacrament was given at the Grotto in presence of the sick».


T H E B I R T H

sisters looking after the sick and disabled would soon beco-me insufficient. Little by little, new volunteers accompanied by the curious came to give a helping hand. But, once again the “staff” and the structures dedicated to the Hospitalité became insufficient for the requirements of the increasing number of pilgrims. Considering the circumstances, the transportation of the sick called for necessary improvisation, with the use of ma-keshift means. It wasn’t unusual for stretchers to be carried by volunteers by hand with straps from the station to the accom-modation. Sometimes, little wagons pulled by hand or by horse were used. Stretchers, chairs and mattresses were set up for the sick in front of the Grotto, but they were very provisional and not very practical.

It was in this context that, thanks to the good will and coor-dination of people such as count Etienne de Beauchamp, de l’Espinois, Combettes du Luc and father Vincent de Paul Bailly, things became more organised and the number of volunteers increased. The HNDL was beginning to take shape.The first Hospitalier Committee was formed in Toulouse under the presidency of Combettes du Luc and in August, 1881, the eve of the National Pilgrimage, this Committee organised its first meeting. The members dedicated themselves to serve the sick in Lourdes during the entire duration of the National Pil-grimage. When the sick arrived, the hospitaliers were already prepared, everyone was in place. The marquis de Laurens Ca-stelet trained three teams of porters: one at the hospital, one at the Grotto and one at the Baths. The leader of each team was chosen from the group of the Hospitalier Committee, who then trained the young volunteers. The main services were already organised from the first year: the transport of the sick from the

1848 FRANCEProclamation of the Second Republic

1849 ITALYPope Pius IX is expelled from Rome

1848-1849 ITALYFirst War of Independence

1851 FRANCELouis Bonaparte’s coup (Napoleon III)

1856 FRANCETreaty of Paris, end of the Crimean War

1859-1860 ITALYSecond War of Independence against Austria

1860 ITALYGaribaldi and the Expedition of the Thousand

1861 ITALYProclamation of the Kingdom of Italy

1864 ENGLANDLondon. Creation of the first International Workingmen’s association under the initiative of philosopher Karl Marx

The courtyard of the Hospital Notre dame des Sept douleurs (Saint Frai). The services of the Hospitalitè Notre dame de Lourdes are very important for helping the sick who visit the Marian town

assistance for sick pilgrims

WHEN AND WHAT


T H E B I R T H

station to the accommodation, the daily transport of the sick from the Grotto to the Baths, nurses were available, a kind of security service was put into place at the Grotto and at the Baths, and finally, the bathing was carried out by male hospita-liers for men and by nurses for women. Under the presidency of count Combettes du Luc, the Lourdes Hospitality became more perfected. In 1882, there were 300 hospitaliers ready to welcome the pilgrims. The latter began to arrive, not only in August during the National Pilgrimage, but also all year round; so, the hospitaliers had to get organised to be able to be permanently active in Lourdes: for this reason, the “Permanent Council of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes” was founded. However, the true birth of the HNDL was not until 1885. After a period of approximately two years of activity, on 25th January, 1885, monsignor Bilière canonically established the confraternity Notre Dame de Lourdes in the Crypt and the same day signed the statutes in Tarbes. Thus, the HNDL obtained the official recognition of the Church.

Foundation of the Hospitalité

Notre Dame de Lourdes «Under the direction of the Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, all year round the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes gives the sick that flock to the Grotto and to the Baths, the same services and the same treatment which the Notre Dame de Salut association gives to the sick during the National Pilgrimage. The Bishop of Tarbes, who was more touched than anyone by the beauty of this charity, canonically established it as a confraternity».

Taken from the September edition ofAnnals of Notre dame de Lourdes

1866 ITALYThird War of Independence against Austria. Prussian War

1867 FRANCEUniversal Exhibition in Paris

1870 FRANCEFranco-Prussian War, Napoleon III is captured. Proclamation of the Third Republic. Rome becomes capital of Italy

1871 FRANCEInsurrection in Paris, establishment of the Paris Commune, proclamation of the German Empire

1873 EUROPELeague of the Three Emperors between Austria-Hungary, Germany and Russia

1878 FRANCEThird universal Exhibition at Trocadéro, Paris. Congress of Berlin, establishment of the Balkan Peninsula

1882 EUROPETriple Alliance between Italy, Germany and Austria, with an anti-French function

T H E H O S P I TA L I T é D E V E L O P M E N T – 1 8 8 5 - 1 9 1 4


The years which preceded the First World War were quite difficult for the HNDL, historically as much as politically. Moreover, the relations with the Hospitalité Notre Dame

de Salut became more and more complicated and the HNDL took more and more distance from it until becoming completely autonomous. This led to the confirmation of the HNDL’s essen-tial role, an association of volunteers for welcoming the pilgrims in Lourdes, who go to this Marian city by the thousands every day. This transitional period was marked by various difficulties relative to a clear and accepted definition of the role of each Hospitality, difficulties which would reveal to be beneficial, as they’d only confirm the faith and the vocation which drives each member of the HNDL.

The first changes took place on 1885, when for the first time, the HNDL took care of welcoming the pilgrims and the sick who were arriving in this town in the Pyrenees instead of the Welco-ming Committee. It was a nominal change, given that the mem-bers and those in charge, including the president, belonged to the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Salut. Organisational difficulties were overcome thanks to the volunteers’ exemplary work, who-se attitude was impeccable and who showed many qualities, which the viscount de Pouy, secretary of the HNDL, pointed out in his annual report: self denial, devotion, precision and appli-cation in their services, showing proof of wisdom, moderation and obedience to the dispositions taken. The volunteers were able to rid themselves of any prejudices. Their services spread over several districts and areas of the town, for example from the Grotto to the Baths with particular attention paid to sections for females, under a management which was «precise and strict, and knew how to keep profanity away».

Despite the volunteers’ excellent service, there were plenty of political problems. The report father Burosse addressed to father Sempé on 12th October 1885 was one example. He criticised de Combettes du Luc, accusing him of wanting to give special treatment to «this compact, closed and organised body of the volunteers of Notre Dame de Salut». These words would end up being premonitory at a very important moment in the history of the Hospitalité which was in need of autonomy and freedom of action more than ever. From that moment, as father Burosse suggested, the ties with the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Salut would officially come to an end.

From the first presidencies to the Great War

During the first years,the Hospitalité Notre

Dame de Lourdes (Hospitality of Our

Lady of Lourdes) became a landmark for

millions of pilgrims.With the prestigious

recognitionof the Vatican…



A horse-drawn carriage in front

of the office of the Hospitalité

The hospitaliers’ “Popote” was created by the Hospitalité in 1895 for the brancardiers (male helpers) who, as they were too busy helping the pilgrims, didn’t have time to go and eat in town



During the last meeting on 5th October 1885: «From 8th Octo-ber 1885, the confraternity has reduced us to our own forces… The confraternity will take up its duties and, from the National Pilgrimage, will fulfil all the duties of the Hospitalité. I do not conceal the difficulties which await me…but I count on your mercy and kindness, and God’s protection. I ask Him for light, strength, wisdom and for the firmness necessary to carry out Our Lady’s work».

The difficulties anticipated by father Burosse in his speech manifested themselves very soon, namely due to the habits already established and to the existing privileges. Despite everything, there was an atmosphere of optimism. In regards to this, the viscount de Pouy wrote: «the first group of the association has finished its service; but the men who belong to it remain and keep their role, they are always present when the Father calls». The situation at that moment was very complicated, in particular for de Combettes du Luc who was carrying out two duties which are complimentary though differentiated. Despite his reservations at the start concerning the creation of another Hospitalité, he accepted the new dispositions with great respect with regard to father Sempé and the missionaries. He also accepted to manage the HNDL. He only held this role for a short time as he died on 8th March, 1886 at age 45.

The new Hospitalité welcomed the viscount de Pouy as the second president of the association, a trustworthy person from an old family from Gascony, viscount Georges de Pouy had enrolled as a papal Zouave for pope Pius IX, where he was promoted to Officer and decorated several times. This was how he presented himself, simply and ironically: «A type of old bureaucrat, loving even the floorboards of his office; who couldn’t work at his usual table; fussy, grumpy, and quite precise in his work». Then, there was just the question of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Salut to take care of: designate just one president for the two Hospitalités or encourage their complete separation by naming two different presidents? The Marquis de Laurens Castelet became the spokesperson for the first solution in a letter written to father Sempé. However, the second was adopted placing Fernand de Carrière at the head of the Hospitalité de Notre Dame de Salut.

1886 was a probationary period, as for the first time, the HNDL was standing on it own two feet and had to manage the arrival of 700 sick who had arrived in Lourdes outside the National Pilgrimage, not to mention those who came independently. Thanks to the new president’s actions, the association had over 84 permanent volunteers and more than 50 admission requests. During that year, the foundation of the Ladies’ service and the organisation of the first Corpus Christi procession strengthened

the Hospitalité in action. During 1887, the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes continued to develop and had amongst its volunteers, 129 permanent members, 38 auxiliary members, and among the women 84 permanent members and 52 auxilia-ry members. On the sacerdotal jubilee of pope Leo XIII, various pilgrimages destined to Rome were organised in particular that in April 1888, in which de Pouy had the pleasure of participa-ting in. At the head of the group representing the HNDL, he was introduced to the Pope during his audience on 19th April. Having seen his pontifical decorations witnessing his profound attachment to the Church, the Pope blessed him with particular affection. However, the viscount de Pouy didn’t enjoy the plea-sure for much longer. He died suddenly on 25th August, 1888, a few steps from the Grotto at age 54.

Between 1888 and 1891, baron Dunot of Saint Maclou was head of the HNDL. A passionate doctor of philosophy, he founded the “Bureau des Constatations Médicales” (Medical Contestation Bureau) in order to scrupulously examine the va-rious cases of healings. Meanwhile, the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Salut lost its president, de Carrières, who was succeeded by count de l’Epinois. 1889 was an important new step for the as-sociation and for the town of Lourdes, with the inauguration of the Basilica of the Rosary on 6th, 7th, and 8th August.

Father Burosse, director of the Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes from 1885 until 1914



These ceremonies were the opportunity to reintroduce the Bles-sed Sacrament Processions, with blessing of the sick. All this joy and ardour was spoilt by the death of father Rémi Sempé, Supe-rior General of the Missionaries, on 1st September, 1889.

In 1892, baron Dunot of Saint Maclou died and Baron de Malet was named President of the HNDL. He was a permanent mem-ber since 25th August, 1885 and had been on the Counsel for several years. He was so dedicated to the service of the Grotto that the future Cardinal Lécot, archbishop of Bordeaux, called him the “Guardian of the Grotto”. His presidency brought many initiatives and new changes for the organisation.

1895: a “mess” was created for porters who didn’t always have time to eat their meal in town as they were busy with their du-ties. It would later be nicknamed ”popote” (cooking).27th April, 1897: Belgian pilgrims arrived in Lourdes with their sick in hospital coaches.From 17th to 21st April 1899: the 1st “National Pilgrimage of the Men of France” was held which united 40,000 participants in Lourdes. It was followed by 3 other similar pilgrimages which were held two year intervals, of which the most important was that in April, 1901 with 60,000 men.7th to 11th August, 1899: 12th International Eucharistic Congress. presided over by cardinal Langénieux, Archbishop of Reims.

1900: faced with the considerable increase in the number of sick (980 brought by the National Pilgrimage and 3,678 brought by the other pilgrimages) and the permanent members of the HNDL, monsignor Schoepfer, the new Bishop of Tarbes, created the role of vice-president of the Hospitalité and nominated Emile Christophe for the role. The “Dames Hospitalières” (Lady Hospitaliers) were often praised and the Annals witness their gratitude: «Not happy with only looking after the sick, they also want to dedicate their time and care to our sanctuaries». 5th, 6th and 7th October, 1901: Consecration of the Rosary Basilica and of the 15 lateral Altars by cardinal Langénieux. 1904: 50th anniversary of the promulgation by pope Pius IX of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Lourdes became particularly closer to Rome during this anniversary. In October, the volunteers organised their first pilgrimage to Rome and in December, the Bishop of Tarbes participated in the Marian Congress of Rome.

Meanwhile, on 10th April, 1903, T.R. father Picard, Superior General of the Augustinians of the Assumption and promoter for the National pilgrimages of Lourdes and Jerusalem, died in Rome. The same year, the situation was painful; in consequence of the law against religious congregations, the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception left Lourdes. Father Burosse, direc-tor of the Hospitalité, was particularly affected by this measure.

1887 EUROPENobel invents dynamite

1888 FRANCEInauguration of the Eiffel Tower

1889 EUROPEFirst Labour Day celebrations

1892 ITALYBeginning of the Giolitti era

1895 ITALYGuglielmo Marconi invents and patents the radio

1896 WORLDDe Coubertin’s new proposal for the Olympic Games, they will now take place every 4 years

1896 ITALYMassacre of Adwa in Ethiopia, marking the defeat of the African campaign

1901 ENGLAND Death of Queen Victoria

1904 FRANCEFrance joins the Triple Alliance with England and Russia

1909 ITALYBirth of Futurism, with Filippo Tommaso Marinetti’s manifesto

1912 WORLDThe transatlantic liner Titanic sinks

WHEN AND WHAT



The same year he was nominated a canon by the bishop who sent him to Auriébat, 54 km from Lourdes. It wasn’t until 1905 that he returned to Lourdes. His nomination as chaplain of the Sœurs de la Charité orphanage in Nevers awarded him the role of director of the Hospitalité, a role he would keep until his death in 1914.For quite a while, Baron Malet, president of the HNDL was paralysed by his illness. He finally resigned in 1905. His 13 year presidency was one of the longest and most significant for the association. Under his presidency, Lourdes developed more and more (the number of trains arriving in the Marian town per year rose from 179 to 318). His vice president, Emile Christophe, who was vice consul of Belgium and Deputy Mayor of Lourdes, succeeded him. He would be president until 1922. It would be one of the most difficult and most complicated presidencies of the history of the Hospitalité.

During 1906, the Hospitalité welcomed over 240 trains of pilgrims with nearly 6,000 sick. On 27th October, in application to the law on the separation of Church and State, the Grotto was sequestrated, monsignor Shoepfer asked Christophe and de Beauchamp to negotiate with the government for the buildings of the Sanctuary to be rented to them. Clemenceau, president of the Council, accorded it to them. Finally, by decree of the Official Journal of 9th April, 1910, the property of the Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary was attributed to the town and to the Bureau of Goodwill of Lourdes. Monsignor Shoepfer named count Etienne de Beauchamp vice president of the HNDL in August, 1907 with the preparations of the centenary of the apparition in mind. The Annals from January, 1908 list the favours accorded by pope Pius X for his jubilee celebrations and report that cardinal Lécot, Bishop of Bordeaux, would preside over the opening of the celebrations on 11th February. The jubilee year began with a pilgrimage in Rome, where monsignor Schoepfer brought 135 people from Lourdes and from his diocese; among them was a group of male and female hospitaliers.

1910 was the year celebrating the 25th anniversary of the HNDL. In March, father Burosse published an article in the Annals explaining the origins and the foundation of the Hospitalité, its organisation and its spirit. On 6th April, the Hospitality, taken to Rome by monsignor Schoepfer, was received by pope Pius X. The Hospitalité had then welcomed over 80,000 sick in 25 years thanks to the help of 631 hospitaliers.

Our journey across the HNDL’s first years ends at its jubilee celebrations on 8th September, 1910, marked by the papal bles-sing addressed to the volunteers, the sick and their families. On this occasion, over 420 Hospitaliers gathered under the Statue of the Virgin and a procession made its way to the basilica. The

A view of the Baths in 1891.The Baths, to the left of the

Grotto, are some of the most important sites in Lourdes



jubilee celebrations led to the creation of the “Spiritual Confra-ternity of the Hospitaliers of Our Lady of Lourdes” (Confraternité Spirituelle des Hospitaliers de Notre Dame de Lourdes), whose mission was to unite with a daily common prayer the members of the HNDL and to pray during a monthly celebration for the deceased brothers of the Hospitalité.

The Sanctuary of Lourdes was in perpetual movement in order to adapt to the new demand, so various works were undertaken, such as those to build a new “Pilgrim Shelter” in 1913 and the transferral of the association’s seat to under the third arch of the ramps of the Basilica of the Rosary.Our story ends here in 1914, on the eve of the First World War. The effects of this war would even be felt at the heart of the HNDL with the apparition of new difficulties and conflicts; an extremely delicate period during which the HNDL would find the strength to continue its work with more and more energy.

Sick and brancardiers of the Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes in the courtyard of

Saint-Frai Hospital during the last years of the 19th century,

under the presidency of baron dunot de Saint-Maclou

Nurses of the National Pilgrimage in front of a white train in Lourdes train station. The National Pilgrimage is a big event which welcomed

over 40,000 pilgrims in 1899

T H E A S S O C I AT I O N B E T W E E N T H E T W O W A R S


The Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes

(Hospitality Our Lady of Lourdes) was not

spared by world wars and their devastating

consequences. Among the painful deaths and the emergencies, hope

continued to prevail

The end of the “Belle Époque” offered new and important political and social perspectives while the world was on the brink of being shaken by two bloody conflicts of un-

precedented extent. In this climate of change, Lourdes beca-me a key point: not only recognised as a place of pilgrimage, Lourdes also became a place to welcome the refugees and the wounded. The Virgin’s message to Bernadette was seen under a new light, like a prayer for peace and a call for hope which affected the whole world much more than any political war strategy. In this troubled period, the HNDL succeeded in car-rying out its mission by adapting to the historic circumstances.

For the HNDL, 1914 began with a totally unexpected death. On Sunday, 25th January, father Norbert Burosse died suddenly in Maubourguet, while he was visiting his good friend monsignor Gardey, priest of Sainte-Clotide and Bishop of Paris, who himself was dying. Father Brosse was a privileged witness and the inspirer for what the HNDL was to become: he stayed by the HNDL from its foundation and experienced the succession of various presidents, while maintaining its initial charitable orientation through regular talks, advice and decisions he made or inspired.

Father Balette, chaplain of the Sanctuary and editor of the Annals since 1909, was nominated as director of the HNDL by monsignor Schoepfer. On 11th February 1914, father Balette pronounced his act of consecration during the ceremony which was held in the Grotto of Massabielle and was given the HNDL medal by the bishop representing his sincere dedication to serve the pilgrims. After singing the Magnificat, he celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, surrounded by fifteen or so hospitaliers and a few female hospitaliers. Father Balette, who knew father Burosse as they were both missionaries of the Immaculate Conception, described his actions to the Hospitalité: «Through his prudence, his discretion, his tact, his kind courtesy, even more through his sincere humbleness which would make him forget himself in order to only think of others, and finally through his great goodness, he was able to manage sensitive issues, foresee damages, appease conflicts

A difficult period


and maintain concordance and harmony. Nobody contributed more than him to making every member of the Hospitalité experience a true and distinctive camaraderie… He knew them all and always had a kind word for each of them which would touch each of their hearts».

From 22nd to 26th July 1914, the International Eucharistic Congress presided over by cardinal Granito Pignatelli of Belmonte, legate to the Pope, took place in Lourdes for the 2nd time in 15 years. The HNDL was particularly implicated in its organisation. The proof lies in the list of members of the “Eucharistic Congress’s local committee” which reveals the presence of Emilie Christophe (vice presi-dent), count Etienne de Beauchamp (secretary general), father Balette (editor of the Annals and director of the HNDL), de Boysson, president of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Salut, and five other hospitaliers, including the secretary general Emilie Boulet, were also present.

The HNDL was put under the direction of Christophe, de Beauchamp and Mérillon, chief of the brancardiers (porters). It was not an easy task for the HNDL, mainly due to the crowds of faithful. The final procession took place in the streets of the Marian town, among a crowd of over 100,000 people. The last blessing was pronounced from an elevated repository over the great door of the Rosary. Despite the difficulties, all went without incident. De Beauchamp’s zeal during the preparations and during the congress was recognised by pope Pius X who conferred him the title of Commander of the Order of Saint Gregory.This was also joined by important support for the Hospitaliers’ work. We can quote cardinal Andrieu for example, Bishop of Bordeaux, who compared them to the order of military hospitaliers who assist the pilgrims in the Holy Land. One of his warm wishes was «under the protection of the Virgin, they learn to pray, to devote themselves, to obey». And «that the Eucharist be the aliment of their charity!».

The Eucharistic Congress ended with more and more persistent noise concerning the outbreak of a war. The calls for peace during the encounter unfortunately had no effect on the leaders in European and international politics, who were getting ready for a merciless battle between the states of the Triple Alliance and the Allies. The hostilities began on 3rd August. No region was spared by the First World War. Lourdes’s vicinity to the Pyrenees made it a very probable target.

September 1914 marked the beginning of a very painful period for the HNDL. A great number of people close to the association fell on the field of honour. The first victim was captain Jean de Montesquieu, count de Beauchamp’s brother-

The Asile Notre dame during the First World War, 1914 - 1918 (supplement Hospital 32)

Father Balette, director of the Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes from 1914 until 1943


in-law. The list of disappeared hospitaliers, men and women, got longer and longer: Paule Gourmy de Morvan, the viscount of Roussy, Julien Davignon, Gamblon, the abbot of Espinpis, Gustave Boissarie, Emmanuel Bally, Emmanuel de Barbarin…

It is easy to imagine the complexity of the situation in the Ma-rian town. The number of pilgrims and sick making the trip was rapidly decreasing. Work for the hospitaliers and volun-teers needed to be adapted to an emergency situation though it didn’t cease. With insufficient material means, they had to take care of the faithful who were present and in addition offer assistance to the wounded.

Monsignor Shoepfer made first-aid posts available, structures such as the Asile Notre Dame shelter and the pilgrims’ shelters which were the temporary hospital n° 32 with a capacity of 500 beds. A thousand other beds were given to various ho-spitals and religious establishments in Lourdes, in particular the Notre Dame des Douleurs hospital. The sick and wounded were treated by religious people and voluntary nurses, who were mostly recruited in Lourdes. The temporary hospital n° 32 would close its doors on 12th February, 1919 after having welcomed and treated over 8,000 wounded.The financial side was taken care of by Christophe, assisted by Beauchamp and Boulet.

During the whole of the war, the refugees from northern and eastern France came to Lourdes and the region.

They also came from Belgium. The “Foyer du Soldat Belge” was created to welcome the Belgian military during their mis-sions who couldn’t rejoin their family due to the war and the invasion of their country.

The war caused the movement of pilgrims to end, due to the lack of means of transport. Only some groups from the region arrived in Lourdes. Despite everything, the fathers of the Assumption succeed in organising the National Pilgrimage but without the participation of the sick or the HNDL. It was only in 1919 that the sick started returning to Lourdes, among which were approximately fifty wounded soldiers, who were hospitalised at the Asile Notre Dame. The hospitaliers then went back to their original service under the direction of Christophe and de Beauchamp. Indeed, on 20th August 1919, the HNDL met for the first time since the beginning of the war. Monsignor Schoepfer was set on receiving eight more permanent members. He took the opportunity to thank the hospitaliers for their devotion to the hospitals of Lourdes and for their courage towards the enemy. He expressed his wish to begin welcoming the sick once again. At the beginning of October, father Luquet, a Dominican, succeeded in bringing over a hundred sick people during the pilgrimage from the Rosaire de Toulouse (Rosary of Toulouse). The First World War ended after having brought death and destruction to all of Europe. The Assumptionist fathers decided to organise a new movement of faith, «a pilgrimage of grace for the land army and the navy». From 11th to 13th November 1919, more than 200,000 pilgrims participated, most of them

«The restoration of France requires awareness

on behalf of the population, a moral will for

effort, a return to the strong disciplines of virtue

and work, a return to the principle of authority

which is not imposed from the outside, but

which is cordially accepted and desired».

Lourdes, Capital of PeaceOn 23rd, August 1942, the Bishop

of Lourdes, monsignor Choquet,

calls out to the world at war

1935, closure of the Jubilee of the Redemption by cardinal Pacelli, Secretary of State and Papal Legate


soldiers returned from the war coming to «thank the Virgin for having brought them back to their families and for having made France victorious». On this occasion, the first stone of the «monument of national gratitude» was laid down and blessed, on the left of the Esplanade, opposite the Asile Notre Dame. This monument would be called “Monument de la Paix” (Peace Monument).

During 1920 and mostly 1921, the pilgrims progressive started to return. Many soldiers vowed to go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes if they returned from the war safe and sound. Most of the dioceses organised votive pil-grimages. Moreover, the improvement of transport enabled the National Pilgrimage to bring 400 sick people in 1920 and 600 in 1921. Of course, the sick were welcomed by the hospitaliers who had gone back to their service.At the same time, the Medical Bureau re-opened its doors. Le Bec succeeded Boissarie as president of the Bureau des Constatations and Marchand was named vice president. They both had perfect knowledge of the healings in Lourdes having worked with Boissarie for several years.

In 1920, Christophe left Lourdes and moved to Paris with his wife in order to follow his four children’s education more closely. He went to the HNDL during the main pilgrimages of that year. However, an illness he had had for a while got the better of him. He died on 9th February 1922, after having dedicated most of his life to the service of Notre Dame de Lourdes and to the sick.The Hospitalité des Dames was also moved by the loss of two members who had been among the first ones involved with the

WHEN AND WHAT

1915 WORLDLusitania, the transatlantic liner is sunk by a German submarine

1917 RUSSIABeginning of the Bolshevik Revolution led by Lenin

1918 UNITED STATESBeginning of Prohibition forbidding the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages

1919 ITALYAfter the end of the Great War, there is talk of a “mutilated victory”. Gabriele d’Annunzio leads the exploits from Fiume

1921 ITALYMussolini inaugurates the twenty years of Fascism

1921 FRANCEParis, the first antenna for daily radio broadcasts is installed on the Eiffel Tower. It is the first in Europe

1926 WORLDFleming discovers the first antibiotic, Penicillin

1927 FRANCEPilots Costes and Le Brix accomplish the first French transatlantic flight, Paris - Buenos Aires

1929 UNITED STATESBeginning of the Great Depression

1930 WORLDThe astronomer Tornbaugh discovers Pluto

1933 GERMANYHitler gains absolute power

1938 WORLDOutbreak of the Second World War

Seated in the carriage,to the left of cardinal,

prefect Vié.Near the car

monsignor Gerlier



brotherhood in 1886: the baroness of Malet, Vice President of the HNDL since 1903 and the vice countess of Pouy, first female president of the Hospitalité des Dames. During Christophe’s presidency, the Ladies of the Baths were under the leadership of Mrs. de Werbier. Of course, their activities had suffered a considerable slowdown during the Great War.

From 1922, a new era began for the HNDL, under the presidency of count Etienne de Beauchamp; a long path which ended in 1957 and marked one of the longest presidencies of the history of the HNDL.On 13th February, just a few days after the Christophe’s death, monsignor Schoepfer named the new president of the HNDL: Etienne de Beauchamp. He came to Lourdes as a porter in 1881, became a member of the HNDL on 24th September 1885 and vice president in August 1907. Having lost most of his fa-mily, he moved to Lourdes permanently in 1907. From then on, his life and the life of the Hospitalité were as one.On the same date Armand Mérillon was designated vice president. He came from a very honourable family of Ossun. He regularly went to Lourdes and to the HNDL where he was consecrated on 23rd August 1886. The collaboration with Etienne de Beauchamp was quite brief as he died on 5th December 1923. Georges Boutry replaced him, a hospitalier since 1905 and member of the council.

In December 1926, a painful event affected the Hospitalité: the right-wing Action Française movement was condemned by pope Pius XI, promulgated by an ordinance of the Cardinals and Archbishops of France (Cardinaux et Archevêques de France) on 7th March, 1928, which meant that those who refused to submit would be «excluded from all pious or religious associations».It was a dramatic event for some families and also for the charity. With a spirit of submission to the Pope, the assembly of the HNDL courageously made the following note appear, dated from 14th May, 1928 and signed by the president: «The assembly of the HNDL, entirely submitted to the Sovereign Pontiff and his directives concerning the Action Française, asks the hospitaliers, the Lady Hospitaliers, the auxiliaries and the volunteers who don’t have the same feelings to refrain from serving the Hospitalité».

The following year, on 24th August, monsignor Schoepfer died in Lourdes after having directed the diocese for 27 years and having contributed to the development of the Marian worship in Lourdes. He was immediately replaced by his coadjutor, monsignor Alexandre Poirier. Despite the short duration of his episcopate (monsignor Poirier died in 1928), he accomplished a very important act for the development of the HNDL. On re-

quest, pope Pius XI raised the HNDL confraternity to the rank of archconfraternity on 20th March 1928. Far from being a simple honouring title, the HNDL could from then on have affiliations with other bodies linked to the charitable work of Lourdes. Tho-se concerned essentially were hospitalities of several dioceses of France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, England and Switzerland. Mo-reover, the integration of the nurses from the Notre Dame des Douleurs hospital and the Asile Notre Dame into the HNDL was made possible. In fact, the integration would be very slow and would only be completed with the signing of the Charter on 8th September, 1978.

On 14th May 1929, monsignor Gerlier became Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. During the eight years of his episcopate, he took advantage on many occasions to organise large ceremonies in the Sanctuary which would attract considerable crowds. The HNDL was systematically implicated in the organisation of each event. The first was the Marian Congress from 24th to 27th July 1930, under the presidency of Cardinal Verder, Bishop of Paris and the Pope’s legate, on the theme of the Immaculate Conception. Approximately 40,000 delegates participated. De Beauchamp was chosen as vice president of the local organisation committee and was in charge of the preparation of the congress.

1933 was marked by the 75th anniversary of the apparitions. Awaited by numerous worshipers, that 8th December, Bernadette was canonised in Saint-Peter’s Basilica in Rome during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, in presence of de Beauchamp and many members of the Hospitalité. The next year, three days of celebrations were organised on 14th, 15th and 16th July 1934, during which Mass was sung in four voices in dedication to the new Saint. The celebrations of the jubilee came to an end. On this occasion, cardinal Pacelli was

The legate during his speech



Cardinal Pacelli at papal throne

named Pontiff Legate and the presence of the Pope’s Secretary of State made these ceremonies even more solemn and great with the presence of 5 cardinals, 12 archbishops, 50 bishops, 3,000 priests or religious workers and 250,000 pilgrims, an unprecedented crowd.

In 1935, the HNDL celebrated its 50th anniversary. The golden jubilee was solemnised on 25th August by a mass which monsignor Gerlier said in the Grotto followed by lunch with cardinal Liénard and which brought together 250 participants. During that year, there was a great number of hospitaliers who were going to serve in Lourdes: 835 permanent members, 450 auxiliary members, and 5,570 voluntary porters.

In August 1937, monsignor Gerlier was called to the archdiocese of Lyon. A month later, Mrs. de Werbier resigned after 50 years of working at the Hospitalité and 34 years of presidency. The baroness Berthemy, already a member of the Assembly, succeeded her.In October, a flood of the Gave caused much damage to the Grotto, to the offices of the Hospitalité, to the offices of the Baths and to the “Asile”. The materials had deteriorated and part of the archives of the Baths was destroyed. In addition to this, in 1939 the Second World War began. For Lourdes, a new greatly difficult phase was lingering at the horizon. The pilgrims began to leave once more for a new emergency, whilst at the same time, cardinal Pacelli was elected Pope under the name of Pius XII. Like during the First World War, the structures for receiving the pilgrims were transformed into hospitals to treat the wounded, especially the French, Ger-man and Moroccan military.

The pilgrimages in Lourdes ceased once again until 1945. But the HNDL didn’t remain inactive during that period, mostly

thanks to the work of de Beauchamp. His first worry was to support the morale of the members of the Association, and eve-ry month he sent each person who could receive them, com-forting and encouraging messages. He organised a welcoming committee for the refugees from Belgium, from northern and eastern France. He took care of the feeding, clothing and di-stribution of money. He dedicated himself to children with the help of the Red Cross. During those difficult years, Lourdes became one of the world’s centres of prayer for peace, where the new bishop, monsignor Choquet, worked to transform the town into «a sacred mountain of our country, where God reve-als himself to show us his precious message».

Our voyage into the inter-war years comes to an end. It was a long road full of unexpected events which were often difficult to apprehend but which were always overcome. During the Second World War, important figures for HNDL were again lost: Emilie Boulet in 1939, monsignor Da Costa in 1941, Mrs. de Werbier and father Balette. De Beauchamp paid his respects to him by saying: «He was good, he had a very sure judgment and he has greatly contributed to the development of the diocesan charities which I had created with him».Out of the thousand and one difficulties encountered and over-come during all those years, the HNDL showed it was capable of lasting half a century without losing its unity, whilst adap-ting its mission to the evolution of the world and by keeping its faithfulness to the message that Mary gave to Bernadette, a human and spiritual experience which brings much hope to world consciousness.


P O S T- W A R P E R I O D

The post-war period was marked by a

great increase in the Hospitalité’s activities.

The number of sick arriving in Lourdes increased and the

welcoming facilities were being improved.

Also, the jubilee of the apparitions was being

prepared. Thus, there was a return to the former

rhythm for the association and its members

Due to world conflicts, the first half of the 20th century was particularly difficult for the association. It was not until 1946 that the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes

began to resume its usual duties. Its president, count Etienne de Beauchamp, got repaired and put into working order all the equipment necessary to service the sick. At the end of the year, he invited all the hospitaliers by letter underlining that in 1946 no less than a million pilgrims arrived in Lourdes and that even more were expected for 1947. He ended his letter with these words: «We must not forget that we are the privileged servitors of Our Lady of Lourdes which gives us the obligation to be an example in our private life and in our public life».

In February, 1947 monsignor Pierre-Marie Théas became Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes and made himself noticed immediately, by making a very courageous decision in November of that same year; to retain responsibility for the Sanctuary of Lourdes and to continue leaving the fathers of the diocese in charge of the financial administration and the organisation of the pilgrims. At the same time, monsignor Théas called the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception back to Lourdes, who had to leave the Sanctuary in 1903, and he gave them the spiritual and pastoral responsibility of the pilgrimages.1947 was a year marked by the two of the Hospitalité’s jubilees: 27th September was the count de Beauchamp’s 60th anniversary as member of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes and his 25th year as president. The 26th December was the superior of Saint-Frai, mother Saint-Etienne’s 90th birthday and her 40th year as superior member; a life of dedication at the service of the sick and the Hospitalité.

Although 1948 was a normal year in terms of pilgrimages, it was a very important year for the innovations which are realised; beginning with the inauguration of Ossun Airport

Towards the centenaryof the apparitions



Procession of the Blessed Sacrament with the celebrant under the dais



which opened the way for the pilgrims and the sick to fly to Lourdes. A regular line was then created between Lourdes and Brussels-Amsterdam (in that first year alone, the pilgrims and the sick that flew into Lourdes were no less than 1,441). Then, the Chamber of Commerce of Tarbes, which was in charge of the airport, carried out much maintenance work to improve the runways, thus enabling bigger planes to fly to Lourdes. The Hospitalité immediately took care of this new service. Another very important day of that year was 8th July, when for the first time one of the stages of the Tour de France departed from the Grotto of Massabielle. On 24th July, the first organised American pilgrimage visited Lourdes: 550 people sailed from Boston.

In preparation of the centenary of the apparitions, monsignor Théas planed to move the Baths to increase their number and to facilitate access to the Grotto. This entailed doing works that had never been done before. During the digging and excavation works which went down two metres under the Grotto, the spring was found, the area from which the water flows out and then runs through the rocks to the Baths. A basin was built to gather the water and to channel this “Holy Water”. Thanks to the glass plaque over the spring, the pilgrims who go into the Grotto can see the water discovered by Bernadette in 1858. The restoration works of the Grotto and Baths ended at the end of the year, but the zone was inaugurated on 3rd February 1949.For the Hospitalité, the 1950’s began with the inauguration of

the Abri Saint-Michel hostel, a building with a capacity of 100 beds and 140 covers, destined mainly to the young members of the Hospitalité with insufficient income. 1st November, 1950, was a big day for the glory of the Virgin Mary: pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption on Saint Peter’s Square in Rome. Whilst on 21st November 1951, the count de Beauchamp was knighted with Legion of Honour (Légion d’Honneur) with the title of “General President of the Hospitality of Lourdes”. The motive for this nomination quotes the “66 years of civil and military service”, given that the count became a member of the confraternity back in 1885, the date of the foundation of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes. It was thus a homage paid to the Association as well as a recognition of the president’s services during two world wars to the injured who were treated at the shelter and for those on leave who were welcomed at the hostel on Rue du Bourg Street. The ceremony took place on 6th May, 1952: general Lafon, in uniform, pinned the Cross of the Legion of Honour on the chest of the president who was proudly wearing the silver medal of the Hospitalité and the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great.

1952 was marked by an important decision: the construction of the two bridges over the Gave River. Thus the prairie in front of the Grotto could be used by the pilgrims and by the sick and for various activities and ceremonies. A few years later, the Accueil Sainte Bernadette and the church dedicated to the visionary of Massabielle were built as well as the new Accueil

1945 GERMANYLiberation of the Auschwitz, Hitler’s suicide, capitulation of Germany

1945 ITALYExecution of Mussolini

1945 FRANCEDe Gaulle becomes head of the government

1945 JAPANAtomic bombs explode over Hiroshima and Nagasaki

1946 FRANCEDebates and constitutional votes create the 4th Republic

1947 UNITED STATESCIA is established

1948 WORLDThe U.N. adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1953 USSRStalin dies, end of the Stalinian terror

1957 EUROPETreaty of Rome: the Six organise the EEC and the EAC or Euratom a customs union, leading to a common market

WHEN AND WHAT



Sainte Bernadette in 1977. On 9th September, count de Beauchamp awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honour to Mother Marie-Antoinette Gueydier, superior at the Asile Notre Dame, who would be at its service for more than 40 years. Both Marie Antoinette and count de Beauchamp were able to maintain the spirit of the founders alive in each member of the Hospitalité thanks to their authority, which was carried out intelligently and tactfully, a spirit which proved rigorous as regards the service, the behaviour and the warm kindness to the sick.

1954 was a “Marian Year” as it led to the centenary of the dogmatic definition of the Immaculate Conception. It was announced on 8th December with the encyclical of pope Pius XII underlining the privileged ties between Rome, where the dogma was defined, and Lourdes, where Mary confirmed it in the apparitions. From 8th December, 1953, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the opening of the Marian Year were held in Lourdes in very particular spirit. The celebrations of 11th February, 1954 were presided over by cardinal Salige, Bishop of Toulouse. In the evening, there was a torch-lit procession from the parish church of the Sanctuary, the Mayor participated, Antoine Béguère, as well as several town councillors.

On 25th March, Mass was said by cardinal Feltin, Bishop of Paris and sung by Benedictine monks from Tourny. The pilgrimage of the Ligue Feminin de l’Action Catholique gave a bell with the inscription “For all the women of France”. The Marian Year ended with the feast of the Immaculate Conception, under the presidency of cardinal Léger, Bishop of Montréal and Papal Legate. 1955 was the 70th anniversary of

The new Baths



the Hospitalité, celebrated on 28th January. The consecration of the first seven Hospitaliers was also celebrated on 19th August as well as count de Beauchamp’s silver medal on 24th September. Time had flown very fast for the historic president of the Hospitalité who was nearly 100. Everyone hoped to be able to celebrate his birthday in 1958 at the same time as the apparitions, unfortunately however, after a very short illness, count Etienne de Beauchamp passed away on 21st August, 1957. It was a very difficult and particularly painful moment for the large family of the Hospitalité and its numerous friends. Everybody who went to Lourdes during those years had a lot of admiration, esteem and affection for de Beauchamp. The funeral was held in the Rosary Basilica. Monsignor Théas said Mass and was accompanied by five bishops and priests, numerous representatives of the diocese, of the Sanctuaries of Lourdes and of various charities, the prefect of the Haute-Pyrenees department, the Mayor of Lourdes and the delegation of the town council. At the end of the Mass, monsignor Théas gave the funeral oration: «The first knight of Our Lady of Lourdes, the prince of the porters, the most representative figure of our sanctuary and benefactor of its insignia, a privileged witness of Lourdes’s long past, President of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes, Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Gregory, Knight of the Legion of Honour, Knight of the Order of Leopold, Officer of the Order of the Crown of Belgium».During the 35 years under his presidency, the count was the tireless animator of the Association. He was tied to it to such a point that he identified himself with it. He was witness and guarantor of the tradition, a prestigious servitor of Our Lady and defendant of the Domain, and he held

the flag high even during the more difficult years of the conflict. During the Second World War, he welcomed refugees and accommodated those on leave. A life dedicated to “serving” with intelligence, devotion and Christian convictions.At the end of his address during count de Beauchamp’s funeral, monsignor Théas announced the name of the successor: Goslen de la Poëze, born in 1892, he was in the 1914-1918 war, for which he was awarded the Croix de Guerre et la Légion d’Honneur (Cross of War of the legion of Honour) for his conduct. He first became member of the Hospitalité was in 1927, he was consecrated in 1929. The task he was presented with was by no means an easy one. He was asked to take the reigns of the

association in the middle of the pilgrimage season and to take care of the centenary of the apparitions. But de la Poëze was fully aware of the workings and the spirit of the Hospitalité and was well prepared to continue the count’s work.For monsignor Théas, 1958, the centenary of the apparitions, was to be a «Marian Pentecost and an abundant profusion of the Holy Spirit», but also, thanks to the number of pilgrims and to the vivacity of the ceremonies, one of the peaks in the history of the Sanctuary of Lourdes. Pope Pius XII gave great importance to the jubilee, not only for the pilgrims going to Lourdes, but also for the Catholic Church in general. He took advantage of the situation to incite the faithful to



6th May, 1952 - The count de Beauchamp’s Legionof Honour, with general Lafon to his right

de Beauchamp’s Legionof Honour. Monsignor Théas’s

speech: to his left cardinal Liénard and Monsignor Méricq



inner conversion, the main grace of the pilgrimage. During that whole year, Pius XII showed his union with the pilgrims of Lourdes with six letters and various radio messages. However, as one can imagine, the preparations for the centenary had began much earlier… Lourdes had been at work for three years in order to carry out the changes in the Grotto which, restored to its original splendour, became accessible to more pilgrims. Works began on what would be the Basilica of Saint Pius X, and the creation of a scout camp and the Cité Secours, an assistance village. The H.Q. of the Scouts of France was interested in Lourdes and gradually, one of the commissioners succeeded in bringing the white-scarved “Foulard Blanc” troop closer to the Hospitaliers of Our Lady. Thus, these youths would later be admitted into all the Association’s services and would regularly help serve the sick arriving in Lourdes. The Cité Saint-Pierre, the assistance village, is a reception centre destined to those who want to go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes but who don’t have the financial means to stay in the town’s hotels. It is open to everyone, independent of nationality, age, origin, profession and religious belief. 10,000 pilgrims are welcomed there each year from 20 different countries.

The jubilee year opened with the preparations for the Easter Triduum. 11th February is remembered thanks to the ceremonies presided over by cardinal Gerlier, which Pius XII participated in with a radio message. A series of big celebrations followed, such as 25th March, the Feast of the Annunciation, or 16th July, the anniversary of the last apparition. The Feast of the Assumption, the Mariological congress from 10th to 13th September followed by another Marian congress from 13th to 17th and finally, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8th December. At the end of the year, there was an estimate of the number of people who had come to Lourdes during those last 12 months and it was concluded that there were more than 5 million. After the centenary year, the

Sanctuary regained cruising speed. It was de la Poëze who pointed it out in a circular in 1960. As well as expressing his best wishes to the members of the Hospitality, he underlined the fact that in 1959, even if there were less than during the jubilee, the total number of pilgrims was still higher than those who visited Lourdes in 1957. This meant that the crowds were constantly increasing and it was necessary to develop the welcoming capacities of the Hospitalité as well as the facilities to welcome the Hospitaliers and the porters; thus their expenses would be reduced to a minimum, which was a serious problem especially for the young.Thus, the president decided to develop the Abri Saint Michel hostel, which had been set up by his predecessor, in order to welcome over a hundred more people. The new works created another four dormitories with 225 more beds and a large refectory for up to 300 people.

Procession of the Holy Sacrament and “Parce domine” chant with open arms

A group of hospitalier around Beauchamp and de la Poëze. On his left, de Montecler. On Beauchamp’s right, Georges Boutry and Janson (1957 Council)



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The association was changing its

appearance. During those intense years

a series of presidents put into place a new organisational plan.

Two words define and regroup this process: renewal

and reconciliation

After the centenary of the apparitions, the Hospitalité was getting ready

to celebrate its first century

For the Hospitalité, the 60’s began with the historic inaugural and the blessing of the new Abri Saint Michel (12th August, 1961). It was the first of a series of events which in ten

years would greatly change and modernise the premises, the organisation and the function of the association. 1962 was marked by the centenary of Monseigneur Laurence’s pastoral letter confirming solemnly the authenticity of the apparitions of Lourdes. Pope John XXIII died on 3rd June, 1963, he was succeeded by Cardinal Montini, Archbishop of Milan, who was very devoted to the Virgin of Lourdes and who had already been on a pilgrimage to the Marian town on various occasions: he took the name Paul VI. The first Anglican pilgrimage arrived in Lourdes on 23rd August, conducted by monsignor Westall which assembled over 60 worshipers and a ten pastors. With the increasing number of pilgrims during those years, air traffic also increased enormously, to the point that the number of passengers reached 98,111 in one year. For this reason, the runway was extended to 2,400 metres, after which work took place enlarge and modernise the whole airport. The Chamber of Commerce of Tarbes, announced that for the end of 1964, there would be a terminal for the sick, equipped with 30 beds and where there would be a special welcoming service and transport with specific porter teams and nurses.

Once again in 1964, the Grotto’s review published the report of an enquiry titled: “Understanding and respect of the sick” (“Compréhension et respect des malades”), carried out by questioning numerous sick people participating in the pilgrimage. It brought to light some complaints directed at priests and hospitaliers: the tactlessness of the preachers who rendered suffering sacred, ceremonies and prayers which lasted too long, the stern tone of some porters who seemed to give orders and didn’t realise they were speaking to people who were suffering, the desire for more community spirit between


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the sick and those in good health who participated in the pilgrimage, the behaviour of those who were around the sick who, through their tactlessness, often made suffering even greater.

Thus the renovation works at the Hospitalité no longer only concerned the structures of the organisation, but also the way of doing things.

Dear brothers and sisters of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes, You celebrate the centenary of your confraternity by coming to Rome at the tomb of Peter. Your approach is a sign of ecclesial communion which I am happy to underline today in welcoming you, with your president and Henry Donze, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, whom I thank for his words. (...) The presence of the sick has generated around the Shrines and pilgrimages, an intense movement of brotherhood and mutual support to accompany them. Many of those who have served them have become attached to this task and have continued doing it from year to year. They have helped with many aspects concerning animating the pilgrimages, both spiritually and practically. So was born your confraternity in Lourdes, which was soon to become associated to confraternities linked to the countless regular pilgrimages from Europe and around the world. When I consider what the Hospitalité of Lourdes represents, I am struck by the evangelical sense of what it accomplishes. It is an if we are discovering a long series of answers to the words of the Mother of Jesus: “Do whatever he tells you.” To serve the sick is to do what the Lord expects of us. During a pilgrimage, once one has experienced the imitation of the Lord as a Good Samaritan, as he portrayed in the Gospel, we really feel that it can’t just be an isolated

experience of one day. Hospitaliers return year after year. They actually extend their action into their everyday communities. (...) In Lourdes, as elsewhere, the Hospitalier knows well that the brotherly assistance provided to those who endure so much suffering is both spiritual aid and an experience of ecclesial community. (...). I just wanted to highlight the richness of your commitment. When members of the Hospitalité pronounce their act of consecration, they pray to the Immaculate Virgin, in docility to the Holy Spirit and the fervour of faith, they ask her for mercy to work with her for the “comfort of the sick, reconciliation of man to the unity of the Church and world peace“.(...) With you, I would like to give thanks for what has been achieved in this spirit in a century of the life of your confraternity, which has spread to many places; and I want you to pray to the Mother of the Lord, she might help you pursue your action more intensely and, in particular, that she might help many young people to hear the evangelical call of love in all its dimensions. This testimony should help show the new face of the Church and to make you open yourselves to the various pastoral concerns of the Church. (...) From the bottom of my heart, I pray God to bless you and all members of the Hospitalité de Lourdes and all those you serve in God’s name.

John Paul II’s welcoming speech for the centenary

of Hospitalité - audince from 18th march 1985

From left to right, monsignor Henri donze, mister Tronchet and father Joseph Bordes, rector of the Sanctuaries


T H E F I R S T 1 0 0 Y E A R S – 1 9 6 0 - 1 9 8 5

During those years, work was pursued and executed at the heart of the association. In 1965, 75 rooms for the hospitaliers were built above the “Salle Bernadette” to replace those that were above the pilgrims’ shelter which would from then on be used as conference rooms which were being asked for more and more by the directors of the pilgrimage. Two bridges over the Gave were also built so that the meadow in front of the Grotto would be more functional and accessible. On 25th March, 1966, the inauguration day of the two bridges, the place of pilgrimage finally acquired space and practicality. Just in time, if one can say that, for the human wave which was to arrive in Lourdes from 10th to 12th September, 1966, for the pilgrimage of the ex-deported and the prisoners which united 100,000 people from all over the world. 1966 ended with an important pilgrimage to Rome during which the president, vice president, members of the Council and some hospitaliers from the Abri Notre Dame were received at the pope’s audience with some members of

Unitalsi in the small throne room. The Holy Father delivered a special message to them and before blessing them gave homage to the Hospitalité with these words: «Over the years, this benevolent institution which has given so much in terms of fervour and generosity has profoundly helped the thousands of sick people who have crossed its path».

From 1965, the hospitaliers and also the pilgrims arriving in Lourdes were getting younger and younger. We just have to remember that in 1967, the French National Pilgrimage praised the young hospitaliers of Notre Dame de Salut, a team of youths aged between 14 and 18 years of age. Also in 1967, in July, a new service was founded, “The Day Pilgrimage” which consisted in regrouping tourists and isolated pilgrims and to help them with their spiritual path. Likewise, December was the inauguration of the “Bernadettes” centre, completely renovated

With monsignor Viscaro, rector of the Sanctuaries and director of the Hospitalité, right de Valicourt, Janson, Imbert; left de la Poëze, Lanfry, de Bellisal


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after a fire nearly totally destroyed it. In 1969, the Hospitalité suffered an unexpected loss: Geroges Lanfry, member of the Council and ex-president of the Cadets Normands from 1913 to 1935 (you can read later the excellent description he gave of the Hospitalier). After the mourning of that year, the Hospitalité was finally able to celebrate a happy event: the 40th year of the Silver Medal and the 13th year of the count de la Poëze’s presidency.

1970 began with an important change for the Hospitalité and for Lourdes: monsignor Théas resigned as Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. He was replaced by the Bishop of Tulle, monsignor Henri Donze. The name Pierre-Marie Théas will forever be engraved in the memories and tied to the Sanctuary of Lourdes, not only for his tenacity to his faith which enabled, despite the numerous obstacles, the construction of the Basilica of Saint Pius X, but also for his role as tireless apostle of Mary. Moreover, May was the inauguration of the Lourdes train station, the new

facilities destined to facilitate the arrival and departure of the sick: two new platforms which could receive nineteen wagons, and a renovated waiting hall. Also, during those months, the Asile Notre Dame was restructured and these modifications were taken advantage of to change the name to Accueil Notre Dame. Another innovation facilitated the transportation of the sick to the Basilica of Saint Pius X: the creation of a new direct passage from the Accueil to the Basilica which crossed the whole of the Esplanade.

Thus, some of the problems revealed by the report made by the enquiry of the Grotto’s review in 1964 were resolved, but there were still some unsolved matters: the times which were not always respected, the active participation of the sick in the pilgrimages, their material and spiritual needs, their contact with the hospitaliers. There were also deontological problems to be solved regarding the water at the Grotto and at the Baths.

1961 WORLD21st April. Outbreak of an international crisis concerning Cuba, the USSR and the United States which risks triggering off a world war

1961 GERMANYConstruction of the Berlin Wall separating the west of the city, under the control of the Allies, from the east side under Soviet rule. It marks the beginning of the Cold War between the USA and USSR

1963 WORLDPope John XIII dies on 3rd June, a few months after having published the encyclical “Pacem in Terris”. His successor is elected on 21st June; Giovanni Battista Montini, Pope Paul VI

1963 WORLD22nd November, Dallas Texas, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States is assassinated

1969 WORLDThree Nasa astronauts, under the command of Neil Armstrong on the Apollo 11 lunar mission, are the first to set foot on the moon. An event which was televised and seen live all around the world

1978 ITALY16th March, the Brigade Rouge kidnap Aldo Moro, President of the Christian Democracy, who is killed on 9th May

1979 WORLDPope Paul VI dies. He is replaced by Pope Luciani under the name John Paul I, who dies thirthy days after his election. His successor was Karol Wojtyla, the first Polish Supreme Pontiff in the history of the Church and the first foreigner for 455 years

1981 WORLDPope John Paul II is gravely injured during an assassination attempt at Saint-Peter’s square. The attack was perpetrated by the Turk Ali Agca

WHEN AND WHAT

Extract from a letter from Monseigneur Donze on the Mission of the hospitalier, here we find out what must be the spirit of the Hospitalité and in what perspective must the sick in Lourdes live

«Whether before, during or after the pilgrimage, through the service of your brothers, you are at the service of Christ Himself. The Gospel is very categorical about that: When did we see you sick and go to visit you?… “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (see Mat. 25; 39-40). This service presupposes discretion on your behalf as well as selflessness, and more today than ever, the sick wants to be considered as someone in their own right who can’t be treated like someone aided, a mere object of charity. One who goes towards the other always risks going full handed, with the illusion of superiority, privilege, with their head high. What the sick expect of you is the free, friendly presence, a friendship which is equal with no boundaries. Seeing Christ in the sick, makes us want to facilitate their active participation in the pilgrimage with all our heart. Your mission is to serve them to help them, not only to get around but to get together under the eyes of the Virgin to listen to her Message and to brighten up their lives.(…) Some works are being planned to facilitate you charity work in Lourdes. May Our Lady help us carry this out with success and may she bless your next pilgrimage!».

Letter taken from

n° 69 of the bulletin of

the Hospitality of Nancy


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Following the Pastoral Council, the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes encouraged its associates to rediscover the spirit of the founders and to not make any mistakes in the way they approached the sick. They insisted in particular on the direction to be taken in order to improve the training for the porters and nurses and to facilitate sick people’s participation in the pilgrimages. They decided to provide leaders, priests or lay people, a prayer guide and to publish a report on the “Anointing

of the Sick”. A personal and free approach to faith would be possible from then on, even if the preparation of the pilgrimage would take up a lot of space in the diocese as well as in Lourdes. It was precisely with this in mind that the Hospitalité and the Sanctuary created new instruments to encourage the exchange of information for all those who were going to Lourdes. To begin there was a press office in the Sanctuary, entrusted to father Ramond, ex-director of the review “Sanctuaire et Pèlerinages” (Sanctuary and Pilgrimages). Moreover, the press was given a report in form of a publication supplement “Recherches de Lourdes” (Research from Lourdes) which in reality served as a link with the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes. Father Henri Joulia, chaplain of the Hospitalité was given the taste of writing of the report. In the first edition, president de la Poëze explained that the supplement was a way to get closer to the hospitaliers, but would also bring support and spiritual comfort.

This publication was extremely well received, to the extent that it illustrated the Hospitalité’s wish for unification, the openness the problems of the young, the wish to renew the association. On 16th and 07th March, 1974, the Congress of Leaders of Diocesan and National Hospitalities met in Lourdes. The first day was led by father Turquet, delegate for the Pastoral de la Santé for the Paris region, on the theme: “How to help the sick create good ties between faith and their life?” On the second day, it was monsignor Fauchet, Bishop of Troyes, who intervened on the theme: “How de we live these ties between faith and life”. The congress united 470 people of which 410 were representatives from different Hospitalities. These two days will always be remembered as the moment when a new mission was defined for the hospitaliers at the heart of the Church: the discovery of a real charisma, thanks to which one wants to share ones own life with the sick.

1974 remains an important year for the Hospitalité, all the more so that it was at the end of the year that president de la Poëze resigned. This new unexpected event caused a feeling of discomfort and worry to the Hospitalité. Count de la Poëze, successor to the so beloved Count de Beauchamp, imposed himself through his great knowledge of each service at the Hospitalité, he was able to win each one over thanks to his humbleness, his availability, his sense of service, he gave example of attachment to the Church and to the Holy See and devotion to the Holy Virgin. Under his presidency, the number of hospitaliers increased considerably until it was necessary to build more structures to accommodate all the volunteers. Monsignor Donze announced this resignation in 1975 and after having named monsignor de la Poëze as honorary president, he designated Edouard Imbert, president of the Hospitalité de Marseille and member of the Council, as his successor.


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During the ten years which preceded the centenary of the Hospitalité, there was a succession of four presidents: Edouard Imbert who renewed the association, “serving humbly” until 1978; Jean-Marie Landouzy who offered an efficient collaboration, until 1982, Jean Toso who succeeded him only for a year, and then, he who would lead the Hospitalité until the centenary and beyond, François Guilbaud.

Edward Imbert’s presidency was marked by renewal and reconciliation. Right from the beginning of his mandate, he decided to redefine six key issues: the primary duty of the hospitalier is to serve; to order first means to serve; humbleness and availability are two essential qualities the hospitalier must have, the medal is not a reward and finally, the hospitalier is not to be recognised by their stripes but by their rosary. For president Imbert, it was necessary to identify with the spirit of the Gospel and that of the council to recover the image of a smiling and genuine charity. In 1974, father Joulia, whilst giving his New Year message to the members of Hospitalité, gave importance to two words which would have a special meaning for the association and its members: reconciliation and renewal. However, it would take five years to draft a charter of the Hospitalité (promulgated on September 8th, 1978) which would establish some new rules: the presidents would no longer be appointed for life, the Council of the Hospitalité would not only be composed of French people but it would be open to volunteers from other nations, all new hospitaliers would have training in order for them to know all the services and to be capable of switching from one to another.

In 1979, Jean-Marie Landouzy, lawyer at the State Council and the Court of Cassation, became president of the association; it

Repair workshop for the carriages for the sick

was at the end of the Second World War that he had promised to serve Our Lady of Lourdes. President Landouzy was chosen to accomplish the work of the previous years, in particularly the effort to ensure that each hospitalier had a more intense and more communitarian spiritual life and that they participated more in searching the pastoral activity of the Church. After John Toso’s brief presidency, Francois Guilbaud became president: he would lead the HNDL into its centenary. In addition to the preparation of the event, the new president’s mission was to


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improve the administrative organization of the association and the training of young volunteers. This period began with another important event: the pope’s pilgrimage to Lourdes on 15th August, 1983. John Paul II actually went to Lourdes to celebrate the Jubilee of the Redemption. He was greeted at Ossun airport by the French President, Francois Mitterand (for more information on popes’ visits to Lourdes, please refer to the later article). Thus, we arrive at the centennial year: 1985. The strongest point was undoubtedly the pilgrimage to Rome, followed by the exhibition dedicated to the Hospitalité, the idea of both of

father Joulia and Francois Guilbaud: it was inaugurated on 24th April by Monsignor Donze and visited by 40,000 people.

To return to the pilgrimage to Rome from 15th to 22nd March, about a thousand members of the Hospitalité lived one of the strongest moments in the association’s history. In Rome, hospitaliers amongst others were allowed to visit the catacombs, to attend mass at Saint Mary Major, Saint Peter’s, Saint John Lateran, Saint Paul Outside the Walls and, an absolute privilege, an audience with pope John Paul II. Meanwhile, in

Lourdes, the centenary was being celebrated with an international mass in which cardinals

Centre Jeanine dabadie; to her left miss de Radzisky, doctor da Badie and mister Gil; to her right, second row, father Joseph Bordes, rector, mister Guilbaud and father Huchet

With canon Etienne Lalaque; left: mister Gil, doctor da Badie, miss da Badie; right sister Anne Marie and mister Lanfry


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Etchegaray and Willebrand participated. Obviously, the year of festivities didn’t interrupt the “everyday-life” of the association. Instead, the number of pilgrimages to Lourdes increased, as did the activities related to conferences, symposia and training days. 1985 was a fundamental year for all hospitaliers, even for the youngest who had joined the association only recently. The pilgrimage to Rome marked people’s minds, which was why, for the 125th anniversary, chairman Antoine Tierny, decided to organize a trip to the symbolic town of Christianity.

Hospitaliers,

Hospitalier a fine name how it sounds well,Is he old, is he new? He is timeless.He encloses all the charitable past andRemains full of promise.

Hospitalier he who keeps his dwelling as his heart,Open to all the misseries and all the sufferingTo help them and to console them.

Hospitalier one who tends to the sufferings of the soulAs to bodily wounds in order toTreat and heal them.

Hospitalier he who is a good Samaritan to travellers,The Cyrenian at the difficult Stations of the Cross, The Christopher of the small and poor.

Hospitalier he who takes or guides towards the source of lifeThe unhappy who are weak and cry for Help.

Hospitalier not only on the way to Lourdes,In the hospital or at the Grotto, under the eyesOf the Virgin, that’s too easy!

Hospitalier with us now and forever.In our deeds, at the office, at work.For all our brothers and for each dayOf our lives.

Georges Lanfry

Description of

the hospitalier by

Gerorges Lanfry

A bus to transport sick people

Arrival of the sick at Ossun airport (around 1970)


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After the centenary, the association

was reorganised and reached

10,000 volunteers

The Hospitalité over the last 20 years

Even after its centenary, the Hospitalité continued its mission and efforts to renew itself, to live with its time and to always be more efficient with both the volunteers and

with the pilgrims who come to Lourdes. From the association’s earliest days, those in charge always had their hearts set on the development of the Christian life of its members and Marian devotion. For the hospitalier, the Rosary is in fact the all-day prayer, a prayer which they say with the sick, a prayer with which they show an example. Over the years, as it gained more experience, the association felt the need to set up services aimed at accompanying the sick during each stage of their pilgrimage. The dedication and commitment of the Hospitalité required more and more volunteers, some of whom even decided to move to Lourdes.

Between 1986 and 2008, this awareness was becoming stronger and stronger and was associated with the need for further improvements: the renewal and change which its presidents wanted have made the Hospitalité what it is today. Until 1994, the association remained under the presidency of he who had accompanied it towards its Jubilee, Francois Guilbaud. Between 1994 to 2008, there was a succession of only three presidents at the head of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes: Etienne de Roaldès, who replaced François Guilbaud in 1994 and remained until 1999, Gabriel Barbry who led the confraternity to into new century and finally Antoine Tierny who, since 2004, has kept the association with the times and is leading it towards an even more important event: its 125th anniversary.

During that period, homage was paid to some great hospitaliers who died during those years and who distinguished themselves through their devotion, their kindness, their calmness and their initiatives. In 1972, Frotier de La Messelière died, a full-time


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25th March 1988 - monsignor donze passes his powers to monsignor Sahuquet

Entrance to Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes

member since 1949 who was in charge of general services, a very active member of the association, and Elie Longuet, head of the Baths who spent thirty years at the service of the sick in Lourdes. Among the women, one name stands out: Eugénie Bourbon de Solar, head of the linen department for the Baths, who carried out her service with great efficiency and discretion. She was appointed as President of the Hospitalité des Piscines (Hospitality of the Baths) by Bishop Théas in 1958, and held her position for seventeen years leading to the construction of two pavilions to house the hospitaliers.

The female Hospitality, which was also founded in the 1880’s thanks to de Combettes, then president of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Salut, and thanks to the fathers of the Grotto, evolved over time, at the same rate as the archconfraternity which it has belonged to since 1978. It also relied on the same decision-making bodies (the presidency, the Council etc...) as the male confraternity. Presidents were in charge of the Baths; Mother


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superiors who ran the Hospitalité Notre Dame des Douleurs now called Accueil Marie Saint-Frai, and the Asile Notre Dame which became the Accueil Notre Dame.

Between the centenary year and 2008, the Hospitalité wanted to take several steps forward. It dusted off its old records where were located some complaint letters from the sick who complained of the clumsiness and tactlessness of some of the volunteers, traces of conflict between members of diocesan hospitalities and the hospitaliers at Notre Dame de Lourdes, or of controversy between the nurses of Saint-Frai, the Asile and the hospitaliers at the Baths. Once they were aware of the situation, the presidents put some order back into various services.

As regarded the accommodation, for example, the sick pilgrims were lodged in three different lodgings: Saint-Frai, Notre Dame and Sainte Bernadette.

The pilgrims bless themselves with holy water in front of the Baths

Airport: a sick person boarding a plane


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1986 WORLDA reactor explodes at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union. A radio-active cloud spread over a large part of Europe triggering off a continental ecological emergency

1986 WORLDA historical turning point between the Church and the Jewish community. Pope John Paul II and Elio Toaff, Chief Rabbi of Rome, pray together at the synagogue of Rome. It is the first time in history that such an event occurs

1988 WORLDThe year marks the first changes of the global organisation in a world still marked by the Cold War, thanks to the Gorbatchev years. In Poland, the Lech Walesa’s Catholic trade union Solidarnosc begins to develop

1989 CHINAThe government in Beijing represses the bloody student revolution in June during a tragic protest at Tien an Men square

1989 WORLDThe fall of the Berlin Wall, marking the end of the Cold War between the USA and the USSR and the decline of the communist era

1990 MIDDLE EASTThe first Gulf War breaks out following the invasion of Kuwait by the Iraqi troops under Saddam Hussein

1995 ISRAELThe Prime Minister of Israel and Nobel Prize laureate, Yitzhak Rabin is assassinated in Tel Aviv marking the beginning of a difficult period with Palestinians

1997 WORLDHanding back of Hong Kong to China after 99 years under British control

1997 WORLDOn 5th September, Mother Teresa of Calcutta dies, she will be beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2003

2001 WORLDOn 11th September, a group of Islamic terrorists belonging to the international organisation Al Qaeda highjacks two civil planes and crashes them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, leading to their collapse. Another plane crashes into the Pentagon, and a fourth, which was planned for the White House, crashes into a field in Pennsylvania thanks to the passengers’ revolt. The number of victims reaches 3,000. America and the Western world are under shock

2004 WORLDThe Spirit space probe sends its first colour pictures of Mars

2005 WORLD2nd April. Pope John Paul II dies after 27 years as Pontiff. His successor is elected on 19th April, the German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who takes the name of Benedict XVI

2008 UNITED STATESBarack Obama wins the American elections. He is the first coloured president of the United States, he is also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize the following year

WHEN AND WHAT


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In 1997, it was decided that only the big Accueil Notre Dame and the following year, in 1998, the completely renovated Accueil Saint-Frai would accommodate the sick. The organisation of the Hospitalité was also taken care of: the diocesan hospitalities would take care of the sick and the refectories while the hospitaliers of Lourdes would be in charge of more general services. The equipment itself was modernised: wheelchairs and stretchers were more comfortable and easier to handle; at the station, additional platforms were built as well as catering facilities and toilet blocks.

In 1999, an even more significant change took place for the association: the statutes were changed, and a single Hospitalité was created and subdivided into four services: Saint Jean Baptiste which was in charge of the Baths, Notre Dame, the new

The pilgrims during a Marian procession

distribution of water to the sick on the esplanade


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Marie Saint-Frai and finally, Saint Joseph. This new organization worked well, but the association was also in need of a service capable of training future hospitaliers and a service which managed the logistics, to verify that all equipment worked, that the accommodation was in good condition and that the catering facilities met the needs of the pilgrims. Thus, in 2000, two new services were created: Sainte Bernadette and Saint Michel.

From 2005, transport was again improved with new ambulance buses for transfers between the station, the airport and the Grotto. As well as more comfortable and safer stretchers and wheelchairs.There was also progress as regards buildings. In 1993 a new accommodation block was named “Benoit Labre”. The offices of the HDNL were moved to the Accueil Jean Paul II, Villa Marie Joseph was sold in 2007 and in 2008, Notre Dame du Oui was built.

The candles, a symbol of hope and prayer


T H E H O S P I TA L I T é T O D AY

As it approaches its 125th anniversary,

the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes

is today one of the most important associations

in the world.At the foundation of

its activities, there lie precise rules and a spirit

of hospitality which have never changed over time

A profound reality

«For the comfort of the sick, the reconciliation of Man, the unity of the Church, and for world peace» To be a volunteer doesn’t only mean become a volunteer, it

also means adopting an authentic life plan, a spirit of service for the weak which is conveyed in everyday life in Lourdes as well as anywhere else in the world. It is precisely for this reason that the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes (Hospitality Our Lady of Lourdes) differs from so many other associations in the same sector, however important and worthy they may be. There are many reasons for the uniqueness of this association, founded in 1885 in a small town in the Pyrenees, and which was chosen a few years earlier by the Virgin to proclaim her message of faith to the world. First, there is the particular context which Lourdes represented, a small country town which became the world’s centre for Marian worship: In those mountains, there is a unique and unchanged atmosphere, a sensation which becomes more and more intense during the prayers in the Grotto of Massabielle, where the young Bernadette was visited by the “lady dressed in white”.

This suggestive place and the profound devotion of the pilgrims and the sick who often go on long journeys to get there, create a unique place where the word “accueil” (welcome) takes on a particular sense. A message which is perfectly understood by the Hospitalité and by all those, young or adults, who decide to take the road which will lead them as members of the association, despite the years, despite such different times and despite a general loss in values and interest on behalf of the new generations.

From 1885 until today, on the eve of its 125th anniversary, the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes has been able to grow, evolve and welcome each day an increasing amount of people who are willing to try a new and important experience in their



lives. In order to its history, problems, obstacles and difficulties have been numerous, without forgetting two world wars which endangered the very town of Lourdes. During the last century, it also had to deal with a difficult period for the association which wanted to live with its times without compromising its original intention. As we approach the anniversary, it has been a mission which we can define as perfectly

accomplished. Thanks to its rich and precious history, the Hospitalité has been able to transform the problems into opportunities to perfect itself and to grow spiritually; over time, it has transformed and developed in response to the increasing requirements and to the greater number of pilgrims and sick people making their way to Lourdes; it was able to manage at its best its resources in the order to offer the best

Entrance to Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes



and most authentic service.The Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes has now become an international organisation with 20,000 volunteers. This is exponential growth, especially if we consider the number of hospitaliers in 1885, as the current president Antoine Tierny reminds us: «The Hospitalité is the only structure in Lourdes in charge of welcoming the sick and the disabled. We collect them at the train station and at the airport, and we accompany them to the liturgical celebrations at the Shrine and to the Baths, a place of devotion which has seen the amount of visitors increase by 23% compared to previous years. The Hospitalité began its activities in 1885 with only three volunteers whilst today we are 20,000». The hospitaliers who work at the association come from over 60 countries and 5 different continents. In order to carry out their service with the sick pilgrims, they accept to go to the Marian town at their own expense. The positive tendency of the last years was once again illustrated in president Tierny’s thoughts; «In 2008, the year in which we celebrated the 150th year of the Marian apparitions, we had 8,535 volunteers (4,047 hospitaliers, stagiaires and permanent members), a thousand more than the previous years». There is another element which characterises the members of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes: they are international. Many are Italian (3,036 in total hospitaliers, stagiaires and permanent members included), followed by French (2,739), American (471), English (429), Irish (311), German (252) and Belgian (72). The number of volunteers from eastern countries has increased from year to year, 221 hospitaliers, stagiaires and permanent members included.

In order to more efficiently manage the everyday activities and the increasing number of pilgrims (today, up to six million) who come to Lourdes every year, over the years the Hospitalité has developed a complex organisation to ensure no aspect of the service or the welcome is neglected, thus offering the most complete service possible. Since its foundation on 28th January, 1885, the association has been under the authority of the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, guide and priest of the Christian associations committed to the service of the Catholic Church in his own diocese. All this confirms a remarkable project which over the last century has acquired esteem, recognition and respect, as the visits of various Popes to Lourdes have shown.

The Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes is currently under the presidency of Antoine Tierny who was recently reconfirmed as president for the second time after over 37 years of commitment and service as a hospitalier. By his side are the Secretary General, Alan Bregeon, and the treasurer, Alain Marchio. The General Chaplain is father Michel Riquet, who succeeded father Horatio Brito, the new rector of the Shrine of Lourdes.The president, the secretary general and the treasurer of the



Hospitalité are not directly linked to any particular service. Their duty is to ensure that everything works well, by coordinating different sectors and by favouring their reciprocal interaction. The president is also in charge of maintaining relations between the Shrine of Notre Dame of Lourdes and other associations present in the territory. The general chaplain carries out pastoral duties assigned to him by the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes by celebrating the sacraments and by ensuring the spiritual support of the hospitaliers during their road of pilgrimage and service.

Since 5th December, 1999, the activities of the Hospitalité have been officially divided into six different Services, each one having a Manager who is also vice-president under President Tierny:

Service Sainte Bernadette: this Service is in charge of welcoming the future members of the Hospitalité, preparing them for the mission which awaits them during the four years of stage necessary to become hospitalier.

Specific training has been set up for them in six different languages (French, Italian, Spanish, English, German and Dutch), according to the various nationalities of the stagiaires, which is managed by a Conseiller (councillor) and the Formateurs (trainers) of the Service. Generally, work is organised weekly: Monday is reserved for first-year stagiaires, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are reserved for the second, third and fourth years respectively, and Friday is dedicated to a general summary of the week during which the stagiaires focus on what they have experienced. This program is obligatory for the first four years of service and is open to all hospitaliers who wish to renew their spiritual training. The Service is also in charge of the Bureau d’Accueil (the reception) at the entrance of the Accueil Jean Paul II where the headquarters of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes are located.

Service Saint Jean Baptiste: this Service is in charge of accompanying the pilgrims to the Baths, in particular the sick and disabled. The process at the Baths, during which one is immersed into a basin filled with water from the Spring, is a process of faith reminding

us of the sacrament of baptism and the Virgin’s words to Bernadette: «Drink at the spring and wash in it».

Two volunteers giving information to the pilgrims

on the Esplanade



This process represents a particularly strong and important human experience, a message of faith and humbleness which can change many people’s lives. For this reason, the Hospitalité has a very particular importance: the hospitaliers must in fact welcome and help the pilgrims with devotion and respect, even when faced with not so practical situations. To undress and dress again the sick, accompanying them in an action, that is; bathing in the Baths, which has such an impact, requires an authentic spirit of fraternity, generosity and love for one’s neighbour. Unlike the other Services, which are active from March to October, in line with to the main pilgrimage season, the Service des Piscines (Service of the Baths), given its particular importance, is active all year with time variations between the summer and winter seasons.

Service Notre Dame: coordinates activities in the reception centre for sick pilgrims which bears the same name and has a total capacity of 900 people. The hospitaliers operate in close collaboration

with the Sœurs de Nevers congregation (Sisters of Nevers) who are in charge of the structure and some employees of the Shrines. The duties they carry out are countless and even if they don’t directly concern accompanying the sick, they are just as important in guaranteeing the best possible reception; the table service (helping in the kitchen and serving the meals); cleaning of communal areas; services in the sacristy; sewing and embroidery; assisting in the various first-aid points (for doctors and nurses); reception at the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes; presence at the “lost and found”; assisting with flower arrangements for places of worship. Depending on their availability, the stagiaires can also join the other Services of the Hospitalité, in particular the Baths, the train station, the Grotto and during big celebrations, on the Esplanade or at the Basilica of Saint Pius X. Likewise, the hospitaliers are often invited to join the Sisters during times for reflection and prayer.Service Marie Saint-Frai: this Service is linked

to the “Accueil Marie Saint-Frai” which is situated near the Shrines and run by the congregation of the Sœurs de Saint-Frai (Sisters of Saint-Frai) which can receive up to 400 pilgrims during organised

trips. The hospitaliers of this Service are in close relation with the Sœurs de Saint-Frai and, depending on their availability, also collaborate with the other services.Service Saint Michel: this Service runs and

Practical aid and moral support: a hospitalier’s purpose is also to give a smile

A group of sick people on a pilgrimage to Lourdes



coordinates everything regarding accommodating and feeding the members of the association present in Lourdes to help the sick. The Service is also in charge of the Hospitalité

Foyer, or social club and the ’“Workshop”, where hospitaliers take care of the materials used to assist the sick, in particular carriages and stretchers. The hospitaliers at this Service do all kinds of jobs in the different buildings of the Hospitalité such as plumbing, woodwork, electrics etc.

Service Saint Joseph: this Service carries out a multitude of duties: accompanying the pilgrims who arrive or depart from Lourdes train station or Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrenees airport, and their transportation

by bus to the different accommodation centres; the Grotto and the Baths, helping the organisation of daily celebrations in collaboration with the Shrine; managing the

For the first year of service with the Hospitalité known in French as “stage”, the participants must be over 18 years old and no more than 70 years old. Those who meet these requirements must apply to the association by completing the appropriate form which is available on the website: www.hospitalite-lourdes.com and send it to the following addresses:e-mail: [email protected],standard post: Hospitalité Notre Dame di Lourdes,BP 197, 65016 - Lourdes Cedex (France).

Applicants must include an identity photo and a written reference from the parish priest or a member of the Hospitalité. The length of the stage in Lourdes ranges from a minimum of 6 days to a maximum of 15 days. Their presence in Lourdes is completely voluntary and fees related to travel, accommodation and food are not assumed. It is preferable to arrive on Saturday or Sunday in order to begin training on Monday morning. Contributions (associative contributions) are €8 for the stagiaires and €15 for the hospitaliers.

In order to become hospitalier, one has to participate in “stages” for 4 years, following which, after the ceremony of commitment, one may enter the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes as a permanent member.

How to become part

of the Hospitalité

Here is some

information regarding

the stage and

becoming member of

the Hospitalité Notre

dame de Lourdes

Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes display windowat the entrance to the Sanctuaries at St. Michael’s Gate



arrivals and departures of pilgrims at the “Accueil Marie Saint-Frai” and “Accueil Notre Dame”.

The Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes, with the strong motherly affection of the Church and the experience acquired during the years of its service, since its first activities, pioneered in its field and built a solid and efficient organisation, thus succeeding in becoming one of the strongest and most well known entities in the sector of catholic voluntary work, and all this without ever losing sight of its original vocation, which is inseparable from the choice of life of each member.

This is why becoming a hospitalier requires special dedication and laborious preparation, in order to conserve and keep intact this spirit on which, since its beginnings, the association built its activities and its very existence. Pope John Paul II himself

showed his recognition and appreciation to their commitment, and he even wrote a prayer addressed to a delegation of hospitaliers united for the audience at the Vatican: «When at the Grotto of Massabielle, the Virgin was heard calling for prayer and penitence, once the signs of graciousness were heard, the sick came to pray, to offer their suffering, to ask for relief, to implore their gifts for hope and peace of heart. These men and women, young or old, soon appeared as privileged with the saving love of Christ and the dear love of His infinitely compassionate mother.

The presence of the sick has generated around the Shrines and pilgrimages, an intense movement of brotherhood and mutual support to accompany them. Many of those who have served them have become attached to this task and have continued doing it from year to year. They have helped with many aspects concerning animating the pilgrimages, both spiritually and practically. So was born your confraternity in Lourdes, which

was soon to become associated to confraternities linked to the countless regular pilgrimages from Europe and around the world». The pontifical homage continued by announcing the characteristics of the hospitaliers, in a description portraying them as examples: «When I consider what the Hospitalité of Lourdes represents, I am struck by the evangelical sense of what it accomplishes. It is as if we are discovering a long series of answers to the words of the Mother of Jesus: “Do whatever he tells you”. To serve the sick is to do what the Lord expects of

us. During a pilgrimage, once one has experienced the imitation of the Lord as a Good Samaritan, as he is

portrayed in the Gospel, we really feel that it can’t just be an isolated experience

of one day. Hospitaliers return year after year. They actually extend

their action into their everyday communities. (...)

In Lourdes, as elsewhere, the hospitalier knows well that the brotherly assistance provided to those who endure so much suffering is both spiritual aid and an experience of ecclesial community». The Pope’s words could not present the

complexity of the process to become a hospitalier in

a precise way: it is not an improvised choice but the

accomplishment of a mission, a permanently imprinted “sign”

through prayer: «I will not develop all these points today. I just wanted to

underline the value of your commitment. When members of the Hospitalité pronounce

their act of consecration, they pray to the Immaculate Virgin, with the docility to the Holy Spirit and the fervour of faith, they ask her for mercy to work with her ‘For the comfort of the sick, the reconciliation of Man, the unity of the Church, and for world peace.’ With this prayer, you are heading for a great program.

With you, I would like to thank you for what has been achieved with this spirit in the life of your confraternity which shines its light in so many places; and I want you to pray the Mother of the Lord for that she helps you pursue your action more intensely and, in particular, that she helps many young people to hear the evangelical call of love in all its dimensions.

Hospitalité Notre damede Lourdes’ medal, given to those who consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary


special training, practical and spiritual, activities which are organised at the Service Sainte Bernadette. “In general, our figures show a continuous increase” said President Tierny. “In 2008 for example, we registered increases of 10% in the number of hospitaliers, 15% in the number of stagiaires and 31% in the number of permanent members compared to the previous years. Remember, we train approximately 400 new stagiaires each year.”

President Tierny’s only regret is the clear lack of young volunteers, many of whom follow the preparation stages but don’t go on to complete the four years. However, the increasing interests in the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes, today in particular as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, in addition to the “awakening” of the new generations regarding solidarity and commitment to the sector of voluntary work, including catholic work, are the first signs of a change of course which is very promising for the future.

This testimony should help show the new face of the Church and to make you open yourselves to the various pastoral concerns of the Church». And again «May you contribute to the main aspect of the Church’s mission: to welcome and visit the poor and those who suffer the most amongst us, to accompany them with the discretion that suffering for the other requires and the mystery of its interior process; you help them to see the saving grace of the Redeemer so that, comforted and helped by their brother, they will be illuminated with faith by the strength of hope and love. This intense experience leads one to participate even more in the multiple pastoral efforts of the Church in other fields».

So, it is not an easy task and it requires a lot a commitment, determination, profound faith and the capacity to deal with problematic situations. So how does one become a hospitalier? One must know that before receiving this so desired title, it is necessary to follow four years of preparation in service by participating in various tasks as a “stagiaire” and by completing

After 125 years of activity based on service and prayer, Hospitalité Notre dame de Lourdes has become one of the most important associations in the Catholic world


H O S P I TA L I T é ’ S F U T U R E

The future doesnot belong to us...

So say some of the most beautiful lyrics which

we sing in Lourdes: «The first on the road, Mary

you lead us to risk our “yes” for the unexpected acts

of God...»

Beyond the 125th anniversary

However, what actually belongs to us, and what justifies this brochure, is - just like Mary - is to always ponder over these things deep down in our hearts (Luke 2.19)

so that the past, we remember today, be transformed into vivid memories with a promising future. Often it is said that when we don’t know where we’re going, it is useful to look where we came from… The Hospitalité knows “where” it has to go: to be a bigger service for our pilgrim brothers, sick and disabled, although reading over its past again can certainly help it find out “how” to get there.

There are at least two points which emerge from these memories.

The first is positive. It is the stunning capacity of the Hospitalité as an institution to bounce back and adapt according to the events and to the times, thanks in particular to the main people in charge, to the mobilisation and availability of the volunteers.

The second observation is more negative. Except for great catastrophes, namely wars, the outside world barely makes its way to Lourdes. There is an experience which we all have, individually, that of the “bubble of Lourdes”: when we are in Lourdes, we have the tendency to forget the world exists.

Maybe we can build on these two observations to prepare for the future: By consolidating the first and by correcting the second.

Obviously, the capacity to adapt and of mobilisation should be preserved and developed, simply because local circumstances require it to. The immediate environment of the Hospitalité evolves rapidly in ways which we all have in mind: the pilgrim



A young african sick pilgrim on a pilgrimage to Lourdes

Left: the statue of the Crowned Virgin. Right: the Pope signs his last

encyclical Caritas in Veritate



and the sick of today are not the same as yesterday, their methods are not necessarily the same, their means of transport and the accommodation aren’t the same, as well as their expectations... So, the pastoral of the Sanctuaries must adapt to help the hospitality and always be more at its service by accepting the necessary changes. What it has mainly undertaken these last years, since its change of status doing away with the traditional “bretelles”, restructuring the services, adapting its procedures, enabling men and women to work together, developing new accommodation and a new dress-code, modernising transport etc...Tomorrow, we will have to proceed with: Operation Siloam, flexibility in allocating people to the services, ongoing training and any adjustments which prove to be necessary. In this context which is more and more marked by change, fluidity, individualisation of behaviours, concern for the institution, its solidarity and its compatibility become crucial aspects. The future is a seed, already in our lives as a hospitalier in Lourdes and it’s a future which is demanding.

This is surely more from the case from the point of view of the “hospitalier in the world”, and it’s on this second note that tomorrow we will probably be provoked by even bigger challenges. We will be in a world which is more one of globalisation, communication, exchange and internationalization... The “bubble” will not resist and even less the “typically French” aspects of the Hospitalité. We will probably have to discover that the word “hospitalité” comes from two Latin words “hospes” and “hostis” which both mean “stranger”, and that the biblical hospitality based on a welcoming rite related to nomads, is to be tested by charity and divine reward (see La Croix 19.10.2009). In other words, the word hospitality, understood as openness to the world and a welcoming of the world, will become a more and more essential dimension of the doctrine and social practice of the Church. Benedict XVI frequently refers to this.

The presence of the world and to the world will raise our awareness which the current state of evolution brings, in addition to the many resources, risks and even virtual catastrophes, which, though less spectacular than yesteryear, reach the heart of our “job” as hospitalier: welcoming the weaker whether they’re sick, disabled or immigrants.

A group of young french people on a pilgrimage to Lourdes

Bad weather conditions don’t stop all the pilgrims that every year pray in Lourdes in front of the Grotto



Faced with the threats of a new techno-economic totalitarianism, we will not be too many with our heads, our hearts and our arms to develop this new “humanist synthesis” which the Holy Father called for in his last encyclical.

So, there is no doubt, that everywhere, in Lourdes and elsewhere, it is up to us to mould and weave this world and another world together. This is what we need to commit and dedicate ourselves to.

In this sense, it is good that the next page in the story of the Hospitalité which begins with this 125th anniversary will be marked by renewal of our commitment and consecration rituals in order to better distinguish, and unite, in what relates to “doing” in Lourdes and “being” in the Church and in the world.


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The suggestive context, amongst rocky and mountainous landscapes, the simple humbleness of a young girl chosen to be the protagonist and the trustee of a miracle which would mark the history of Christianity. The beautiful “Lady” dressed in white and surrounded by a mysterious light. There are many reasons which make the atmosphere of Lourdes so unique and which have transformed this small village near the Pyrenees into a world-famous hub for Marian dedication. But what is most striking, besides the miraculous healings that have occurred over the years, is the sincere and deep connection which links the millions of pilgrims to this place, maybe more than any other place of worship. The disabled, the sick, people of every culture who speak to the

Virgin in search of physical and spiritual comfort, an intercession on behalf of a loved one or just a prayer. And all this with faith and strength which can be seen even in the eyes, the gestures, and the silence of the crowds gathered outside the Grotto or the “Esplanade du Rosaire”. One only has to go to Lourdes once to experience this unique atmosphere which is unforgettable.

Since the first years after the apparitions, many Sovereign Pontiffs understood its importance and confirmed this indissoluble bond. Each pontifical trip has marked a new and fundamental step in the history of the Church, it has become the occasion for important proclamations which have left touching memories. As was the case with pope John Paul II, who chose the French city as a stage in his

final apostolic journey on 14th and 15th August, 2004, before his death in April 2005. Prostrated by his illness and obviously sick, he prayed for long and silent minutes in front of the Grotto of Massabielle, confiding his speech to Cardinal Etchegaray. Affectionate and understanding words, especially towards the sick, with who he shared the deep physical pain of those recent years: «I am here with

you, dear brothers and sisters, as a pilgrim to Our Lady. I make my own your prayers and your hopes. With you I share a time of life marked by physical suffering, yet not for that reason any less fruitful in God’s wondrous plan. With you I pray for all those who trust in your prayers». And again: «In carrying out my apostolic ministry I have always trusted greatly in the offerings, prayers and sacrifices of the suffering.

15th August, 1983 – John Paul

II’s pilgrimage to Lourdes:

Ossun airport with Francois

Mitterrand

A profound connectionSince the apparitions in Lourdes, various popes have cometo witness the unique reality of this place. From Pius XIIto Benedict XVI, it is the story of a special encounter


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During this pilgrimage I ask you to join me in offering to God, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, all the intentions of the Church and of the world».To conclude his emotional speech, pope Wojtyla addressed the sick once again with deeply affectionate words: «Dear brothers and sisters who are sick, how I would like to embrace each and every one of you with affection, to tell you how close I am to you and how much I

support you. I now do so in spirit, entrusting you to the maternal love of the Mother of the Lord and entreating her to obtain for all of us the blessings and consolations of Jesus her Son».John Paul II’s journey took place during the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and he underlined the profound connection with the Assumption of the Virgin: «Kneeling here, before the Grotto of Massabielle, I feel deeply that I have reached the goal of my pilgrimage. This cave, where Mary appeared, is the heart of Lourdes. It reminds us of the cave of Mount Horeb where Elijah met the Lord, who spoke to him in “a still small voice”. We wish to learn from the lowly handmaid of the Lord an attitude of docility and openness to the word of God and a generous commitment to welcoming Christ’s teaching into our lives».

Arrival in Lourdes with mayor Francois Abadie in Lourdes

John Paul II arrives at the Sanctuaries in the popemobile near the Crowned Virgin


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«Que soy era Immaculada Councepcion» (I am the Immaculate Conception) «The words which Mary spoke to Bernadette on 25 March 1858 have a particular resonance this year, as the Church celebrates the 150th anniversary of the solemn definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Blessed Pius IX in the Apostolic Constitution Ineffabilis Deus». «Today the Church celebrates Mary’s glorious Assumption body and soul into Heaven. The two dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption are closely related. Both proclaim the glory of Christ the Redeemer and the holiness of Mary, whose human destiny is even now perfectly and definitively realized in God. In his speech, pope Wojtyla did not forget to spare a thought for the sick and the hospitaliers who follow them with devotion: «I greet in particular all the young people, who are so much at home in Lourdes and have placed themselves so generously at the service of their sick brothers and sisters as hospitaliers. I recall with fondness my meetings with young people in France: our first meeting in Paris, then those in Lyons, Strasbourg and once again in Paris for World Youth Day. Dear young friends: these meetings have given me a great hope which I wish to share with you today. Let Mary be your teacher, and you will bring a fresh breath of optimism to the world». His predecessors also celebrated Lourdes and its grandeur, often for formal anniversaries, such as when pope Pius XII wrote an encyclical for the centenary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary: «Deep in our soul are profound and pleasant memories of the pilgrimage to Lourdes which We had the privilege of making when We went to preside, in the name of Our Predecessor, Pius XI, over the Eucharistic and Marian celebrations marking the close of the Jubilee of the Redemption». «We wish to join with you, Beloved Sons and Venerable

Prayer to the sickBecause you are the smile of God, the reflection of the light of Christ, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, Because you chose Bernadette in her lowliness, because you are the morning star, the gate of heaven and the first creature to experience the resurrection, Our Lady of Lourdes, with our brothers and sisters whose hearts and bodies are in pain, we pray to you!

Pope Benedict XVI, Lourdes 15th September, 2008

Karol Wojtyla in Lourdes with the president Antoine Tierny

Karol Wojtyla prays at the Grotto with monsignor donze


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Brothers, in thanking God for the great favour granted your country, and for the many graces He has bestowed on multitudes of pilgrims during the past century. We wish to invite all Our children to renew in this jubilee year their confident and generous devotion to her who, in the words of Saint Pius X, deigned to establish at Lourdes “the seat of her immense kindness”. «She came to Bernadette» We once said. «She made her her confidante, her collaborator, the instrument of her maternal tenderness and of the merciful power of her Son, to restore the world in Christ through a new and incomparable outpouring of the Redemption». Pius XII spoke of the deep bond which his predecessors wanted to create in Lourdes and its numerous suggestions. «This century of Marian devotion has also in a certain way woven close bonds between the See of Peter and the shrine in the Pyrenees, bonds which We are pleased to acknowledge. The Virgin Mary herself desired this tie. «It is therefore not surprising that it should have pleased Our Predecessors to multiply their favours toward this Shrine» Far back in 1869, Pius IX expressed his satisfaction that the «obstacles which rose in Lourdes have helped to demonstrate with more strength and evidence the clarity of the event». «In 1892 Leo XIII granted the proper Office and Mass of the feast «In apparitione Beatae Mariae Virginis Immaculatae». «In her power may the Virgin Mother, who once cooperated through her love with the birth of the faithful into the Church, now be the means and guardian of our salvation; may she return the tranquillity of peace to troubled souls; may she hasten the return of Jesus Christ in private and public life».

In turn, Pius X was also a proponent for another important step in creating the Episcopal title of Lourdes with that of Tarbes, raising Bernadette to the honour of the altars with the introduction of the beatification of Bernadette. Pope Pacelli went on to quote two great predecessors: Benedict XV, who wanted to «enrich the shrine with new and precious indulgences» and to «honour the Marian town by granting his bishop the privilege of the pallium at the place of the apparitions»; «Pius XI, who had been to Lourdes himself as a pilgrim, continued the work of Benedict XV. He had the joy of raising to the honours of the altar the girl who had been favoured by the Virgin and who, in the habit of the Congregation of Charity and Christian Instruction», finally saying that «now justly considered one of the principal Marian shrines in the world». Lourdes witnessed the presence of another highly popular pope, John XXIII, who had the opportunity of visiting the town on several occasions as a young priest with his bishop, Giacomo Maria Radini Tedeschi, and as Papal Legate, before his election. In

March, 1858, cardinal Roncalli dedicated the underground temple of Saint Pius X to him after having been Papal Representative on French soil for approximately nine years, from 1944 to 1953, and from 8th to 15th July, 1954 he presided over the pilgrimage of Trentino in Lourdes as Patriarch of Venice. Not to mention the restoration of the Shrine in 1962, with the demolition of the two lateral staircases which led to the actual set up focusing on the altar and the small statue of the Immaculate. After John Paul II who was marked by the pain of his illness visited Lourdes, Pope Benedict XVI paid homage to the 150th

15th September, 2008. Pope Benedict XVI’s pilgrimage. Mass for the sick


President Tierny pushing pope John Paul II’s wheelchair during his last apostolic trip to Lourdes

year of the apparitions of the Virgin to Bernadette during an official visit from 12th to 15th September, 2008. It was an experience which was full of spiritual and political virtues, as was witnessed during his meeting in Paris with President Nicolas Sarkozy. A very important occasion in a period of history which is marked by conflict, ignorance, poverty and social problems, in which Benedict XVI wanted to strongly underline the unity of the Church and the need to join forces in such a difficult time. In front of over 200,000 people gathered on the Esplanade of the Rosary for the Holy Mass, the Pope spoke of a new force that Lourdes could bring, a new breath of life and spiritual renewal to the entire Christian community. Lourdes gives the Church’s mission a “new breath” a new “missionary spirit”, on the momentum of the “great evangelists of France”. According to Joseph Ratzinger, «by presenting herself in this way, in utter dependence upon God, Mary expresses in reality an attitude of total freedom, based upon the full recognition of her true dignity». «You have come in large numbers to make this Jubilee pilgrimage with me and to entrust your families, your relatives and friends, and all your intentions to Our Lady».

«Jesus took upon himself the weight of all the sufferings and injustices of our humanity. He bore the humiliation and the discrimination, the torture suffered in many parts of the world by so many of our brothers and sisters for love of Christ». Neither did he forget the sick during the Holy Mass on Monday, September 15th. He said: «Mary loves each of her children, giving particular attention to those who, like her Son at the hour of his Passion, are prey to suffering; she loves them quite simply because they are her children, according to the will of Christ on the Cross». «In the smile of the most eminent of all creatures, looking down on us, is reflected our dignity as children of God, that dignity which never abandons the sick person. This smile, a true reflection of God’s

tenderness, is the source of an invincible hope». «I would like to say, humbly, to those who suffer and to those who struggle and are tempted to turn their backs on life: turn towards Mary! Within the smile of the Virgin lies mysteriously hidden the strength to fight against sickness and for life. With her, equally, is found the grace to accept without fear or bitterness to leave this world at the hour chosen by God».

Pope John Paul II’s words to the young hospitaliers during his last apostolic trip

«I greet in particular all the young people, who are so much at home in Lourdes and have placed themselves so generously at the service of their sick brothers and sisters as hospitaliers. I recall with fondness my meetings with young people in France: our first meeting in Paris, then those in Lyons, Strasbourg and once again in Paris for World Youth Day. Dear young friends: these meetings have given me a great hope which I wish to share with you today. Let Mary be your teacher, and you will bring a fresh breath of optimism to the world!».

A SPECIAL MEMORY

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SERVICEUnique edition

Published forHospitalité Notre Dame de LourdesAccueil Jean-Paul II, B.P. 19765106 Lourdes Cedex

In charge of publicationAntoine Tierny

Realized forHospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes

Texts byPierre ChalvidanPierfrancesca GravianiDeborah Moleri

Graphic projectMAB.q Roma-Milano-Parigi

PaginationElena Colombi

Editorial staffPierfrancesca GravianiDeborah MoleriTino Redaelli

Thanks to Fr René Point for sharing his own experiences, his writings and the majority of the photos used in this monograph

PhotosOsservatore Romano“Servir les malades à Lourdes, 1885-1985; 100 ans de Hospitalité”, by father René Point, NDL editions

PrintingImprimerie Augé

w e b s i t e

The Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes has got a new website!

The new website has been conceived for a communicative restyling, part of a relaunch of the association’s publicity, aimed at fostering closer contact and

interaction among its members. It has modern and captivating graphics, easy to read online, available in six languages (French, Italian, Spanish, English, German, Dutch)

to reach our hospitaliers and supporters all over the world.

Connect to www.hospitalite-lourdes.com to find out lots of useful information about the association, history, activities, services, how to enrol for a “stage” (period of voluntary service) and join the great Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes family.

Conceived for a special event, a useful resource with detailed information onthe role of Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes

A dvd, obtainable from the hospitalité office, which combines information with testimonies from those who live the inner life of hospitalité


SERVICEA journey through the history of Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes from the beginningto present day also with a look towards the future

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MA

B.q

€ 10

Year 2010

Unique edition

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hospitalitè Notre Dame de Lourdes - EN