THE CRYPT

The Crypt (La Crypte) in Lourdes, France

Situated between the The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Rosary Basilica is the Crypt which stands on the Rock of Massabielle. Built between the years 1863 and 1866, it was the first of the churches to be completed in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in response to the request of Our Lady during the thirteenth apparition, "Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here." The construction of the Church was initiated by Father Peyramale, the parish priest of Lourdes. Building work started on 13 September 1863 under the supervision of Hippolyte Durand, a French architect who specialized in medieval church architecture. The new church was consecrated on 19 May 1866 by Monsignor Laurence, the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, in the presence of Bernadette. Her departure for the convent of Saint Gildard in Nevers was delayed so that she could witness this special consecration ceremony. Francois Soubirous (Bernadette's father), who had worked on its construction, was also present to witness its official opening.

The Main Altar

The Crypt has three naves with Gothic vaulted ceilings and can accommodate 120 people. Its notable feature are its 28 Pyrenean marble columns which support the weight of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception constructed atop the Crypt. The high altar was restored in 1966. Above the altar, there is a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus with a golden halo sculpted by the French sculptor, Joseph-Hugues Fabisch, in 1868. The Church contains four chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter, and Saint John the Evangelist. Bernadette's fifth right rib, which was removed from her body in 1925 when her body was exhumed for a third time, can also be found in the Crypt.

The Chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph

The Chapel dedicated to Saint Peter

The Chapel dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist

Hewn out of the rock, the Crypt is beautiful but has to be unusually small in order to enhance its stability. Prior to the year 1904, visitors could only enter the Crypt by way of two underground passages. However, these passages were closed for the purpose of strengthening the foundations of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception constructed above the Crypt. Today, visitors can enter the Crypt through a corridor in the central passage. At the entrance, visitors will be able to see statues of St. Peter holding the Keys of Heaven, Pope Pius X administering the sacrament of Eucharist, and St. Bernadette depicted as the poor shepherd girl of Bartres.

Statue of St. Peter holding the Keys of Heaven

Statue of Pope Pius X administering the Eucharist

Above the entrance of the Crypt is a mosaic medallion of Pope Pius X holding a parchment in his hands with the words "To Mary Immaculate". Outside the Crypt is the church courtyard below which is the Rosary Basilica. From the church courtyard, visitors can see the Grotto, the Gave de Pau River flowing past the Grotto, the Castle of Lourdes, and most of the town of Lourdes.

The Crypt is a place of silence where we can reflect upon our own lives and get closer to God through personal prayer. As what Cardinal Robert says, "Through silence, we return to our heavenly origin, where there is nothing but calm, peace, repose, silent contemplation, and adoration of the radiant face of God. The importance of silence is clearly emphasized in his book entitled The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorhip of Noise.

You may also like to read THE PARISH CHURCH OF LOURDES, BASILICA OF SAINT PIUS X, and THE CHURCH OF SAINT BERNADETTE. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.


References:
1.  Lourdes & Bernadette. Publisher "il Calamo"
2.  Lourdes. Doucet Publications.
3.  Discover Lourdes. MSM.
4.  The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise. Ignatius Press.

THE BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of Lourdes

Located at Avenue Mgr Theas, Le Sanctuaire, 65100 Lourdes, France, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Basilique de L'lmmaculee-Conception de Lourdes) is a Roman Catholic Church within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the area surrounding the Grotto of Massabielle. It is also known as the Upper Basilica because it can be seen above the Rosary Basilica and the Crypt. Built on top of the rock of Massabielle above the Grotto, the neo-Gothic style Basilica was designed by architect Hippolyte Durand. Constructed between the years 1866 and 1871, it was the second of the churches to be completed and was officially opened for worship on 15 August 1871. It was consecrated on 2 July 1876 by Cardinal Joseph-Hippolyte Guibert, the Archbishop of Paris. Thus the Virgin Mary's request during the thirteenth apparition, "Go and tell the priests to build a chapel here" was granted. That was also the reason why the Church was named the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The stained-glass windows of the Basilica

The Interior of the Basilica

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception can hold about 600 people. 51 metres long, 21 metres wide and 19 meters high, it has a single nave lit with colors from stained-glass windows. The series of stained-glass windows of the Basilica illustrate the story of the Immaculate Conception from the Terrestrial Paradise right up to the promulgation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX on 8 December 1854. The scenes on the upper part of the nave to the left begin with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden after committing original sin followed by scenes from the Old Testament relating to the Immaculate Conception. The scenes on the upper part of the nave to the right depict events from the New Testament and the history of the Church. On the lower part of the nave are 23 chapels each with its own stained-glass window illustrating the important events relating to the apparitions in Lourdes as well as the history of Lourdes. These beautiful stained-glass windows were designed and made by the French painter and illustrator, Laurent Gsell, according to the guidance of Canon Lambert from Paris.

The Chapel of Saint Peter

The Chapel of Saint Francis of Assisi

The Chapel of Saint Germaine

The high altar is made of white Carrara marble. On the left of the presbytery is the white Carrara marble statue of Our Lady of Lourdes sculpted by the French sculptor, Emilien Cabuchet. There are five more chapels around the chevet dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of La Salette, Our Lady of Victories, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and Our Lady of Pontmain respectively.

The High Altar of the Basilica

The White Carrara Marble Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes

The exterior is dominated by a 70-metre high Gothic bell tower which rises about 100 metres above the Gave de Pau River. Above the Gothic portal is a mosaic medallion depicting Pope Pius IX, who promulgated the infallible dogma of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December 1854. The Basilica clock plays the "Ave Maria" every hour and chimes the hours with a 2-tonne bell named Jeanne-Alphonsine. The Basilica has four bells - the other bells in the tower are called Genevieve-Felicie (1800 kg), Hermine-Benoete (1100 kg), and Cecile-Gastine (800 kg).

The Exterior of the Basilica

The 70-meter Gothic Spire of the Basilica

You may also like to read THE PARISH CHURCH OF LOURDES, LOURDES: MIRACLES AND THE MIRACULOUSLY HEALED, and CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN LOURDES. To view the content page of this blog, please click here. There is a complete list of my articles about Lourdes on this page.

References:
1.  Lourdes. Doucet Publicatins.
2.  Lourdes & Bernadette. Publisher "il Calamo"
3.  Discover Lourdes. MSM.

BASILICA OF SAINT PIUS X

A scenic view of the oval Basilica of St Pius X from the Castle of Lourdes

In order to accommodate the ever-increasing number of pilgrims and tourists to Lourdes, the Basilica of Saint Pius X (Basilique Saint Pie X), which is nearly the size of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, was built in 1956 and completed in 1958. Dedicated to Pope Pius X, it is one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the world. Located at 97 Boulevard Remi Sempe, 65100 Lourdes, the large oval Basilica is entirely underground and that is why it is also  known as the 'Underground Basilica'. Entering through St. Michael's Gate, the Basilica of Saint Pius X can be found on the left side of the Esplanade. Pilgrims can enter the Basilica through its six entrances. The main entrance is on the Esplanade facing The Chapel of St. Joseph. 201-metre long and 81-metre wide, the Basilica has an area of 12000 square metres and an inside perimeter of about 475 metres. It can hold about 25000 people. The Basilica of Saint Pius X was consecrated by Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli on 25 March 1958 to celebrate the centenary of the apparitions. He became Pope a few months later, taking the name John XXIII.

The interior of the Basilica

The V-shaped pillars supporting the ceiling beams and the long central beam

The Saint Pius X Basilica was designed by the French architects Pierre Vago, Andre Le Donne and Pierre Pinsard. The interior of the Basilica consists of 58 V-shaped pillars that support the ceiling beams, which are the vertebrae of the vault, as well as the long central beam. This design not only provides maximum visibility but also makes use of the available space efficiently. Its oval shape has been likened to a fish and a grain of wheat which are the traditional symbols of Christianity. The early Christians used the fish symbol, also known as the Jesus fish, as a secret symbol to identify themselves as Jesus' followers. The grain of wheat symbolizes the bread of Jesus' last supper and His resurrection.

The high altar in the center of the Basilica

The closing ceremony of the Eucharistic Procession

The finale ceremony at the end of the Procession

The centre of the basilica is dominated by the high altar. The Holy Sacrament is kept in the Pax Christi Chapel, also known as the Chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament, which is located to the north of the high altar. There is a relic of Pope Saint Pius X in the altar of this chapel. International mass is celebrated in the Basilica at 9.30 a.m. every Wednesday and Sunday during the pilgrimage season. The closing ceremony of the Eucharistic procession and the blessing of the pilgrims takes place inside the Basilica every evening during the pilgrimage season, from Easter to All Saints Day. On rainy days, the procession, which normally takes place on the Esplanade, will be held inside the Basilica.

The Eucharistic Procession

The Eucharistic Procession

The Eucharistic Procession

The walls of the Basilica are decorated with stained-glass windows that allow light into the building which has no other decorations. The windows are stained-glass masterpieces gifts from French gemmail artists. On the west ramp are the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary designed by Robert Falucci, and on the east ramp are the 15 Stations of the Cross designed by Denys de Solere. Bernadette's way of light, a series of stained-glass windows which depict the eighteen apparitions of Our Lady to St. Bernadette and two scenes from the saint's life based on sketches by Rene Margotton can be found on the lower part to the east. There are two more images at the entrance to the sacristy thus making a total of 52 images. Especially important masterpieces in these series of stained-glass windows are Bernadette's Vision by Marguerite Bordet, Our Lady of Light by Tony Agostini and Peter's Boat by Meb. 

You may also like to read LOURDES: THE ROSARY BASILICA, THE BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE CRYPT, THE PARISH CHURCH OF LOURDES, and THE CHURCH OF SAINT BERNADETTE. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.

References:

1.  Lourdes & Bernadette. Publisher "il Calamo".

2.  Lourdes. Doucet Publications.

3.  Lourdes. Andre Doucet Publication.

4.  Discover Lourdes. MSM.

LOURDES: THE ROSARY BASILICA

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as the Rosary Basilica or Lower Basilica, was the third of the churches to be completed in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes after the Crypt and the Upper Basilica. Designed by the architect Leopold Hardy, it was constructed between the years 1883 and 1889. The Church was inaugurated in 1889 and consecrated in 1901 by Monsignor Langenieux, the Archbishop of Rheims. Since the Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette at the grotto holding a rosary in her hands, the Rosary Basilica was dedicated to this theme.

The Sanctuary of the Basilica

Inside the Rosary Basilica

Mass in the Rosary Basilica

The Rosary Basilica is a Neo-Byzantine-style church with three naves laid out in the shape of a Greek cross. Each of the three naves is 14 metres wide.  52 metres long and 48 metres wide, the church can seat up to 1500 people and hold about 2500 people. The features of the Rosary Basilica are its 15 chapels dedicated to the 15 mysteries of the Holy Rosary illustrated on large mosaics. The events in the life of Jesus are clearly depicted on these mosaics and pilgrims can recite the rosary guided by the mosaics. On the left are the five Joyful Mysteries, in the centre are the five Sorrowful Mysteries, and to the right are the five Glorious Mysteries. The mosaics are the works of the Italian mosaic artist, Giandomenico Facchina, over the course of twelve years, from 1895 to 1907.

1st Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation

2nd Joyful Mystery - The Visitation

3rd Joyful Mystery - The Nativity

4th Joyful Mystery - The Presentation

5th Joyful Mystery - The Finding in the Temple

The mosaics are based on the 19th Century paintings of prominent European artists such as:

• Melchior Doze of the Academie de Nimes (The Annunciation and The Nativity), 
• the Parisian artist, M. Grellet (The Visitation and The Finding in the Temple, The Crowning with Thorns, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection), 
• the French painter and illustrator, Louis Edouard Fournier (The Presentation, The Scourging), 
• the Spanish painter, Felipe Maso (The Carrying of the Cross), 
• the French symbolist painter from Nantes, Edgard Maxence (The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Ascension, The Coronation).

2nd Glorious Mystery - The Ascension

4th Glorious Mystery - The Assumption

The facade of the Rosary Basilica is dominated by a majestic Romanic portal depicting the Madonna carrying the Child Jesus on her lap who is handing a rosary to Saint Dominic de Guzman, the founder of the Dominican order. Completed in the year 1890, it is the work of the French sculptor, Maniglier.

The Facade of the Rosary Basilica

The Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus giving a Rosary to Saint Dominic

The inner side of the dome of the Rosary Basilica features a circlet of roses - a symbol of the Holy Rosary. The top of the dome features a golden crown and a cross in commemoration of the coronation of Our Lady of Lourdes.

The Interior View of the Dome

The Top of the Dome of the Basilica 

In an open area to the left of the Rosary Basilica is the Esplanade Chapel, the old chapel of Saint Bernadette. Here, visitors can see the bronze statue of Bernadette kneeling in prayer with a rosary in her hands, the work of the Tarbes sculptor, Firmin Michelet. The mosaic behind the statue depicting the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels is the work of Edgard Maxence. On the steps of the altar (in the mosaic) are the words the Immaculate Conception said to Bernadette during the third apparition, "I cannot promise you happiness in this life but in the next." To understand more about the life of Bernadette, please read THE PASSION OF BERNADETTE.

The Esplanade Chapel

You may also like to read BASILICA OF SAINT PIUS X, THE BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE PARISH CHURCH OF LOURDES, and THE CHURCH OF SAINT BERNADETTE. To view the content page of this blog, please click here. There is a complete list of my articles about Lourdes on this page


References:
1.  Lourdes & Bernadette. Publisher "il Calamo".
2.  Lourdes. A. Doucet Publication.
3.  Lourdes: The Life of Bernadette, the Apparitions, the Shrines. Andre Doucet Publication.
4.  Discover Lourdes. MSM.