THE CHURCH OF SAINT BERNADETTE

The interior of the Church of Saint Bernadette, Lourdes

Standing on the left bank of the Gave de Pau River opposite the Grotto of Massabielle is the Church of Saint Bernadette (Eglise Sainte Bernadette). It is a very modern, bright, and spacious building with relatively little adornment which took 17 months to build. 100-metre long and 80 metre-wide, the Church of Saint Bernadette can hold up to 5000 people and 350 wheelchairs. However, movable Church partitions can be drawn to divide the nave into smaller sections for smaller gatherings. The most prominent feature of the Church is probably its ceiling made of interwoven asymmetrical iron bars underneath a roof that was designed to incorporate as much natural daylight into the Church as possible. 

Inside the Church of Saint Bernadette - take note of the wonderful ceiling

The well-equipped conference rooms of the Church which are perfect for meetings, seminars, presentations, and social gatherings can accommodate from 40 to 500 people. On the right side of the church is the Mount Carmel lecture theatre which can accommodate up to 500 people. Most of the pilgrimage conferences are held there. The French Bishops' Annual Conference is also held there in the autumn. Nearby is the Adoration Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is presented during the pilgrimage season from April to October. 

The Church was designed by the French architects, Jean-Paul Felix, Cyril Despres, Jean-Paul Guinard and Dominique Yvon and built on the spot where Bernadette stood during the 18th and final apparition on 16 July 1858. It was consecrated on 25 March 1988 by Monsignor Henri Donze to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the apparitions. This ceremony was his last benediction as the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. On the same day after this ceremony, he was succeeded by Monsignor Jean Yves Marie Sahuquet who became the new Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes.

Designed with the architectural concept intended to create a pleasant and friendly atmosphere, the Church was built in the shape of a semicircular amphitheatre. Open air Masses and special Church events are held at the Meadow, the large area around the Church. The Mass of the Assumption, which is attended by eighty thousand pilgrims from around the world every year, is traditionally celebrated in the Church. On 15 August 1983, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in the Church in the presence of three hundred thousand pilgrims. 

You may also like to read THE BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE MUSEUM OF LOURDES, and THE MESSAGE OF LOURDES. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.

References:

1.  Discover Lourdes. MSM.

2.  Lourdes. Doucet Publications.

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

4.  Lourdes. Andre Doucet Pubication.