Rome, Italy, Sep 12, 2008 / 10:33 am
Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes-Lourdes encouraged the faithful of the world to join in the jubilee for the 150th anniversary of the Marian Apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, which Pope Benedict XVI will mark this weekend during his visit to the shrine dedicated to her.
According to Vatican Radio, the French bishop explained that this anniversary is a great opportunity for all the communities named after Lourdes to strengthen their bonds of union with Lourdes in France, in order to better understand their roots.
He encouraged the faithful to travel to Lourdes to join in the celebration. “All are welcome, but if it is not possible to make the pilgrimage, you will be able to join in the Lourdes Jubilee through the media,” he said.
Bishop Perrier said Catholics can get in touch with the diocese throughout the year in order to find out how they can make a pilgrimage to Lourdes. “You are all members of the great family of Lourdes. Wherever you are, pray the prayer of the jubilee. In this way, you will form part of an intercontinental Marian community of prayer. There is no reason why only the economy should be globalized,” the bishop said.