Go tell the priests to come here in procession and to build a church here.” In 1858, the Blessed Virgin appeared in an unknown town in France and spoke these words to a poor, young peasant girl.

Now, 150 years later, the peasant girl has been named a saint; the town is visited by thousands of people each year; and Our Lady’s message is continued in the hearts and prayers of those who visit there.

Each year, millions of pilgrims from around the world travel to the Lourdes Grotto. Continuing their commitment to spreading the Gospel message throughout the world, the Oblates have established a ministry in Lourdes. As the language coordinators at Lourdes, the Oblates help pilgrims understand the history and spirituality of Lourdes; say Masses and give the Sacrament of Reconciliation in various languages; and oversee programs like the Youth Village. With the Oblates’ guidance, pilgrims discover the mystery of Lourdes.

Fr. Liam Griffin, O.M.I., believes he and the eight other Oblates ministering in Lourdes are answering the Blessed Virgin’s call to “build a church.”
As Fr. Liam explains, “When Our Lady said these words to St. Bernadette did she mean a physical building or a congregation? I think she meant both. Without the people, there is no church. Without the church, the people have no place to gather.”

“Here at Lourdes we create an international faith community. There are so many nationalities. It is the Oblates’ job to bring them together. In many ways we’re divided. Here, we come together as the Universal Church.”

The Oblates’ role in Lourdes began in 1861, when Oblate Fr. Ferdinand Gondrand had requested to meet Bernadette during his visit to Lourdes. Impressed with the young girl’s account of the miraculous apparition of Our Lady, Fr. Gondrand encouraged Bernadette to put her account in writing. So it came to be, that Bernadette wrote the first account of her visions of the woman who called herself “The Immaculate Conception.” Thanks to Fr. Gondrand, these historical records still exist today.

St. Bernadette heard Our Lady’s message and, with the help of Fr. Gondrand, shared it with the world. The Oblates continue to share that important message today when pilgrims visit the Shrine.

As Fr. Liam explains, “Our founder, Impressed with the young girl’s account of the miraculous apparition of Our Lady, Fr. Gondrand encouraged Bernadette to put her account in writing. So it came to be, that Bernadette wrote the first account of her visions of the woman who called herself “The Immaculate Conception.” Thanks to Fr. Gondrand, these historical records still exist today.

St. Bernadette heard Our Lady’s message and, with the help of Fr. Gondrand, shared it with the world. The Oblates continue to share that important message today when pilgrims visit the Shrine.

As Fr. Liam explains, “Our founder, St. Eugene De Mazenod, said the Oblates should adopt Mary as our own mother. People come to Lourdes because they believe in Our Lady and her message. It is through her that we discover the salvation of her Son, Jesus.”