There was more fear than damage in Lourdes, despite the impressive images of the Grotto of Massabielle flooded by the Gave de Pau — a tributary of the Adour River that runs through the town of Lourdes. The shrine was partially inundated by heavy rains at the end of the week, with the grotto itself inundated by around 16 inches of water.
The Chapel of Candles, where pilgrims usually light votive candles, was also flooded, but no one was injured. Access to the shrine was momentarily restricted, but the situation was soon back to normal.
“Thanks to the mobilization of the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine teams, the Grotto was able to be cleaned and reopened to pilgrims, following the floods that occurred,” announced the shrine the day after the bad weather. The statement then expressed satisfaction with the success of its flood protection plan, in a region where rainy weather is common.
After a few hours' closure, services resumed in the late afternoon, with the 6 p.m. Rosary at the Grotto of the Apparitions. Only the pools remain inaccessible to the public for the time being, until they have been thoroughly cleaned. Pilgrims will be able to visit them again in a few days' time, the shrine promised. The Chapel of Candles was reopened on the morning of Sunday, September 8, which is Our Lady's birthday.
The baths where the sick are immersed in water from the miraculous spring were inaccessible for four years, due first to the COVID pandemic and then to renovations. They only reopened in August of this year.
