Message of Msgr. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
To pilgrimage directors
To Hospitality Presidents
Lourdes, 3rd May 2022
Dear friends,
We are all immensely delighted with the appointment of Mgr. Jean-Marc Micas as Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. His ordination, on 29th May at the Basilica of St Pius X, will be a great event for the diocese and the Sanctuary. The next day, Mgr. Micas will take possession of his seat in the cathedral of Tarbes and the mission of Mgr. Antoine Hérouard as apostolic delegate ad nutum Sanctae Sedis will then end. We owe a lot to Mgr. Hérouard. His patient listening, his welcome for everyone, his desire to move forward have been very important for the Sanctuary. He was totally committed to his role without thinking about his own reserves of strength ... and we are all well aware of the distance between Lille and Lourdes. He is now Archbishop of Dijon; I am very happy for him and for his diocese. We will give thanks with him for his ministry at the Sanctuary with a mass at the Grotto on Thursday 19th May at 11 a.m.
Today, Mgr. Hérouard sent the “chapelains” and members of the working community of the Sanctuary a letter in which he announced my departure from Lourdes on 31st July. I am coming to the end of my 3-year mandate, and a new archbishop has been appointed in Paris. It seemed preferable that I return to my original diocese. Very soon, Mgr. Micas will announce the name of my successor at the Sanctuary.
I leave, as you can imagine, with great sadness. During the years that I have been rector, there has been no shortage of crises but I believe that the Sanctuary has met these head on thanks to the combined efforts of everyone. The return of pilgrimages this season announces a promising future for Lourdes in the years to come. The trips that I have been able to make lately to the United States, where the relics of Saint Bernadette are currently making a very successful pilgrimage, but also to India clearly show the real passion of pilgrims from all over the world for the Sanctuary of the Immaculate. Lourdes has very good days ahead of it. Never has the Sanctuary been so much a sign of light and peace in a world of crises. The visible, central presence of and the infinite respect shown to the most vulnerable are a powerful sign for the world. The prayer that rises at any given moment from the Grotto of Massabielle is a source of hope. Mary keeps saying to everyone, “Will you do me the honour of coming here?”
For a priest, being Rector of the Sanctuary is an extraordinary ministry. I have tried to assume it to the best of my abilities, with all my qualities and my faults. But I have only been able to do this thanks to the wonderful community of “chapelains” who are passionate about their mission, and the total commitment of employees and volunteers. I have to mention the irreplaceable role of the Hospitalities, which are the heart of the Sanctuary through their dedication to the service of all.
When I arrived at the Sanctuary, I was very much aware that I was not the first rector and that a long history preceded me. This story will continue. Everyone will write it together. For the glory of God. For the good of the sick and the most vulnerable. For the pilgrims who are magnificent witnesses of the simple trust in Mary, the Immaculate Virgin.
I will of course have the chance to see some of you in the coming weeks, which is a source of great joy for me. For those I will not see again, please accept my gratitude and my prayers.
Thank you all. Best regards.
Mgr Olivier Ribadeau Dumas
Rector of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of lourdes