The rector of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, Msgr. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, said that the damage caused by the fire is very significant.
Newsroom (16/07/2022 11:00 AM, Gaudium Press) The Chapels of Light at the Shrine of Lourdes, France, where pilgrims deposit their candles, suffered a fire during last week, Saturday July 10 into Sunday morning. Half of Chapels were destroyed by the fire, which, so far, is believed to have started accidentally.
Since it is a pastoral priority of the French Marian shrine to allow pilgrims to express their devotion by lighting a candle, four of the seven chapels have been opened to the public while the other three are being rebuilt. In addition, burners will be installed in the Shrine’s meadow in the coming weeks.
A new blow for the Shrine
The rector of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, said that the damage caused by the fire is very significant. According to his calculations the cost for the complete reconstruction of the chapels and the replacement of the material will be at least 1.5 million euros.
The event is “a new blow for the Sanctuary“, said the religious in a post on social networks, recalling that the Sanctuary of Lourdes is still recovering from the consequences of the health crisis. The number of pilgrims who have returned to the Sanctuary is still half of the regulars who attended the site before 2020.
The Chapels of Light
Aiming to provide a silent environment conducive to pilgrims’ prayer, the Chapels of Light have been located since 2018 in front of the Sanctuary pools. They were designed to allow pilgrims to light their candles, even during busier periods.
The set consists of seven chapels, including one dedicated to the distribution of candles. Together, the other six can burn around 4,000 candles simultaneously. According to information from the Sanctuary of Lourdes, 380 tons of candles are burned annually in this place. (EPC)
Compiled by Florence MacDonald
Related Images:
