Read the eight verses of the “Ave Maria des Vendéens”, a greeting on arrival at Our Lady of Lourdes published by Father Jean Gaignet in 1875. The Latin refrain is sung after each verse.
This page presents the 1875 “Greeting on arrival”, distinct from the modern DEV71 / V125 version. The French text is retained, with a translation below each verse. These translations convey the meaning; they are not official singable adaptations.
French lyrics and English translation
Verse 1
Français
Sur cette colline
Marie apparut :
Au front qu’elle incline
Rendons le salut :
English translation
On this hill
Mary appeared:
As she bows her head,
Let us offer our greeting.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Verse 2
Français
À l’enfant timide
Priant au vallon,
Au Gave rapide
Elle a dit son nom.
English translation
To the shy child
Praying in the valley,
Beside the swift Gave,
She spoke her name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Verse 3
Français
L’enfant le répète
Comme un doux écho ;
Le Gave lui prête
La voix de son flot.
English translation
The child repeats it
Like a gentle echo;
The Gave lends her
The voice of its flowing waters.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Verse 4
Français
La France l’écoute,
Se lève soudain,
Et se met en route,
Chantant ce refrain :
English translation
France hears her,
Rises suddenly,
And sets out on the road,
Singing this refrain.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Verse 5
Français
La voix maternelle
Dit : Venez ici !
Le peuple fidèle
Répond : Me voici !
English translation
The motherly voice
Says: Come here!
The faithful people
Reply: Here I am!
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Verse 6
Français
Un souffle de grâce
Pousse vers ce lieu ;
Ce souffle qui passe
Est celui de Dieu.
English translation
A breath of grace
Urges us towards this place;
This breath passing by
Is the breath of God.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Verse 7
Français
C’est notre Vendée
Qui vient à son tour
À l’Immaculée
Dire son amour.
English translation
It is our Vendée
Coming in its turn
To the Immaculate Virgin
To declare its love.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Verse 8
Français
Reçois la prière
De tes Pèlerins ;
Montre-toi leur Mère,
De tous fais des saints.
English translation
Receive the prayer
Of your pilgrims;
Show yourself their Mother,
Make saints of them all.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
Ave, ave, ave, Maria !
The origins of the Lourdes Ave Maria
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes dates the first performance of the Lourdes Ave Maria to 1873, during a pilgrimage from Vendée. Father Jean Gaignet, a director at the major seminary in Luçon, contributed its historical texts. His collection printed in Rodez in 1875 contains a narrative hymn of sixty stanzas and the eight-verse “Ave Maria des Vendéens”, a greeting on arrival reproduced here.
The Chantons en Église catalogue attributes the modern DEV71 / V125 version to Maurice Le Bas, published by Lethielleux. It is distinct from Gaignet’s historical text reproduced here.
What this pilgrimage hymn means
The verses describe pilgrims arriving and responding to Mary’s maternal invitation. They evoke Bernadette, the Gave river and the Immaculate Virgin, ending with a prayer for holiness. Their poetic images do not replace a detailed historical account of the apparitions. The Latin refrain “Ave Maria” means “Hail Mary”.
Questions about the Lourdes Ave Maria
Is this the Hail Mary prayer?
No. The Lourdes Ave Maria is a hymn with verses and a refrain. The Hail Mary is a separate prayer, although both address the Virgin Mary.
Why retain the French in every language?
The French text helps readers follow these verses when sung. The translation below each verse explains its meaning without changing the French words.
Can these translations be sung to the melody?
They are intended for understanding and meditation. Their metre and rhymes have not been systematically adapted to the music.
Sources and text version
Jean Gaignet’s historical text, 1875 edition
History of the processions at the Lourdes Sanctuary
Reference for the modern DEV71 / V125 version