Introduction to the Rosary of Lourdes

Apostles’ Creed
Our Father
3 Hail Mary
Glory be to the Father

The Rosary is the quintessential prayer of the pilgrim in Lourdes. Every day at 3:30 PM, the Grotto resonates with this repetitive and soothing meditation. To properly enter into this prayer, it is appropriate to follow the traditional order established by the Church.

All you need to know about the Introduction to the Rosary

When to pray the introduction to the Rosary?

These prayers are recited at the very beginning of the Rosary, holding the cross (for the Apostles’ Creed) and the first beads, before beginning the decades of the mysteries.

What interpretation can be made of this order?

It is a journey: we begin by affirming our faith (Apostles’ Creed), we address the Father (Our Father), we greet the Mother (Hail Mary) for Faith, Hope, and Charity, and we give glory to the Trinity (Glory be).

To whom is this structure addressed?

To any Christian wishing to pray the Rosary in the tradition of the Catholic Church, in union with the millions of pilgrims of Lourdes.

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

The Credo, or “Apostles’ Creed”, is the summary of the Catholic faith. It is with this prayer that every Rosary at the Grotto begins, as if to lay the foundations of our prayer.

All you need to know about the Creed

When to pray the Creed?

At the beginning of the Rosary and during Sunday Mass. It is the solemn act of “profession of faith.”

What interpretation should be given to the Apostles’ Creed?

It is not a simple recitation, it is a commitment. By saying “I believe”, the faithful renew their baptism and their adherence to the truths revealed by Christ.

Who is this prayer addressed to?

To believers who want to affirm their Christian identity and unite themselves to the faith of the Church of all times.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Taught by Christ himself to his apostles, the Our Father is the quintessential Christian prayer. In Lourdes, it punctuates each decade of the Rosary, uniting pilgrims of all languages in the same divine filiation.

All about the Our Father

When to pray the Our Father?

At Mass, in the Rosary, in the morning and evening. It is the fundamental prayer that structures all Christian life.

What interpretation to make of the Lord’s Prayer?

It contains everything: the adoration of the Father, the acceptance of his will, the request for daily bread (material and spiritual) and the request for forgiveness and protection.

To whom is this prayer addressed?

To all the children of God. It is the prayer that makes us all brothers by turning us to the same Father.

Hail Mary (Ave Maria)

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

This is the prayer that resonates from the Grotto of Massabielle thousands of times a day. The “Hail Mary” echoes the words of the Angel Gabriel and Elizabeth.

All you need to know about the Hail Mary

When to pray the Ave Maria?

At any time: in the Rosary, the Angelus, or as a simple spontaneous greeting to the Virgin during the day.

What interpretation should be given to this prayer?

It is the greeting of the Angel (the Incarnation) followed by the supplication of the Church (request for protection for now and at death). It is the summary of Marian faith.

To whom is this prayer addressed?

To all men. It is the universal prayer par excellence to ask for the proximity of the Mother of God.

First Mystery: The Immaculate Conception

God Our Father, among all your creatures, you brought forth Mary, the perfect creature, “the Immaculate Conception.” Here, in Lourdes, she pronounced this name, and Bernadette repeated it.

The Immaculate Conception is a cry of hope: evil, sin, and death are no longer the victors. Mary, a precursory sign, dawn of salvation!

Our Lady of Lourdes, you are our refuge, we pray to you.
Our Father; 10 Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

This first mystery plunges us into the very heart of the message of Lourdes. “I am the Immaculate Conception”: it is by these words that the Lady revealed herself to Bernadette.

All you need to know about the First Mystery

When to pray this mystery?

It is ideally meditated at the beginning of the Rosary of Lourdes, or specifically on days dedicated to the Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday).

What interpretation should be made of the Immaculate Conception?

It is not only a dogma, it is the affirmation that beauty and purity are stronger than evil. It is the dawn of salvation that rises at the Grotto.

Who is this mystery for?

For those who feel crushed by sin or evil, and who seek a pure and luminous refuge to renew their hope.

Second Mystery: Mary, Mother and Confidante

Lord Jesus, you gave us Mary as Mother. She shared in your Passion and your Resurrection. Here, in Lourdes, she showed herself to Bernadette, saddened by our sins but radiant with your light.

Through her, we entrust to you our joys, our sorrows, our hopes, those of the sick, the caregivers, and the researchers, those of all people.

Our Lady of Lourdes, our sister and our mother, our confidante and our support in times of trial, we pray to you.
Our Father, who art in heaven; 10 Hail Mary, full of grace; Glory be to the Father.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

In this second moment of prayer, we turn to Mary as a compassionate Mother. In Lourdes, she showed herself to Bernadette not as distant, but as near.

All you need to know about the Second Mystery

When to pray this mystery?

In second position in the Rosary of Lourdes, or when you feel the need for a maternal presence in times of trial.

What interpretation should be given to Mary as Confidante?

This recalls the intimate dialogues between Bernadette and the Virgin. Mary is not a distant statue, but a mother who listens, understands, and carries our burdens to her Son.

Who is this mystery for?

Specifically for the sick, caregivers, researchers, and all those who carry heavy crosses and seek support.

Third Mystery: The Holy Spirit and the Church

Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of love and unity. Here in Lourdes, through Bernadette, Mary asked for a chapel to be built and to come in procession.

Inspire the Church that Christ built on the faith of Peter: gather it in unity and give all its members, nourished by the bread of life, the knowledge to face this international health emergency full of faith.

Our Lady of Lourdes, you who are filled with the Holy Spirit, model of Christians and maternal face of the Church, we pray to you.
Our Father; 10 Hail Marys; Glory be to the Father.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

The third mystery reminds us of the ecclesial dimension of the apparitions. Mary asked Bernadette to “build a chapel” and to come in procession.

Learn all about the Third Mystery

When to pray this mystery?

In the middle of the rosary, or particularly during the feasts of Pentecost and for the intentions of the Pope and the Church.

What interpretation can be made of this prayer?

It connects Lourdes to the universal Church. “Building a chapel” means building the Christian community united by the Holy Spirit, as solid as the rock of Massabielle.

Who is this mystery for?

For the faithful concerned about the unity of the Church, for priests, and for all those who want to pray for the Christian community.

Fourth Mystery: Thanksgiving and Healings

For so many graces received, for all the conversions, all the pardons, all the healings, for the vocations and promises that you have confirmed or brought forth here, for the joy of service that you allow us to taste, and for the strength and hope that you place in our hearts in these troubled times.

Our Lady of Lourdes, help of Christians, we thank you.
Our Father; 10 Hail Marys; Glory be to the Father.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Lourdes is the land of miracles, but especially that of healed hearts. This fourth mystery is a hymn of gratitude.

All about the Fourth Mystery

When to pray this mystery of Thanksgiving?

After receiving a grace, a healing, or simply to give thanks for being present in Lourdes (physically or spiritually).

What interpretation should be made of this mystery?

It is the recognition that every gift comes from God. In Lourdes, the “miracles” are also interior (conversions, restored peace). It is the time for “Thank you”.

To whom is this mystery addressed?

To those who have been heard, to the miraculous, but also to those who want to cultivate the virtue of gratitude despite the trials.

Fifth Mystery: Prayer for Humanity

With all our human brothers and sisters, with the peoples yearning for peace and justice, with the young people seeking their path, You who appeared so young to the young Bernadette, with the victims of illnesses, disabilities, failures, with those who have reason to despair, and those who mourn a loved one.
And for those who have been taken by this disease.

Our Lady of Lourdes, we pray to you!
Our Father – 10 Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

The last mystery of this series opens our hearts to the dimensions of the world. Like Mary looking at Bernadette with tenderness, we pray here for all humanity.

All you need to know about the Fifth Mystery

When to pray this mystery?

To conclude the Rosary, opening our personal prayer to the dimensions of the world and current events.

What interpretation should be made of this universal prayer?

It embodies the universal motherhood of Mary. In Lourdes, no one is excluded: young people, the sick, nations at war, the deceased. It is the prayer of human solidarity.

Who is this mystery for?

For all those who want to carry the world in their prayer, intercede for peace, and entrust the deceased to divine mercy.

Ave Maria of Lourdes: French lyrics, translation and history

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.

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.