## The Encyclical *Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes* (July 2, 1957)

Published in French, the language of the apparitions, this encyclical was the last major document of Pope Pius XII’s pontificate (1939-1958). Dedicated to the first centenary of the apparitions of Lourdes (1858-1958), it is the most comprehensive papal document on Marian theology regarding apparitions and their pastoral value.

**Pope:** Venerable Pius XII (Eugénio Pacelli, 1939-1958)

**Document:** *Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes*, July 2, 1957

**Themes:** Centenary of the apparitions of Lourdes; Marian theology of pilgrimages

## Pius XII’s Marian Pontificate

Before delving into the encyclical, it is essential to recall that Pius XII was the pope who most expanded dogmatic Marian doctrine in the 20th century. His significant Marian actions include:

– **1942:** Consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (in response to Fátima)
– **1950:** Dogmatic definition of the Assumption in *Munificentissimus Deus*
– **1952:** Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart
– **1954:** Marian Year (centenary of the Immaculate Conception)
– **1954:** Definition of Mary’s Reign in *Ad Caeli Reginam*
– **1957:** *Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes* (Lourdes Centenary)

*Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes* represents the culmination of this Marian journey, a kind of Marian testament from Pius XII.

## Structure of the Encyclical

The encyclical is structured in four main parts:

**I. The Apparitions of Lourdes**

Pius XII recounts the eighteen apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous (February 11, July 16, 1858) and the identification of the Virgin as «the Immaculate Conception» (March 25, 1858). This is the “heavenly confirmation” of the dogmatic definition of 1854.

**II. Lourdes as a Sign of Our Time**

> *”Lourdes est unum ex signis temporum nostrum: Mater Dei, ad terrae loca humilia descendens, sicut nuntius Domini in pauper trium iuvenculae, doceat homines moderni temporis quod fundamentum vitae humanae aedificetur in fide simplicem et confidentia mater.”*

Lourdes is one of the signs of our time: Mother of God, descending to humble places on earth, like a messenger of the Lord to a poor young girl, she teaches men of this modern age that the foundation of human life is built on simple and maternal faith.

**III. The Miraculous Cures**

Pius XII confirms the value of the miraculous cures at Lourdes as “signs” of divine activity but warns against two extremes: rationalist skepticism that rejects any miracle, and popular credulity that claims every cure as miraculous. The Church submits each case to rigorous scrutiny by medicine and theology.

**IV. Lourdes and Pastoral Care for the Sick**

The most original part of the encyclical: Lourdes is not only a sanctuary of cures but also a sanctuary of meaning for Christian suffering. Those who are not physically healed are spiritually cured through the Christian sense of pain.

**Quote:**

*”Lourdes teaches us that human suffering, in union with Christ’s suffering, is a salvific work and obtains precious fruits for the community of believers. Mary, next to the Cross, is the Mother of suffering humans, not always freeing them from suffering, but giving them the meaning and purpose of her suffering.”*

**Lourdes and Post-Conciliar Mariology:**

The theology of Pius XII in *Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes* was taken up and developed by:

* **St. John Paul II** in *Salvifici Doloris* (1984): Mary next to the Cross as a model of Christian suffering
* **St. John Paul II** in 1992: instituting World Day of the Sick on February 11th, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
* **Benedict XVI** in 2008: visiting Lourdes for the 150th anniversary, delivering a speech on Marian theology in pilgrimages.

**Significance for Popular Devotion:**

Pius XII’s encyclical was crucial in legitimizing popular devotion to Lourdes, and by extension all Marian devotions at shrines. At a time when some intellectual currents proposed a “rationalist purification” of popular piety, Pius XII reaffirmed the theological validity of pilgrimages, cures, and popular Marian devotions, as long as they were focused on faith in Christ’s redemptive incarnation.

**Recommended Reading:**

* Mariology
* Munificentissimus Deus
* Ad Caeli Reginam
* Aparições Marianas
* Salvifici Doloris