Pius XII – Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes (1957): centenary of the apparitions and theology of pilgrimages
The encyclical Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes (July 2, 1957), published in French, the language of the apparitions, was the last major encyclical of the pontificate of Pius XII (1939-1958). Dedicated to the first centenary of the apparitions of Lourdes (1858-1958), it is the most complete papal document on the Marian theology of the apparitions and their pastoral value.
| Pope | Venerable Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli, 1939-1958) |
| Document | Encyclical Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes, July 2, 1957 |
| Topic | Centenary of the apparitions of Lourdes; Marian theology of pilgrimages |
The Marian pontificate of Pius XII
Before analyzing the encyclical, it is essential to recall that Pius XII was the pope who most expanded Mariology dogmatically in the twentieth century. His great Marian acts were:
- 1942: Consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (a response to Fatima)
- 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 the Queenship of Mary in Ad Caeli Reginam
- 1957: Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes (centenary of Lourdes)
Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes represents the crowning of this Marian journey, a kind of Marian testament of Pius XII.
Structure of the encyclical
The encyclical is organized into four main parts:
I. The apparitions of Lourdes
Pius XII narrates the eighteen apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous (February 11 – July 16, 1858) and the Virgin’s identification of herself as “the Immaculate Conception” (March 25, 1858). This is the confirmation “from Heaven” of the dogmatic definition of 1854.
II. Lourdes as a sign of the times
“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 times: the Mother of God, descending to humble places of the earth, as the messenger of the Lord to a poor young girl, teaches the men of modern times that the foundation of human life is built on simple faith and maternal trust.
III. The miraculous cures
Pius XII confirms the value of the miraculous cures of Lourdes as “signs” of divine activity, but warns against two extremes: the rationalist skepticism that rejects any miracle, and the popular credulity that claims every cure to be miraculous. The Church submits each case to the rigorous scrutiny of medicine and theology.
IV. Lourdes and the pastoral care of the sick
The most original part of the encyclical: Lourdes is not only a shrine of cures; it is a shrine of the meaning of Christian suffering. Those who are not healed physically are healed spiritually through the Christian meaning of pain.
“Lourdes docet nos quod dolor humanus, in unione cum dolore Christi, opus salvificum est et obtinet pretiosa fructus pro communitate fidelium. Maria iuxta Crucem est Mater hominum dolentium, non eos curat semper a sufferentia, sed donat eis sensum et finalitatem suae sufferentiae”
Lourdes teaches us that human pain, in union with the pain of Christ, is a salvific work and obtains precious fruits for the community of the faithful. Mary beside the Cross is the Mother of suffering men; she does not always heal them of suffering, but gives them the meaning and the purpose of their suffering.
Lourdes and post-conciliar Mariology
The theology of Pius XII in Le Pèlerinage de Lourdes would be taken up and deepened by:
- Saint John Paul II in Salvifici Doloris (1984): Maria iuxta Crucem as a model of Christian suffering
- Saint John Paul II in 1992: institution of the World Day of the Sick on February 11 (feast of Our Lady of Lourdes)
- Benedict XVI in 2008: visit to Lourdes for the 150th anniversary, with an address on the Marian theology of pilgrimages
Significance for popular devotion
The encyclical of Pius XII was crucial for theologically legitimizing popular devotion to Lourdes, and by extension all the Marian devotions of the shrines. At a time when some intellectual currents were proposing a “rationalist purification” of popular piety, Pius XII reaffirmed the legitimate theological value of pilgrimages, of cures, and of popular Marian devotions, provided that they are directed toward faith in the redemptive incarnation.
Further reading
Mariology | Munificentissimus Deus | Ad Caeli Reginam | Marian Apparitions | Salvifici Doloris
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