Relics of Saint Bernadette Soubirous and Lourdes Immersive Experience: Day 1
September 18
The Basilica is pleased to welcome the Relics of Saint Bernadette Soubirous and an Immersive Lourdes Experience from September 18-20, 2026. Join us for this special pilgrimage.
Relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous (of Lourdes)
Visit the Great Upper Church of the Basilica to venerate the relics of this great saint. In 1858, when St. Bernadette was a young girl in France, the Blessed Mother appeared to her and declared “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Lourdes Immersive Experience
Visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes on the lower level of the Basilica for an immersive experience similar to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. Pilgrims can touch part of the rock that makes up the grotto and cleanse themselves with water from the spring where Our Lady told us to go. “Go to the spring, drink of it and wash yourself there.” Lastly, light a candle and entrust your petitions to Our Blessed Mother.
Friday, September 18
| Time: | Location and Additional Information: |
|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | Mass – Crypt Church |
| 8:00 a.m. | Mass – Crypt Church |
| 9:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Public Veneration – Great Upper Church |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Confessions – Our Lady of Hostýn Chapel |
| 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Lourdes Experience – Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel |
| 11:35 a.m. | Rosary – Great Upper Church |
| 12:10 p.m.* | Opening Mass – Great Upper Church Robert Cardinal McElroy, Archbishop of Washington – Principal Celebrant & Homilist |
| 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Confessions – Memorial Hall and Our Lady of Hostýn Chapel |
| 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament – Crypt Church |
| 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Public Veneration – Great Upper Church |
| 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Lourdes Experience – Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel |
| 2:00 p.m. | Conference – Great Upper Church |
| 5:15 p.m. | Mass – Crypt Church |
| 6:00 p.m. | Basilica Closes |
*Livestreamed at www.nationalshrine.org/mass.
View the Schedules for Day 2 and Day 3 of Saint Bernadette at the National Shrine.
