What Is Lourdes Water? The Story of the Spring at the Grotto

Pilgrims have been bringing water home from Lourdes for more than a hundred and fifty years. But what is Lourdes water, where does it come from, and what does the Church actually say about it?

The spring at the Grotto

In 1858 a fourteen-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous saw Our Lady eighteen times in a rough cave called the Grotto of Massabielle, beside the river at Lourdes in southern France. On 25 February, at the ninth apparition, Our Lady told her to go and drink at the spring and to wash in it.

There was no spring to be seen. Bernadette scraped at the ground, and a little muddy water gathered. Over the following days it cleared and began to flow. That spring is still flowing today, and it is the source of Lourdes water. You can read the full story in our post The Grotte de Massabielle, Lourdes: History, Meaning and Why God Chose This Cave.

What the Church says about it

Lourdes water is simply water from that spring. It is not a medicine, and the Church does not teach that the water itself has any power. What the Church recognises is that many pilgrims have come to Lourdes in faith, and that a number of healings, examined carefully by doctors, have been declared miraculous. The water is a sign that points to Our Lady's invitation to pray, to turn back to God and to trust in him.

How pilgrims use it

• They drink a little at the Grotto, or bless themselves with it.
• They bring a bottle home for family and friends who are ill, or who could not make the journey.
• They keep it in a clean bottle in a place of prayer at home, and use it with respect.

A small space for it can help, and How to Create a Prayer Corner at Home has some simple ideas.

A taste of Lourdes

For many families the Malespine lozenge is one of the best-loved treats to come home from Lourdes. Ours are made with genuine Lourdes water. The mint lozenges come in an 80g bag (€8), the lemon and anise in a 130g bag (€10), and the classic round blue tin holds 100g (€19).

Marian Holy Art is an Irish Catholic company offering unique religious gifts and devotional items inspired by Lourdes, Knock and the Catholic faith. Our products are available exclusively through Marian Holy Art and are sold at Knock Shrine, Ireland.