Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s 11th-Inning Walk-Off Single Lifts Diamondbacks Over Reds in Extra-Inning Thriller

Dateline: Lourdes, France — August 24, 2025 Subheading: Record Crowds Converge on the Marian Shrine as the Sanctuary Marks the 152nd National Pilgrimage and Prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Year The small Pyrenean town of Lourdes is experiencing its busiest August in more than a decade, with organizers estimating over 30,000 pilgrims for the week-long celebrations surrounding the Feast of the Assumption. Hot, dry weather and a fully reopened Sanctuary — including the famed healing baths — have combined to create a surge in last-minute travel bookings and unprecedented search interest worldwide. Why the 2025 Pilgrimage Matters • 152nd National Pilgrimage: The historic gathering, first held in 1873, draws faithful from every continent. • Jubilee Countdown: Events double as a spiritual warm-up for the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, when five million visitors are expected. • Full Reopening: After phased pandemic restrictions, the Piscines (baths) reopened to all visitors last spring, restoring Lourdes’ signature immersion experience. Key Events on the Ground 1. Torchlight Marian Procession (Nightly, 9 p.m.) — Thousands process with candles down the Esplanade du Rosaire, chanting the Ave Maria in multiple languages. 2. International Mass (Aug 15, 9:30 a.m.) — Celebrated in the subterranean Basilica of St. Pius X with a 300-voice choir and clergy from 70 nations. 3. Blessed Sacrament Procession & Blessing of the Sick (Daily, 4:30 p.m.) — Nurses and volunteers accompany pilgrims seeking physical or spiritual healing. 4. Youth Gathering (Aug 14–16) — More than 7,000 teenagers camp at the Prairie, featuring testimony from recent Lourdes “miracle” recipients. Travel Tips for Late-Deciders • Rail Over Road: SNCF has added four extra TGV services from Paris to Lourdes between Aug 12-18 to ease projected traffic jams on the A64 motorway. • Book Night Visits: The grotto remains open 24/7; off-peak hours (10 p.m.–6 a.m.) offer shorter lines for the baths and confessionals. • Hydration Alert: Daily highs are hovering near 34 °C (93 °F). Free refill stations dot the sanctuary; reusable bottles are encouraged. Economic & Cultural Impact Local hoteliers report 98 % occupancy for the Assumption weekend, the highest since 2019. Restaurant owners have extended hours, and souvenir shops are stocking multilingual prayer booklets and Jubilee-branded rosaries. The influx provides an essential boost for a town where 70 % of jobs rely on pilgrimage tourism. Voices From the Pilgrimage • Sr. Anne-Marie, Hospitalité volunteer: “Seeing the baths fully open again feels like Lourdes is breathing normally after a long illness.” • Miguel Ramírez, first-time pilgrim from Mexico City: “I watched the rosary on livestream during lockdown. Being here in person surpasses every expectation.” Looking Ahead Sanctuary officials unveiled a new digital reservation platform for 2026 groups, anticipating sustained interest beyond the Jubilee. Construction has begun on an eco-friendly footbridge over the Gave de Pau River to improve crowd flow and accessibility. Bottom Line Whether you come seeking physical healing, spiritual renewal, or simply the communal experience of one of Christianity’s most storied shrines, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Lourdes. With record attendance, enhanced infrastructure, and global attention, the Marian city is poised to remain a focal point for faith-based travel long after the candles of August have burned down.