In 1858, in the grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes in southern France, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl.
She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked that a chapel be built and for people to come in procession and told the girl to drink from a fountain in the grotto.
Lourdes has become the most famous shrine to Our Blessed Lady and people have travelled on pilgrimage since the days of the Apparitions.
The Bishop, priests and people of the Diocese of Salford have travelled to the Shrine of Lourdes each year as an organised pilgrimage since the 1920s.
You will find out more information about the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Diocesan Pilgrimage to this place in this section of the Diocesan Website.