Opera singer Andrea Bocelli performed at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France on Sun., July 16, 2023.
The singer performed a free concert for pilgrims, commemorating the final apparition of Our Lady to Bernadette, which occurred on the July 16 feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Bernadette felt called to the Grotto on July 16, 1858. During this 18th and final apparition, a fence prohibited Bernadette's access to the Massabielle grotto. She instead went to the other side of the grotto, where she saw Our Lady looking more beautiful than ever before.
“It felt as if I were in front of the Grotto, at the same distance as the other times, I only saw the Virgin, I have never seen her looking so beautiful!” Bernadette said.
According to the sanctuary's website, Bocelli's performance is part of a "cycle of performances in Marian shrines around the world."
Here is a clip from the concert below:
Hier soir, @AndreaBocelli, a rendu un hommage inoubliable à Marie à #Lourdes ❤️🙏
— Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes (@lourdes_france) July 17, 2023
Accompagné par le Chœur et l’Orchestre de Pau Pays de Béarn, dirigé par le maestro italien Carlo Bernini, la violoniste ukrainienne @APetryshak et la soprano française Clara Barbier Serrano 🎶 pic.twitter.com/3HOI4oL6w6
Bocelli issued a recorded statement prior to the event. He expresses his love for Our Lady of Lourdes and recounts a visit he made with his mother and grandmother as a child.
"I was eight years old when I went to Lourdes with my mother and grandmother. The one time I was able to visit this holy place, I had the privilege of bathing in the waters of Lourdes," Bocelli shares.
The singer then expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to share his "gift from heaven" (his voice) at Lourdes. Bocelli also shares his love for Our Lady of Lourdes.
Here is the video below:
Here is the full text of the video:
"I was eight years old when I went to Lourdes with my mother and grandmother. The one time I was able to visit this holy place, I had the privilege of bathing in the waters of Lourdes.
"I am happy to return to Lourdes after so many years to be able to give thanks, through the gift I received from heaven, for all that is extraordinary that has been given to me, and to thank the Virgin Mary, to whom I have always been extremely devoted, and to meet all those believers who would like to be present at this event."
"I also want to thank Pedro (Dançar Marketing's president) with whom I have had the opportunity to collaborate on other occasions, and who shares with me a great and deep-rooted faith.
"I thank you and send my greetings and a virtual hug to all while waiting to meet you in Lourdes."